Fifth wheel hitch storage - Dutchmen Owners
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Old 06-28-2015, 02:01 AM   #1
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Fifth wheel hitch storage

I was thinking between trips that i could just keep the fifth wheel connected to the trailer and get the weight off the hitch and remove the 4 pins on my trucked rails and pick up the trailer to disconnect from the truck. leaving the whole fifth wheel attached to the trailer hanging from king pin...Any thoughts? I can't see it doing any damage to anything, keeping the whole fifth wheel hitch out of the elements and getting my bed space back!!!
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Old 06-28-2015, 02:40 AM   #2
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There are a lot more forces when hooked up and towing. A static 80 lbs or so hanging off the kingpin isn't going to hurt anything.
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Old 06-29-2015, 03:13 AM   #3
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I think it would work, but having that weight just swing around in the wind?? I purchased a engine Hoist and use that to remove my 26K Hitch
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Old 06-29-2015, 04:45 PM   #4
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Shouldn't be a problem. Only major problem I see is connecting it back into your truck. That will be a pain!
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Old 06-29-2015, 05:40 PM   #5
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Shouldn't be a problem. Only major problem I see is connecting it back into your truck. That will be a pain!
That's what I'm thinking, especially if you're solo.
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Old 06-29-2015, 06:07 PM   #6
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That's what I'm thinking, especially if you're solo.
Even if you had a ground guide backing your truck so that the pins would line up to the rail, you would need to be perfect. Why would you even want to do it that way.
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Old 06-29-2015, 06:56 PM   #7
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I would like to use the bed of the truck to haul lumber and Sheetrock instead of having to use the utility trailer but the idea of trying to get the fifth wheel lined up again makes connecting the little trailer not so bad.


I suppose one could get the rails under the fifth wheel enough to release it from the pin and then finish with the alignment out in the open but it seems more of a hassle than what it might be worth.
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Old 06-29-2015, 11:14 PM   #8
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That's why I use the engine hoist, its fast and easy on the back
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Old 06-29-2015, 11:20 PM   #9
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I like the engine hoist idea a lot!!! i thought about the lining up part and that would suck a bit, especially solo!!! I was throwing an idea out there to see what sticks...since i became a member the countless ideas and info on here is priceless so I figured together we could come up with a solution...So far the engine hoist is in the lead...Thanks RVNevada
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Old 06-30-2015, 12:32 AM   #10
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Well, it's kind of expensive, but could always upgrade to a new F-350 with the 5th wheel package...

Turn 4 levers, and lift the hitch right out. Takes about 30 seconds. I put mine in & out all the time, depending what I need the truck for.

Just a thought...
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Old 06-30-2015, 01:24 AM   #11
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I pull the pins, put the hitch on it's side, and strap it to a hand truck. With the rear gate down and backed over a low rock wall, not as far to lower the hand truck with the hitch to the ground, then wheel it into the garage. Install is the reverse, pull the hand truck up the rear gate, and reinstall.

I do wish I had the hidden mount, where there are no mount rails in the bed, but other than that, pickup truck is ready to haul once the hitch is out.
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Old 06-30-2015, 05:56 AM   #12
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I put a chain hoist in the barn, back under it, hook up the hitch and raise it up, drive out and then lower it onto a $10 furniture dolly from Harbor Freight and roll it to a corner of the garage until I need it again.
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Old 06-30-2015, 02:16 PM   #13
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I did this on a removable reese hitch for years. Never caused any problems... but it does seem weird to just leave it hanging off the rig.
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Old 07-01-2015, 02:00 PM   #14
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I built a cart the exact height as my tailgate, and just slide the hitch onto it, roll it into the garage. No lifting involved.
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