How to remove hitch from TV -- Use the FW ???

I just use the front end loader on my tractor and set it in the barn. No pain, no strain. :B

TenOC wrote:
I am new to FW. Moving from a TT to a FW in a few days. I am worried about removing the Demco Autoslide hitch from the TV. When talking to a neighbor who does NOT have a FW, he suggested to simply leave the hitch connected to the king pin and remove the bolts that hold the hitch to the TV. When raise up the FW with hitch attached and leave the hitch attached to the king pin while I store the FW. I think this will work when I unhook.

But I can see a major problem when I attempt to hookup. After I back the TV under the hitch and lower the FW, will the kingpin release from the hitch so I can re-attach the hitch to the TV. When I use the leaver to release the jaws of the hitch, can I then simply raise the FW out of the hitch or will it hang-up . . . . :h

Do any of you FW owners use the FW to remove (lift) the hitch from the TV?

1. As others have said, the weight is not a problem. Frame is designed for =much= heavier loads. ('Course, if it's a Lippert, then all bets are off. :B)

2. Wrap the hitch with a small tarp to protect from weather.

3. Use a hoist of some sort, come-along, chain hoist or engine hoist, to lift it out and put it on a cart of some sort. I found a cheap engine hoist for $100 that also came with a stand. Sold the stand for $50. I did have to modify the lift arm to get enough reach into the bed, so that's where the $50 went. $10 1k lb cap furniture dolly at Harbor Freight to drop it on. Other guys use a shop cart, either home-made or bought, that's about the same height as the bed and store the hitch on that. Use the lower shelf for storing other RV "stuff".

4. Find a local teen, or two, and give them a few to lift it in/out for you. :-)

Lyle

I do it. If the pin won't stand a couple of hundred pounds hanging off it sure won't handle the stresses of everyday driving. If you are worried about the ravages of weather spray it with a rust inhibitor.

I have seen hitches hanging from the pin box in storage and also occasionally RV parks from what appeared to be people on extended stays. Pin boxes and frames are designed for pin weights of thousands of pounds and a hitch of 150-250 pounds is nothing. Hitches are made to withstand the weather. Many sit uncovered in the bed of the truck year round. I don't see either concern being an issue.

I've done this several times with our Curt non-slider and not had any problems. Since the hitch breaks down into two pieces, I've not done it a lot though.

I'd be concerned with leaving the hitch exposed to the weather, but considering the forces that the pin box and kingpin are designed to withstand, the weight of the hitch hanging is nothing.

I very rarely take mine out and I sure wouldn't hang it from the pin my Pullrite weights 230lbs I use a come along suspend from reinforced rafter in the garage and put it on a furniture dolly and move it out of the way then put it back when done using the bed.

djousma wrote:
For me, I store my trailer at a storage lot, and didn't want to leave it hanging indefinitely.

I will be storing my FW at my house on a 5 acre lot. I am also concern about the weight hanging on the king pin and the hitch exposed to the rain/snow weather.

I have the same demco hitch. I had the same concerns. What I did was to buy a simple chain hoist, and furnature dolly from harbor freight. I looped the chain hoist over couple rafters in my garage to remove/install it as needed. I store it on the dolly so I can move it around the garage. What you suggest will work, and other guys do it. For me, I store my trailer at a storage lot, and didn't want to leave it hanging indefinitely.