Pro Series 7168 User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

15K Fifth Wheel Hitch

DEALER/INSTALLER:

(1) Provide this Manual to end user. (2) Physically demonstrate hitching and unhitching procedures in this Manual to end user. (3) Have end user demonstrate that he/she understands procedures.

END USER:

(1) Read and follow this Manual every time you use hitch. (2) Save this Manual and Hitch Warning Hang Tag for future reference. (3) Pass on copies of Manual and Hitch Warning Hang Tag to any other user or owner of hitch. (4) Never remove hitch warning decals as shown on the cover of this manual. If damaged, contact Cequent Towing Products (1888-521-0510) for free replacement decals.

Skid Plate

Warning Decals (Front of Hitch)

Hitch Warning Hang Tag

Hitch Handle

Ramp

Locking Bar

Handle Tab

PATENTS PENDING

For Installation Assistance or Technical Help, Call 1-888-521-0510

WARNING:

Failure to follow these instructions may result in death or serious injury!

INDEX

1. GUIDELINES FOR MATCHING TOW VEHICLE AND TRAILER P. 2

2. ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS P. 4

3. BEFORE EACH TRIP P. 5

4. HITCHING PROCEDURE P. 5

5. PULL TEST P. 8

6. UNHITCHING PROCEDURE P. 8

7. MAINTENANCE P. 9

8. Cequent Towing Products THREE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY P. 23

9. GENERAL CHASSIS MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS P. 10

10. BASE RAIL APPLICATIONS

•GM ‘99 SILVERADO, SIERRA (NOT SIERRA CLASSIC) MODELS (AMBER TURN SIGNALS), GM ‘00 AND NEWER SILVERADO, SIERRA MODELS (AMBER TURN SIGNALS) INCLUDING HD MODELS P. 12

•CHEVROLET/GMC 88-98, 92-98 4-DOOR, ‘99 SILVERADO SIERRA CLASSIC (TAPERED FRAME, RED SIGNALS)

•CHEVROLET ‘73-’87, ‘73-’92 4-DOOR (GMC) (34” STRAIGHT, OUTSIDE SHOCK ABSORBERS) P. 14

•CHEVROLET ‘73-’87, ‘73-’92 4-DOOR (GMC) (34” STRAIGHT, INSIDE SHOCK ABSORBERS) P. 15

•FORD ‘97 & NEWER F-150 AND F-250 8500 GVW OR UNDER P. 16

•FORD F-150 & F-250 THROUGH ‘96, ‘97 F-250 OVER 8500 GVW, F-350 THROUGH ‘97 NOT SUPERDUTY, ‘99 & NEWER F-250 AND F-350 SUPERDUTY

•DODGE ‘02 AND NEWER 1500 P. 18

•DODGE ‘94-’01 1500, ‘94 TO ‘02 2500/3500 (FULL SIZE, SHORT AND LONG BOX) P. 19

•DODGE THROUGH ‘93 (FULL SIZE) P. 20

•DODGE ‘94 DAKOTA & NEWER P. 21

•TOYOTA TUNDRA 2000 & NEWER (LONG BOX ONLY) P. 22

P. 13

P. 17

GUIDELINES FOR MATCHING HITCH TRUCK AND TRAILER

WARNING:

•Trailer and its contents together must not exceed truck, hitch and/or trailer tow ratings.

•Towing vehicle must have a manufacturer’s rated towing capacity equal to or greater than

the gross trailer weight (dry weight of the trailer plus payload of the trailer). (See Fig. 1)

•Gross weight of trailer must not exceed 15,000 pounds.

•King pin weight must not exceed 3750 pounds (See Fig. 2). If in doubt, have king pin weight

measured by qualified facility.

Fig. 1

1. This hitch is designed for use with recreational fifth wheel trailers only. Hitch applications other than recreational fifth wheel trailers must be approved in writing by Towing Product’s Engineering Department.

2. Use only a SAE 2-inch kingpin with this Fifth Wheel Hitch.

3. Approximately 15%-25% of trailer weight should be on hitch (Pin Weight). See Fig. 2

FACTORY TRAILER + FULL WATER TANKS + CARGO, ETC.

= GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT

Fig. 2

15-25%

GROSS TRAILER

WEIGHT

(PIN WEIGHT)

GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT

75-85%

GROSS TRAILER

WEIGHT

4. Trucks come in many different configurations. This hitch is designed for use in light trucks such as the Ford F-Series, the Chevy Silverado and the Dodge Ram. This hitch is recommended for use with long bed (8ft) light trucks for the best combination in trucktrailer turning clearance.

Rule of thumb: The distance from the back of the truck cab to the center of the rear truck

axle (“X” in Fig. 3), should be approximately 4 inches greater than one-half the trailer width (“Y” in Fig.3)

RV TRAILER

Fig. 3

TRUCK

5 . If a short bed pickup (less than 8 ft. but longer than 6 ft.) is to be used for towing, Cequent Towing Products recommends the trailer be equipped with an extended pin box to help gain additional truck - trailer turning clearance (See trailer manufacturer for

options) (See Fig. 4). It also may be helpful to add a Kwik-Slide for increased turning clearance for low speed, non-highway

maneuvering.

Fig. 4

Conventional Pin Box

Extended Pin Box

KING PIN

WARNING:

Do Not install this fifth wheel hitch on or attempt to tow with a short bed pickup truck that has a bed shorter than 6 ft.!

6. The height of the hitch and the pin box should be adjusted so the trailer is approximately level as it is towed. Allow approximately 6 inches clearance between the top of the pickup walls and the underside of the front of the trailer for pitch and roll of the trailer. (See Fig. 5). Allow more clearance between pickup walls and trailer for off road use.

Fig. 5

Approximately 6 Inches

Level Trailer

Do Not use this hitch for towing a trailer with a pin box that could come into contact with or interfere with the pad lock or the handl e tab when turning! (See Fig. 6) If the pin box contacts the hitch handle, tab or its lock when turning, the trailer may become unhitched.

PAD LOCK

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

•Connection for trailer wiring should be in the side of the truck bed between the driver’s seat and the wheel well for the back truck axle

•Installation of connection rearward of the wheel well may result in user plac ing body between truck and trailer. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, AVOID PUTTING BODY UNDER TRAILER OR BETWEEN TRUCK AND TRAILER!

•If you need to place any part of your body under trailer or between truck and trailer:

WARNING:

KING PIN

BOTTOM OF PIN BOX

Fig. 6

WARNING:

• All trailer tires MUST

be blocked in front and behind each tire AND

• Trailer landing gear MUST be resting on firm ground AND

• Truck MUST be stationary, in park, with emergency brake on!

1. Reference Fig. 19 on back page. Numbers in parentheses refer to parts in Fig. 19.

2. 5th Wheel Kit is contained in one carton plus two base rails sent loose. Unpack and become familiar with parts on parts list.

3. Place two base rails (25) across bed of truck (See Fig. 7). Select one leg (28) and place tabs through the second rectangularslot from the end of the rail in the base rails. Slip long pull pins (11) through holes in base rails from the inside out as shown so the cotter pins are on the outside of the base rails. Repeat for other leg. Secure pull pins with spring cotter pins (12).

BASERAILS

Fig. 7

4. Select head support (27) and install on leg aligning holes for hitch height desired. (Lowest position 13" highest 17"). Install four 1/2-13 x 4.5" Hex bolts (29), (with heads toward inside as shown) and lock nuts (31).

5. Torque 1/2" nuts to 75 lb. ft.

6. Install base rails and mounting brackets as described in ”Base Rail Installation Section” (pg. 10).

WARNING

Base rails must be bolted through the floor of the pickup to the brackets that attach to the truck frame. DO NOT INSTALL BY FASTENING TO THE FLOOR OF THE PICKUP BOX ONLY. The floor alone is not strong enough to carry the loads imposed by the trailer.

7. Lubricate yokes in head support (27) with heavy oil or chassis grease.

8. Install outer tubular handle (35) over solid inner handle (17) and pin together with cotter pin (34). Bend cotter pin to hold in place.

