Any good ideas on how to easily pull the hitch out of the truck bed so I can use truck for other activity?I need to temporarily remove my Reese 16K tube slider. I know to release it from the rails I only need to pull the 4 cross rail pins, but any ideas on how to get it easily out? (If that's possible). I'am thinking using a pulley to the beam in garage ceiling, then lower the hitch assembly to dolly on floor after truck is pulled away.(Would have to find a pulley system)I was advised the hitch weighs about 180 lbs??? I'm good- but not that good!I have also read that some simply hook it to the king pin on the trailer, then pull the pins and drive off leaving it hanging from the trailer king pin. I worry that would put some significant downward strain on the pin and then I would have to find some way to lower it to a dolly or ground level.Mamma has assured me she will contribute no effort to this exercise other than to laugh at me during the process- shes good at that --and my Geritol tonic says on the label I should never strain myself! So I got to figure this one out. Help!I suppose there is no way to train a hitch to simply step out of the bed on to the garage floor huh?

Get a folding engine hoist ( cherry picker) with an extension for the boom.

Mine is hanging on the king pin. Surely the few pounds it weighs compared to the 1800 pin weight will not damage the fifth wheel. :hI use the landing gear to raise it out of the bed rails.

I lift mine out. It's two pieces. I take off the "head" and then remove the "base".

I have a Husky that has a head that can be removed. Take the head off, and then the slide assembly. Not light but doable.Doug

You might find this topic interesting......http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27650921.cfm

Removing 5th wheel Hitch from pick up bed | Good Sam Community

huron52
Explorer
Apr 28, 2014
I made a small wooden table the same height as the tailgate, slide the hitch over on to the table, slide the table out of the way.
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Apr 28, 2014
~
fpresto
Explorer
Apr 27, 2014
danskool wrote:
Does anyone just crank it up to the ceiling and leave it?

I do that but I don't leave it hanging from the winch. I put a hatch in the ceiling and mounted the winch to the main beam. I open the hatch, hoist the hitch from the truck into the overhead through the hatch, put two 2x4s across the rafters, lower it onto the 2x4s so the weight is not held by the winch and then close the hatch. It takes longer to type it than it does to store the hitch.
3_dog_nights
Explorer
Apr 27, 2014
After checking with mfg to make sure it would not damage anything I left it on the pin. Reported experience a while back

report clicky
RollandB
Explorer
Apr 27, 2014
My biggest concern for storing near the ceiling would be if the trussed have enough strength. I had a convertible with a hardtop than Installed a manual lift and stored it that way. It's weight was about 150lbs. I devised a way of securing it once it was up there. Even though I never had a problem with the lift I always was on edge when taking it off or on as I didn't want it damaged or the roadster.
danskool
Explorer
Apr 27, 2014
I have 12 foot garage ceilings. I like the electric winch 110v idea. Does anyone just crank it up to the ceiling and leave it? Why not right? why lower it back down to a furniture Dolley to only push it around.

Lastly, Not one picture on this thread.. Why? nobody has an iphone? ha.
waltbennett
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Got you all beat! I'll be 70 on May 4th and just put my Curt 20k back on the bed of my Ford. Kind of cheat a little as the Curt comes apart and each piece only weighs about 60 lbs or so. I take it off for the winter & put it under the 5er. During the summer, I usually leave it on the king pin & use the landing gear to let it down onto the bed, release it, then lift the 5er back up. Pull the truck forward and then mount the hitch. Scooting the hitch around to reconnect it isn't difficult at all.
SpoiledRotten
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
I have a Harbor Freight electric winch running up through my carport ceiling, mounted to the rafters in the attic. I pull under the winch, lift my hitch and then drive out from under it before lowering it to the carport floor. Simple. Reverse actions for installing hitch.

Before getting the winch, I'd take it out of the truck in two parts.
Alley_Fox
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Before I bought my hitch I did a lot of research on all the brands, pros/cons and options available. R&R was a consideration as I've had a hip replaced and some knee rebuilding done and I'm also on the upside of 70. In addition to being one of the best hitch systems on the market, the B&W Companion is moderately easy to remove and reinstall. I can do it without any help or lifting equipment if I need to. I have a hoist and lift system with an electric winch but I often just pull the hitch myself as it's pretty easy. I've looked at the Anderson setup but I already have my B&W and I'll probably stick with that.
americanrascal
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
I like the electric hoist. But as Momma has told me I can't spend any more on this project it looks like I'll have to sit on Santa's lap around Thanksgiving sometime and ask him for the electric hoist. That might work.