(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.
HITCH HANDLE
HANDLE LATCH
WARNING DECAL
RAMP
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 Reese (1-888-521-0510 or
www.reeseprod.com) for free replacement.
WARNING HANG TAG
JAWS TO HOLD
KING PIN
SKID PLATE
WARNING DECAL
FUNNEL FOR
TRAILER KING PIN
For Installation Assistance or Technical Help, Call 1-888-521-0510
Failure to follow these instructions may result in death or serious injury!
INDEX
1. GUIDELINES FOR MATCHING TOW VEHICLE AND TRAILERP. 2
2. ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONSP. 4
3. BEFORE EACH TRIPP. 5
4. HITCHING PROCEDUREP. 5
5. PULL TESTP. 8
6. UNHITCHING PROCEDUREP. 8
7. MAINTENANCEP. 9
8. REESE FIVE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTYP. 9
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 16,000 pounds.
•King pin weight must not exceed 4,000 pounds (See Fig. 2). If in doubt have king
pin weight measured by qualified facility.
FACTORY TRAILER + FULL WATER TANKS + CARGO, ETC.
Fig. 1
1. Reese hitches are designed for use with recreational fifth wheel trailers only. Hitch applications other than recreational fifth
wheel trailers must be approved in writing by Reese’s Engineering Department.
2. Use only a SAE 2-inch kingpin with your Reese Fifth Wheel Hitch.
3. Approximately 15%-25% of trailer weight should be on hitch (Pin Weight). See Fig. 2.
4. Trucks come in many different configurations. Reese hitches are designed for use in light trucks such as the Ford FSeries, the Chevy Silverado and the Dodge Ram. Reese recommends the use of long bed (8ft) light trucks for the best
combination in truck - trailer 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, Reese 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 Reese Kwik-Slide (Part # 30048) 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.
Do Not use this hitch for towing a trailer with a pin box that could come into contact with
or interfere with the latch for the hitch handle when turning! (See Fig. 6) If the pin box
contacts the hitch handle or its latch when turning, the trailer may become unhitched.
KING PIN
LATCH
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING:
•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 placing 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:
• 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.
BOTTOM OF PIN BOX
Fig. 6
2. 5th Wheel Kit is contained in two cartons. Unpack and become familiar with parts on parts list. Base rails, brackets and
hardware are in separate kit (part no. 30035) with separate Installation Instructions for Fifth Wheel Rail Mounting Kit.
3. Place two base rails (25) across bed of truck (See Fig. 7). Select one leg (28) and place tabs through the middle
rectangular slot 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 retaining 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 (32), (with heads toward inside as shown) and lock nuts (33).
5. Torque 1/2" nuts to 75 lb. ft.
6. Install base rails and mounting brackets as described in "Installation Instructions for 5th Wheel Rail Mounting Kit,” Part #
30035.
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 (37) in head support with heavy oil.
STEPS ARE PERFORMED IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER!
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. Check that latch bolt (19) is snug. Do not over tighten (latch (18) must be able to move with firm
hand effort). Check to see that all snap rings (16) are in place.
9. Place head assembly (26) into head support (27) and secure with pivot pin (30). Insert klik-pin (31) into pivot pin (30).
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 (Reese No. 74295) 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 jaws open and close freely.
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
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
forward or rearward motion. DO NOT REMOVE BLOCKS UNTIL EACH OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS AND THE PULL
TEST HAVE BEEN 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 pin box
should come in contact with skid plate ramp (“C” in Fig. 8).
Hitch Skid Plate (B)
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
Failure to follow this instruction may result in king pin being too high and coming to rest on top of closed jaws or
not completely inside jaws. (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. Rotate latch (see Fig. 10) toward trailer and free of groove in handle. NOTE: Hitch jaws will not open and proper hitching
Fig. 12
Fig. 11
cannot occur if latch is in handle groove.
Groove in Handle
Fig. 10
4. With handle in the closed position (See Fig. 10), back truck slowly into trailer. As the trailer king pin enters the
hitch it will push the hitch jaws open and extend the handle (See Fig. 11). As king pin completely enters head, jaws
will spring closed around king pin and handle will return to the closed position. (See Fig. 12)
Handle motion
Latch open
Latch
King pin
Hitch Jaws
King pin
King pin
Jaws 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 jaws are located. King pin could
slide off hitch and trailer could drop, resulting in death or serious injury (See Fig. 13).
6. With all trailer wheels still firmly blocked, landing gear still resting on firm ground and supporting trailer weight, and
Fig. 16
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. 14). If space exists, (See Fig. 15)
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. 14
CORRECT
7. Rotate latch for hitch handle to closed position in groove of handle to be sure hitch jaws are locked closed. IF LATCH
IS NOT ALIGNED WITH GROOVE IN HANDLE, TRAILER HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY CONNECTED TO HITCH.
DO NOT TOW! Repeat above steps until trailer is properly hitched. (See Fig. 16)
High Pin
Fig. 15
WRONG
King Pin
Latch closed
Jaws closed
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; and
•Truck stationary and with emergency brake on:
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.
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 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!
Failure to perform this test may result 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 or 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:
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 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!
4. Lower truck tail gate.
5. Disconnect power cable and breakaway switch cable between truck and trailer.
6. Rotate latch for hitch handle toward trailer and free of groove in handle. (Fig. 17 on next page)
7. Pull hitch handle out completely until it latches in open position so that king pin is no longer
securely grasped by hitch jaws (See Fig. 18 on next page). Trailer is now free from hitch and
truck. If handle does not pull out, there is probably pressure against the jaws. To relieve this
pressure, back the truck slightly. Reset truck emergency brake. Then pull hitch handle out
completely until it latches in open position. (See Fig. 18)
8. AFTER MAKING CERTAIN NO ONE IS STANDING BETWEEN TRUCK AND TRAILER OR IN FRONT OF TRUCK,
drive truck slowly away from trailer.
WARNING
Whenever possible, avoid putting body under trailer or between truck and trailer
If you need to place any part of our body under trailer or between truck and trailer:
•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!
9. Close hitch jaws by pushing handle forward and up.
(Spring will close jaws.)
MAINTENANCE:
1. Recheck tightness of all hardware every 1000 miles of use.
2. See “Before each trip” section in this manual.
FIVE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
REESE warrants its 5th Wheels from date of purchase against defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service,
ordinary wear and tear excepted, for 5 years of ownership to the original consumer purchaser when a REESE mounting kit is used.
Products used by professional hauler’s are subject to REESE PRODUCTS’ limited One (1) year warranty.
REESE will replace FREE OF CHARGE any part which proves defective in material or workmanship when presented to any REESE dealer
(consult local telephone directory) or REESE warehouse, or when returned to the factory, TRANSPORTATION CHARGES PREPAID, at the
address below. THIS WARRANTY IS LIMITED TO DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACEMENT ONLY. LABOR CHARGES AND/OR DAMAGE
INCURRED IN INSTALLATION OR REPLACEMENT AS WELL AS INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES CONNECTED
THEREWITH ARE EXCLUDED.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not
apply to you.
Any damage to the 5th Wheel as a result of misuse, abuse, neglect, accident, improper installation, or any use violative of the instruction
furnished by us WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. In the event of a problem with
warranty service or performance, you may be able to go to a small claims court, a state court, or a federal district court.
Cequent Performance Products
47774 Anchor Court
Plymouth, MI 48170