9. Place head assembly (26) into yokes in head support (27) and secure with two short pull pins (23), with grooved end toward tailgate of truck. Install spring cotter pins (12) into grooves in pull pins.

BEFORE EACH TRIP:

1. Lubricate skid plate surface of the hitch (see figure on cover of Manual) with automotive type chassis grease or use a plastic lube plate to provide a lubricated surface. Use engine oil to lubricate pivot points of moving parts within the hitch.

2. Plastic lube plates can be used to avoid messy grease. The plastic lube plate must not exceed 3/16 of an inch in thickness to ensure hitch will operate properly. Lube plates must be 10 inches in diameter or larger to properly distribute king pin weight.

3. Before each trip or maneuver, operate the handle and check that the locking bar opens and closes freely without trailer attached.

4. See that all hitch pull pins (# 11 on Fig. 19) are in place and the spring retaining pins (#12 on Fig. 19) are installed.

HITCHING PROCEDURE:

IMPORTANT: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFE HITCHING AND UNHITCHING OPERATIONS. DO NOT RELY ON

OTHERS TO PERFORM YOUR DUTIES. YOU MUST PERSONALLY MAKE SURE THE FOLLOWING STEPS ARE PERFORMED IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER!

WARNING:

Failure to follow these instructions may result in death or serious injury.

1. Place blocks (sometimes called “chocks”) firmly against front and rear of each trailer wheel to prevent any possible forwardor rearward motion. DO NOT REMOVE BLOCKS UNTIL EACH OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS AND THE PULL TEST COMPLETED. Lower tailgate if necessary.

2. Using trailer jacks, adjust trailer height following the directions in the trailer manual so that bottom of trailer pin box (“A” in Fig. 6) is ½ to 1 inch below skid plate (See “B” in Fig. 8). During the hitching maneuver, the bottom of the trailer in box should come in contact with skid plate ramp (“C” in Fig. 8).

Hitch Skid Plate (B)

HAVE BEEN

Bottom of Pin Box (A) 1/2 To 1 Inch Below Hitch Skid Plate (B)

Bottom of Pin Box (A)

Skid Plate Ramp (C)

Fig. 8

CORRECT

Bottom of Pin

Box Above

Hitch Skid Plate

Fig. 9

WRONG

WARNING:

Failure to follow this instruction may result in king pin being too high and coming to rest on top of closed locking bar or not completely inside locking bar. (See Fig. 9). This could result in trailer separating from hitch. Trailer separation may result in death or serious injury if anyone is under the trailer or between truck and trailer when separation occurs.

3. Pull handle out (A) and forward (B) so that the handle rests in the handle groove on the side of the hitch head and cocks it open. (See Fig. 10). The hitch is now ready to accept the trailer king pin.

Fig. 10

Handle Groove

Locking Bar Retracted

Handle Tab

Sleeve

Handle

4. With locking bar in the open position (See Fig. 10), back truck slowly into trailer king pin until locking bar slides behind king pin. The locking bar will automatically trap king pin when the king pin is inserted into the hitch far enough to disengage locking bar (See Fig. 11).

King pin

Fig. 11

King pin

Locking Bar Closed

5. Use only

the method described above for hitching.

WARNING:

Do not attempt to hitch by using trailer jacks to lower trailer and king pin. This could result in king pin coming to rest on top of skid plate instead of within hitch opening where locking bar is located. King pin could slide off hitch and trailer could drop, re sulting in death or serious injury (See Fig. 12).

Fig. 12 WRONG

6. With:

•All trailer wheels still firmly blocked,and

•Landing gear still resting on firm ground and supporting trailer weight, and

•Truck stationary and in park with emergency brake on:

Visually check that bottom of pin box is resting on top of the hitch. THERE SHOULD BE NO SPACE BETWEEN THESE SURFACES (See Fig. 13). If space exists, (See Fig. 14) trailer has not been properly hitched. DO NOT TOW! Instead, repeat above steps until trailer is properly hitched. DO NOT PLACE BODY UNDER TRAILER TO PERFORM THIS INSPECTION!

