We are experts in fifth wheel hitch installation. We’ve accomplished more hitch installations than we can even count! Some of the fifth wheel hitches we have experience installing include Reese, Kurt, Draw-Tite, RBW, B&W, High Jacker, Pull Rite, and Valley. It’s usually best to trust fifth wheel hitch installation to a professional, due to the fact if your hitch isn’t set up efficiently and securely, you put your security and property at risk.
Here we’ll quickly go over the steps involved with putting in a new trailer hitch, and what you will sincerely need to know.
The setup instructions provide the precise area for installing the fifth-wheel trailer hitch for the most efficient towing.
With an 8-foot-wide fifth-wheel trailer, Reese and Draw-Tite advise a distance of 52" from the cab of the truck to the core of the fifth wheel hitch. Because the hitch should continue to be in the front of the rear axle, long-bed big trucks are recommended. Any truck with a bed less than eight feet long is considered a short bed.
If a short-bed truck will be used, it is recommended that a slider fifth-wheel hitch and an extended pin box be used to assist compensate for the decreased turning clearance. Without the slider or pin container extension, the trailer can strike the cab on sharp turns. The Slider lets in the car to make ordinary turns in the course of low-speed maneuvering. The extended pin field (minimum 13") creates an even greater house between the truck cab and the trailer.
Fifth Wheel Clearance and Height Adjustment
The fifth-wheel hitch's top putting is taken with the aid of measuring from the ground to the kingpin, then from the floor to your truck bed. Then subtract the second dimension from the first for the appropriate peak setting.
There ought to be 5-6" of clearance between the again of your truck and your fifth wheel.
Installing a Fifth Wheel Hitch except for a Bed Liner
When bracket set up is carried out properly, there is no benefit to welding the installation brackets to the frame compared with bolting the brackets. If welding is preferred, make sure it is performed by way of a licensed welder.
Universal rail kits that can mount to any giant pickup are available. They frequently require drilling to install.
If the vehicle is a late model Ford (1997 +), Chevrolet (1999 +), Dodge (2002 +) or GMC (1999 +), drilling can be avoided with customized setup kits. Custom rail kits mount to existing holes in the frame, lowering set up time by using up to 50%. Custom rail kits work with each long-bed and short-bed truck.
Installing a Fifth Wheel Hitch with a Bed Liner
Installation rails can be installed over a spray-in liner. However, rails can't be set up over a plastic bed liner. The liner will sooner or later disintegrate, resulting in an unfastened hitch. You can remove the portion of the bed liner where the rails contact the truck bed to create a strong mounting floor for the hitch.