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RnTBnB's avatar
RnTBnB
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013

Need hitching tips, please

I have a Reese 16K hitch and I pull a 2009 Coachmen Wyoming with a 5th Airborne pin box and Sidewinder combination. I would appreciate hitching tips from any of you with the same setup, because it takes me way too long to get hitched. I'm having trouble finding the right combination of pin height and angle of attack so that the jaws will lock around the pin. Thank you in advance.

4 Replies

  • I found an inexpensive rv level @ camping world that allows you to 'remember' the height you had @ the time you disconnected by unhooking and pushing a little marker over the bubble when unhooked before leveling...

    when ready to hook up, bring your 5er to the same marked level and hook up !

    now, where is the right level to hook up the first time ?

    obviously you have to back straight into the pin,
    also be at the "right" height - usually I set the 5er pin box right above the back of the hitch so it rides up the hitch as I back in...

    I can 'hear' when my hitch clamps down because it slides and locks the release arm in a very distinctive sound (maybe I could put a bell on it to be sure it's locked ?!? :) )

    good luck and you'll get it with practice.... and that's the key !
    practice when there is no pressure to get it done quickly !!!
  • Agree that the pin should be lower that the hitch. IIRC, the 16k Reese jaws should push open and then close around the pin. Make sure it is closed, and do a pull test.
  • Kingpin should be slightly lower than the hitch so it rides up as you back into it.
  • I have a piece of yellow tape on both the hitch and pin box. I just look in the mirror and line them up. Back up feel the bump when jaws lock give it a couple of pulls to make sure and your done.