No Space

Fig. 13

CORRECT

7. The round hole in the handle tab on the tubular handle should now line up with the hole in the sleeve (Fig. 10) on the front left corner of the hitch head (Fig. 11). Insert a lock through the holes in handle tab and sleeve. IF HOLES ARE NOT ALIGNED, TRAILER HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY CONNECTED TO HITCH. DO NOT TOW! Instead, repeat above steps until trailer is properly hitched. DO NOT PLACE BODY UNDER TRAILER TO PERFORM THIS INSPECTION!

WARNING

Failure to use a pad lock could result in trailer suddenly becoming unhitched (see Fig. 15).

Do Not force handle should it not be aligned to permit locking. Check that the trailer plate is resting on the skid plate and

applying downward pressure. Lower trailer by raising trailer jacks if necessary and with the trailer wheels blocked on both sides, move the truck slightly back and forth to allow the king pin to engage. Handle should be all the way in and lock should be inserted through handle tab and sleeve.

Fig. 15

High Pin

Fig. 14

WRONG

King Pin

Handle Tab

Insert padlock in aligned holes.

8. With:

•All trailer wheels still firmly blocked in front and behind each tire, and

•Truck stationary with the emergency brake on, and

•Trailer landing gear still resting on firm ground and supporting trailer weight: Connect electrical cable between truck and trailer, connect breakaway switch cable from pin box to a permanent part of truck, and raise tailgate of truck.

Locking Bar Closed

WARNING

●WHENEVER POSSIBLE, AVOID PUTTING BODY UNDER TRAILER OR BETWEEN TRUCK AND TRAILER

●If you need to place any part of your body under trailer or between truck and trailer:

●All trailer tires MUST

●Trailer landing gear MUST be resting on firm ground AND

●Truck MUST be stationary, in park, with emergency brake on!

be blocked in front and behind each tire AND

PULL TEST

WARNING:

Failure to perform this test may r esult in death or serious injury!

1. With:

•All trailer wheels still firmly blocked, and

•Trailer land gear still resting on firm ground and supporting trailer weight and,

•Truck stationary and with emergency brake on:

Return to cab of truck and release truck’s emergency brake. Apply trailer brakes. After making sure no one is between

truck and trailer, try to pull trailer slowly forward with the truck. If the trailer is properly hitched, the wheel blocks and trailer brakes should keep the truck from moving forward.

NOTE: If trailer is not properly hitched, trailer will separate from hitch and truck will move forward leaving trailer behind. If

the trailer landing gear is still on resting on firm ground supporting trailer weight and wheels are blocked, trailer will not be able to drop or fall

WARNING:

Failure to keep wheels blocked and landing gear down could result in trailer suddenly moving or falling. This could result in death o r serious injury!

2. After successfully performing above steps, fully raise trailer landing gear (see trailer manual).

3. Check and inspect all electrical circuits for proper operation. (Clearance lights, turn signals, stop lights, etc.).

4. Remove and store all trailer wheel blocks.

UNHITCHING PROCEDURE:

PERFORM THE FOLLOWING IN THIS ORDER:

1. Place blocks firmly against front and rear of each trailer wheel to prevent any possible forward or rearward motion.

2. Using trailer jacks, lower trailer landing gear following the directions in the Trailer Manual until feet of landing gear are resting on firm ground.

3. Make sure truck is in park with the emergency brake on.

WARNING:

Trailers that are not stable or properly hitched can fall and kill you! To avoid death or serious injury:

• All trailer tires MUST

• Trailer landing gear MUST be resting on firm ground AND

• Truck MUST be stationary, in park, with emergency brake on!

4. Lower truck tail gate.

5. Disconnect power cable and breakaway switch cable between truck and trailer.

6. Remove lock from handle tab and sleeve.

7. Make sure that there is no rearward load on the king pin locking bar. If this is the case, the handle and king pin locking bar will be difficult to open. DO NOT FORCE HANDLE. Back truck into trailer and reset truck emergency brakes.

8. Pull handle out (A) and forward (B) so that the groove in the handle catches the side of the hitch head and cocks it open (C). See Figures 16 and 17.

be blocked in front and behind each tire AND

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