removing fifth wheel hitch from truck bed
I have heard some of you describe how your hitch can be removed by lifting it with the trailers front jacks....then leaving it hanging from the trailer.... can someone walk me through this?
Forum Discussion
If on a dead level spot, make sure you have enough lift to clear the tail of the truck and it will raise several inches when the weight of the trailer comes off the truck. You'll need at least a couple inches of lift. Clearing the tailgate going both ways takes a bit of planning ahead.
Unhitch the trailer from the truck.
Move the truck out so you can get to the hitch.
Remove the hitch pins from the bed rails and store in a safe place.
Above can be eleminated if you are agile enough to remove the hitch pins from the hitch rails with unhooking.
CAREFULLY rehook the trailer to the hitch.
SLOWLY lift the trailer. As you see the trailer just starting to lift the hitch STOP. Use a large screwdriver or crowbar gently lift on each of the four points where the hitch pins usually live.
Give the trailer a little more UP and continue to monitor the progress of the hitch. Use the screwdriver or crowbar as necessary to assure the hitch comes off the rails evenly. Any hang ups bring the trailer down. A second or two on the up switch at a time should be good. Too much up at a time and the hitch can bind and be a real bear to get back in place.
Once the hitch is clear of the rails and high enough to pass over the rear of the truck and down tailgate, pull forward slowly just to be sure.
Puttin it back in is a bit more difficult unless you can drop the hitch close to where the hitch pins go and use the crowbar or brute strength to set the hitch in the holes.
Unhitch the trailer from the truck.
Move the truck out so you can get to the hitch.
Remove the hitch pins from the bed rails and store in a safe place.
Above can be eleminated if you are agile enough to remove the hitch pins from the hitch rails with unhooking.
CAREFULLY rehook the trailer to the hitch.
SLOWLY lift the trailer. As you see the trailer just starting to lift the hitch STOP. Use a large screwdriver or crowbar gently lift on each of the four points where the hitch pins usually live.
Give the trailer a little more UP and continue to monitor the progress of the hitch. Use the screwdriver or crowbar as necessary to assure the hitch comes off the rails evenly. Any hang ups bring the trailer down. A second or two on the up switch at a time should be good. Too much up at a time and the hitch can bind and be a real bear to get back in place.
Once the hitch is clear of the rails and high enough to pass over the rear of the truck and down tailgate, pull forward slowly just to be sure.
Puttin it back in is a bit more difficult unless you can drop the hitch close to where the hitch pins go and use the crowbar or brute strength to set the hitch in the holes.
