Hitch storage

valhalla does the same as I. :B

I cannot see getting into a big stew over this issue.

LIKE2BUILD wrote:

Ernie,
Yes, you can certainly leave the hitch hanging from the kingpin. The tough part is going to come when you try to back up under the 5er and line up the hitch with the 4 pucks in the bed. My guess is that will be a very tricky endeavor.

Actually pretty easy...

Back up as close as you can drop the hitch till it's sitting in the bed and then release the jaws and pull forward to get some room. At that point you just have to pull it into position without lifting it from ground and over the tailgate.

I have left my 5th wheel hitch hanging on the pin many times. Especially if I am going to be at a campground for several days or weeks and want use of the bed or cover the bed with my Tonneau cover.

As for putting the hitch back into the pucks I do not find it any more difficult than hitching a conventional ball hitch trailer. With the help of the DW to guide me I am usually spot on.

I use the guide points I have in my rear window and windshield mirror and the center line on the trailer to guide me back. Then all the DW has to do is tell me when to stop backing.

ependydad wrote:
My new hitch doesn't come apart into 2 pieces and is too heavy to remove by myself. I do exactly what the OP described:



That said, I priced out the Mopar Curt hitch and it seemed awfully expensive for what it is. I'd consider a different puck-mounted hitch.

I have a Trailer Saver as well... I use a tractor, place on my little trailer, store in the barn! The trailer tongue is removable, to conserve space!

A small A-Frame would serve the same purpose as the tractor...lift hitch out of truck, move truck, roll the trailer under hitch, place on trailer, put in storage!

Cummins12V98 wrote:

mtofell1 wrote:
I leave mine hanging but do support the majority of the weight with a jack stand. The jaws of my B/W hitch bound up once after hanging for a few months and I was afraid leaving it hanging may have caused it.

Most likely did not bind up as you needed to back against the kingpin and pin the hitch handle open and gently pull away.

Yep, once I got it in the truck and was able to do that it released. I was just in a bit of a spot as I had to line it up perfectly to get it in the truck. Usually, I just back under it, lower the 5th until the hitch sits in the bed, release it, pull forward, lug it into position and latch it, then back up and hookup.

mtofell1 wrote:
I leave mine hanging but do support the majority of the weight with a jack stand. The jaws of my B/W hitch bound up once after hanging for a few months and I was afraid leaving it hanging may have caused it.

Most likely did not bind up as you needed to back against the kingpin and pin the hitch handle open and gently pull away.

I leave mine hanging but do support the majority of the weight with a jack stand. The jaws of my B/W hitch bound up once after hanging for a few months and I was afraid leaving it hanging may have caused it.

The Andersen is only 35# and can be hung on the wall.

Ernie Fergler wrote:
Traded tv awhile back , and the new one came with a factory hitch. Haven't needed to remove the hitch yet but the day will come. The shipping weight of the hitch is over200 lbs; too much for me to lift/ carry by myself. Was wondering if anyone ever left their hitch hanging from the kingpin on the trailer.? Simply release the frame latches, lift the landing gear, and drive away. Seems like alot of weight to be hanging,though. Anybody ever try it? The only other way i can think to get it out would be to disassemble it. Looks like it breaks down in 5 or 6 pieces. Vehicle is a '16 Ram dualie, 8 ft bed, w/ Mopar (curt) 25K hitch, 4wd. Anxious to hear your thoughts.
Ernie

Ernie,
Yes, you can certainly leave the hitch hanging from the kingpin. The tough part is going to come when you try to back up under the 5er and line up the hitch with the 4 pucks in the bed. My guess is that will be a very tricky endeavor.

I have the exact same hitch. My solution is similar to Hornet28 and I hung a chain hoist from a rafter in the garage. I sling a 1" wide nylon lift strap around the hitch handles and use the chain hoist to lift the hitch high enough to drive away. Next I lower it onto a furniture dolly I bought at Menards for $10 and roll it over to a corner of the garage.

The nice thing about the chain hoist is I don't have to be perfectly centered to reinsert the hitch into the pucks. I back up until close and then as I lower the hitch the chain has enough movement that I just push it in the right direction as it comes down and the pins slide into the pucks.

"That said, I priced out the Mopar Curt hitch and it seemed awfully expensive for what it is. I'd consider a different puck-mounted hitch."

YEP the Mopar is just a relabeled CURT and YES there are FAR better hitches available that won't cause Chucking that this style causes with the heads pivot point several inches below the kingpin connection.

Besides it's Made in China. Doubters simply read Curt's product origin statement.


OP hang it from your pin box! FACT is there are at times lifting forces far greater when towing that can occur.