I saw a picture the other day on a travel blog of a 5th wheel trailer sitting in a campsite with the 5th wheel hitch hanging from the kingpin. It looked like the owner had parked the trailer, took out the pins that attach the hitch to the truck bed, raised up the nose of the trailer, and drove out from under it. Thus, freeing the truck bed from the hitch, and in effect storing the hitch hanging from the kingpin.This is the first time I've ever seen this, and wandered if any of you have ever done it, or seen it. Also, it looks like it could be a useful option, at least sometimes. What do you think? Is there any down side to doing this?

I have seen others do this. I leave mine in the bed of the truck with a toneau cover protecting it from the elements. Not sure if it puts any extra stress on the hitch. I would rather keep mine in the truck. If I need to use the bed to haul something, I just take it out and put it in the garage.

If the hitch is rated at 3,000 pounds pin weight, I think it can handle another 80 pounds or so hanging from it.Fred.

Hitch weight X's five feet = a lot of weight pulling down on a frame that's designed to handle weight pushing up... I don't/wouldn't do it... If you need the bed space, set the hitch on the ground, pic table, etc...

I would tend to agree with Fred on this one. With bumps in the road that hitch gets a lot of pressure in either direction.

I have seen others do this as well. :)

Leaving 5th Wheel Hitch Hanging on Kingpin | Good Sam Community

29 Replies

deleted-2
Explorer
May 06, 2013
Getting tired of heaving the hitch head around trying to find a place to store it.

I think I'm gonna try leaving the hitch hanging at our storage lot.
The guy next to ours does it says it's easier.

Guess I can find\make a cover for the head so the sun won't trash it.
Campinghoss
Explorer II
May 06, 2013
When I store my fiver for the season I let the hitch ride up out of the bed with the trailer. I then have a old wood table that I place under the hitch and lower it down on the table releasing all the pressure off of the kingpin. Then I just reverse when putting the hitch back in the truck. Since I store it under a shelter weather is not an issue.
rjsurfer
Explorer
May 06, 2013
RCMAN46 wrote:
imjustdave wrote:
I agree would like to know how guys end up hooking it back up? Do you get lucky and line it all up or do you drop it back in the bed and hook it all back up and the reconnect.

It is no more difficult than hitching a bumper pull ball hitch.

I back under it trying to get it close then I hop on the bed pull the release lever to drop it and move the hitch assembly by hand to make it align with the rails. You can lift one end of the hitch at a time to muscle it place fairly easily.

Ron W.
RCMAN46
Explorer
May 06, 2013
imjustdave wrote:
I agree would like to know how guys end up hooking it back up? Do you get lucky and line it all up or do you drop it back in the bed and hook it all back up and the reconnect.

It is no more difficult than hitching a bumper pull ball hitch.
0rion
Explorer
May 05, 2013
imjustdave wrote:
I agree would like to know how guys end up hooking it back up? Do you get lucky and line it all up or do you drop it back in the bed and hook it all back up and the reconnect.

I raise the 5er and back under it. I can see my rails in the bed so I just get them under the hitch and lower the hitch onto the rails. Then it's as simple as pushing it side to side into the holes. I have dropped it right in the holes on numerous occasions. With a little practice you'll be surprised at how accurate you can be with it.
valhalla360
Navigator
May 05, 2013
imjustdave wrote:
I agree would like to know how guys end up hooking it back up? Do you get lucky and line it all up or do you drop it back in the bed and hook it all back up and the reconnect.

Raise it a little high.

Back under as best you can and drop it as close as possible. Then its just a matter of wrassling it into place. You would have to do that if you lift it in by hand but the worst of the lifting it done by the landing gear.

Still far easier than lifting it in and out of the bed by hand.

I will agree with the others in regards to locking it while hanging, so someone doesn't accidentaly release it.

No worries at all about it being enough weight to damage the trailer frame.
fpresto
Explorer
May 05, 2013
dave17352 wrote:
Anybody hang there B@W companion hitch with the base attached from their Kingpi

I did it for years until I built my garage with a hoist. I even called B&W and asked about possible damage to the hitch. They laughed and said that the normal stress from towing was far higher. They also indicated that they could not recommend the practice due to liability issues. If a child or an adult for that matter released the hitch and was injured they could be sued. It is safer to just not recommend the practice. If you do it make sure that you put a lock on the hitch release arm.
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
May 05, 2013
Allworth wrote:
Stop overthinking it and just do it if it fits your storage method!

Best answer here!.;)

.
imjustdave
Explorer
May 05, 2013
I agree would like to know how guys end up hooking it back up? Do you get lucky and line it all up or do you drop it back in the bed and hook it all back up and the reconnect.
dave17352
Explorer
May 04, 2013
Anybody hang there B@W companion hitch with the base attached from their Kingpi

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Leaving 5th Wheel Hitch Hanging on Kingpin

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