Hitching and unhitching a 5th wheel

Perhaps you are talking about a Pullrite Superglide hitch? If so, the manual says the hookup and release angle must be no more than 16 degrees.

I've heard of people, in an emergency, pulling the pins on the hitch and driving out from under the kingpin, then removing the hitch (not leaving it dangling from the kingpin). As you can guess hooking back up would be a whole different kettle of fish, depending on the situation.

Sorry guys I should have been more clear. With the length of my drive by my unattached garage I would have to park my 5th wheel at an angle. It wouldn't be at a full 90 degree maybe 20 30 degree to trailer.

Yes you can hook up on an angle. Do you have room for the rear of the trailer to swing in and out of the parking spot as you park or leave at an angle?

Some hitches work better than others, when hooking up/ unhooking at an angle. It is more noticeable when the truck is uneven with the trailer.

Jerry

JohnnyT wrote:
I think he is asking if the Tow Vehicle has to be in line with the trailer to hitch and unhitch. I have only ever had goosenecks and the answer with a gooseneck is no.

JohnnyT

Im not sure what you are thinking here but I back the goose neck in the shop all the time and the pickup is at least on a 60 degree angle from the trailer. as long as the hitch is over the ball you can back in at any angle. Granted it is easier to back straight on it is possible. Our 5th wheel has the concave corners and you are able to get 80 degree turns the small campsites here are tight to back into so the truck is always 45 degrees or so when unhooking and hooking up.

Be very careful you don't poke a hole with the corner of your tailgate. You might consider removing it.

I'd be concerned about popping the tires off the rims, depending on terrain.

Or might break the bead and lose pressure, at the least.

Em.... Actually, as others have alluded to, it depends. With my current Pullrite, no, I can't.

With the old RBW I had, yes I could, and I did more then once. The side pressure on the tires of the rig is no higher then when you are jack-knifing and turning around.

swburbguy wrote:
Sorry guys I should have been more clear. With the length of my drive by my unattached garage I would have to park my 5th wheel at an angle. It wouldn't be at a full 90 degree maybe 20 30 degree to trailer.

Works just fine with my basic Reese hitch.

calamus wrote:

JohnnyT wrote:
I think he is asking if the Tow Vehicle has to be in line with the trailer to hitch and unhitch. I have only ever had goosenecks and the answer with a gooseneck is no.

JohnnyT

Im not sure what you are thinking here but I back the goose neck in the shop all the time and the pickup is at least on a 60 degree angle from the trailer. as long as the hitch is over the ball you can back in at any angle. Granted it is easier to back straight on it is possible. Our 5th wheel has the concave corners and you are able to get 80 degree turns the small campsites here are tight to back into so the truck is always 45 degrees or so when unhooking and hooking up.

Not sure why not with a gooseneck? My equipment trailer I one time needed to really jackknife it so unhooked and backed my truck under at approx 110 degrees so driving forward actually made the trailer go backwards. Can't do that with my 5th wheel camper converted to gooseneck as it hits the cab at approx 75 degrees. If I had an 8 ft bed it would be possible to hitch at 90 degrees.