5th wheel lifting bracket

[twinstick]

Demco makes a 5th wheel lifting bracket that looks really nice. Only problem is it's $50. I have a winch in the ceiling of my basement, that for years I've used a strap to pull my hitch out. With my new b&w hitch it would be pretty difficult to use a strap. A friend and I made a few of these lifting bracket for ourselves. Only have a couple dollars in them, and they seem to work really well. They're modeled after the ones from demco, with a few changes.

[fj12ryder]

My concern with the B&W hitch would be the stress put on the rubber blocks that support the head. Seems like the hitch would be trying to pull the rubber loose while hanging there.

[2012Coleman]

Me Again wrote:
I am going to send B&W a question about lifting that way. Chris

I use the same bracket to lift my B&W slider out, but I never considered this question. Thanks for asking them - and subscribed to this thread.

[Me_Again]

I am going to send B&W a question about lifting that way. Chris

[twinstick]

I'll take my chances. I never touch my hitch when it's hanging. I pull it up, drive out from under it, then drop in on a dolly.

[Cummins12V98]

Good point on the safety aspect hanging the lighter duty Patriot. With the head pins I would not hesitate. My Dad hung his Companion for several years from his PinBox.

[Me_Again]

twinstick wrote:
Demco makes a 5th wheel lifting bracket that looks really nice. Only problem is it's $50. I have a winch in the ceiling of my basement, that for years I've used a strap to pull my hitch out. With my new b&w hitch it would be pretty difficult to use a strap. A friend and I made a few of these lifting bracket for ourselves. Only have a couple dollars in them, and they seem to work really well. They're modeled after the ones from demco, with a few changes.

I would never lift my Patriot(think less expense head) hitch that way or leave it hang on the king pin, as it does not have the pins on each side like the Companion models, that is a second captive feature of the head. Just bumping one of the latch release arms on either side could cause the head to separate from the base.



They make the Companion slider for pucks for all three brands now.







Chris

[mtofell1]

jjj wrote:
I always wondered if you lift your hitch that way what effect does it have on the jaws with that weight hanging from them. When a fifth wheel is on the hitch there is no weight on the jaws because the head is taking the weight. I was just wondering.

Just to make myself feel better I counterweight mine with a jack stand when it's hanging from the pin. I let it hang for years without a problem but figured it couldn't hurt to take some weight off it.

[JIMNLIN]

I've seen different home made devices like that one that lifted from the hitch jaws. One was made from schedule #40 blk pipe....another from a cut off axle shaft.
My hitch plate has 1/2" holes at the ends. I use 1/2" eye bolts and made cables with slip hooks at both ends. Now I can lift it with a old come-a-long hanging from a truss rib in the tractor barn.

[Cummins12V98]

jjj wrote:
I always wondered if you lift your hitch that way what effect does it have on the jaws with that weight hanging from them. When a fifth wheel is on the hitch there is no weight on the jaws because the head is taking the weight. I was just wondering.

When you go over some of these roads humps and bumps the lift can be HUGE, the hitch is designed for that. So the couple hundred pounds hanging is NOTHING.

[jjj]

I always wondered if you lift your hitch that way what effect does it have on the jaws with that weight hanging from them. When a fifth wheel is on the hitch there is no weight on the jaws because the head is taking the weight. I was just wondering.

[C_B_]

Scrap metal pile and a friend with a welder.

Would think 90 percent of us know someone with a welder.


C.B.

[RollandB]

I’ve got a B&W Companion hitch so about six months ago purchased this same lift bracket. I didn’t like the price either but my Chiropractor charges $55 per visit so for me it’s the lesser of two evils. The lift bracket makes easy work with the Companion hitch for removal and installing it back. Money well spent

[JKJavelin]

Nice job Twinstick!
I bought one of those from Demco and the first thing I thought was it was way overpriced.
JK

[twinstick]

Yeah, my camper has to stay at a storage lot about 10 miles away. No way I'm leaving my brand new hitch hanging in the wind for someone to take.

I know everyone has there own way of getting a hitch out. This thing works really well, just happy I have about$2 in a piece that sells for$50 online. I'm not about to lift a 91lb base out of my truck. Way too much work.

[romore]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I just use the 5th wheel.......with 5vr hitched I pull the hitch pins and raise it using landing gear legs.
Leave it hanging from king pin.

X2