Proper kingpin height for hitching

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Hiking Hunter wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
Got to ask why this will not work with a Curt hitch, when it is the recomeded method for all other 5th wheel hitch.

avvidclif1 is right...

The Curt Q20 is a different kind of hitch and is not hitched up like other hitches. Some people who have had other brands of hitches have trouble with this. I did too, until I realized the reason.
Most fifth wheel hitch plates “fall back” at an angle to provide a “ramp” for the trailer hitch plate to ride up on when hitching. This doesn’t work very well for the Curt hitch because of the way it is made. The Curt hitch has a solid steel shank that is affixed to the hitch plate that extends down into a thick, rigid, rubber mount. This mount provides damping and prevents most “chucking and bucking” prevalent in many hitches. When the hitch is not coupled, the "resting" or "static" position of the hitch plate is parallel to the ground instead of tilting back like most hitches. The plate does have a slight bevel at the trailing edge of the hitch plate. When you are hitching to the Curt hitch, I have found it is best to elevate the trailer pin so that the hitch plate is almost at the same height as the truck hitch plate – within ½”. Most other hitches are a little more forgiving on the height because they will elevate the trailer 1-3 inches with the “Ramp”.

Not according to the Curt Q20 Owners Manual pg. 3 & 4 'Coupling' Section

Pg. 3
. Adjust the front trailer lifting jacks so the trailer's kingpin skid plate is approximately 1/2" below the top surface of 5th wheel
skid plate. Hooking up in this manner helps ensure proper
engagement of the trailer kingpin to most 5th wheel systems.
Never lower the trailer's kingpin into the 5th wheel hitch head.

Pg. 4
.Back-up the towing vehicle while remaining centered and aligned to trailer's kingpin. The trailer's kingpin skid plate will compress the towing vehicle's suspension and ramp up onto the 5th wheel skid plate

Pretty much sounds like hitching is the same ...trailer king pin plate lower than 5th wheel hitch plate...back in/up onto hitch

Granted the 1" to 2" might be a bit too low for some hitches.....but king pin plate lower than 5th wheel hitch is a good method that will help eliminate some issues

Well, that's what I said - reread my last two sentences.

The difference with the Curt hitch is that the ramp on the trailing edge is very steep (for the reasons I stated before). That requires a closer VERTICAL coupling spacing between the plates. If you try to raise your fiver 2-3" with the CURT ramp you end up bowing the front legs back because it "pushes" the camper instead of raising it - not good. In addition, I've noticed that if I take (practically) all the hitching weight off the plate and I don't expect the ramp to raise the camper at all, it hitches very smoothly, easily and without putting backward "push" on the camper.

No matter what type of hitching method is used, it's always best to get out and check to look for high hitching. Also do a pull test.