How to Install a Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch
Installing a fifth wheel trailer hitch on your pick-up truck can allow you to tow a much heavier and larger trailer than would otherwise be the case, including large recreational vehicle (RV) camping trailers. Fifth wheel trailer hitches are typically rated for between 12,000 and 30,000 lbs. Staying well within the maximum rated weight for both your truck and trailer hitch will help to promote safety and save wear and tear on the truck's suspension and other components.
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Things You'll Need
- Fifth wheel trailer hitch kit
- Heavy-duty drill
- Drill bits
- Permanent marker
- Measuring tape
- Vehicle jack
- Lug wrench
- Jack stands
- Stiff material, such as heavy-duty cardboard
Instructions
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1
Chock the front wheels so that the truck cannot roll forward or back. Jack up the rear of the truck so that the rear wheels are just clear of the ground. This will give you access to the parts of the frame located inside the wheel wells. Place jack stands at the points indicated by your vehicle's owner's manual. You may wish to remove the vehicle's spare tire to make sure you have clear access to the frame.
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2
Locate the center of the rear axle. Measure from the end of the frame to the center of the rear axle, and mark this point on the frame. Determine where the base rail mounting bolts will come through the truck bed. This will allow you to position the mounting brackets properly, avoiding obstacles on the frame. Measure from the center of the hitch to each hole on the base rails. Use these measurements to create a template on heavy-duty cardboard or other stiff material.
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3
Line up the center of the hitch mark on your template with the mark you placed on the frame indicating the center of the axle. Look closely at the marks on the template that you made for each hole on the base rails. This is where the mounting bolts will come through the truck bed if the hitch is placed even with the center of the axle. Make sure that the placement of the holes will allow room for the mounting brackets on each side of the truck. You must also make sure that you can drill at least two of the hole locations through the frame without hitting an obstruction. If the mounting brackets will not fit in this location, or if you cannot drill without obstruction, simply move the template further up the frame until you find a place where everything fits.
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4
Place a mark on the frame of the truck, indicating where the center of the hitch will be as determined in Step 3. Attach the base rails to the hitch, and place the assembly in the truck bed as indicated by your marks. Mark the position of the base rail holes on the truck bed. Drill one of these marked holes using the smallest possible bit. Check to make sure that the drill bit lines up with the appropriate part of the mounting bracket, and proceed to test the position of the other mounting brackets. The placement of the hitch or the base rails may need to be adjusted if the fit is not accurate.
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5
Take the hitch assembly out of the truck bed and drill each of the marked holes. Sweep the truck bed to remove drill shavings. Some manufacturers recommend treating the drilled holes with a rust inhibitor.
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6
Replace the hitch assembly and install bolts through each hole. You may need to use bed shims included with your hitch kit to fill the bed channel and prevent it from collapsing.
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7
Drill holes in the frame for each mounting bracket, making sure to check the inside of the frame for obstructions such as wires or fluid lines before drilling. Fasten the mounting brackets to the frame using the bolts, washers and nuts included in your hitch kit.
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Tips & Warnings
The hitch manufacturer may have specific installation information relating to your particular vehicle. Please review the material that came with your kit thoroughly.
Fifth wheel trailer hitches should not be installed on top of a removable bed liner, as the liner will eventually disintegrate, leaving a loose hitch. They may be installed over spray-on bed liners.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit rv,rving image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
