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fuquatj's avatar
fuquatj
Explorer
May 03, 2013

Leaving 5th Wheel Hitch Hanging on Kingpin

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?

29 Replies

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  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    May 03, 2013
    Golden_HVAC wrote:
    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.

    3000 lbs of pin weight sits on the hitches top plate and has zero to do with the hitch hanging from the jaws. The jaws job doesn't carry weight.
    I would recommend contacting the hitch maker for their input on hanging the hitch from the jaws. Some may do so and some didn't. Give them a 1-800.
  • romore's avatar
    romore
    Explorer II
    May 03, 2013
    I do it without any qualms. IMHO, that is minor compared to the stresses of everyday towing.Sure beats trying to pick up the hitch with this 60+ year old back.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    May 03, 2013
    I have seen quite a few of them in RV parks and in RV storage units. I have not done it but would have no concerns about doing it. The frame is plenty strong enough to handle that relatively small amount of weight hanging there.
  • phillyg's avatar
    phillyg
    Explorer II
    May 03, 2013
    I had to do it for the first time this year. Won't bore you with the whys. I asked the same question and got a lot of confirmations from folks who have done this. It was relatively easy to get the truck out from under, and when I last saw the FW as I drove away, the hitch was hanging nicely. When I go back next month I hope to see it just the way I left it. Time will tell LOL.
  • dave17352's avatar
    dave17352
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    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.
  • Puddles's avatar
    Puddles
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    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...
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    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.
  • YnotTurbo's avatar
    YnotTurbo
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    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.

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