Reese 30054 User Manual

Instruction Manual

30K - Fifth Wheel Hitch

You can take it with you.

Part Number 30054

ELKHART, IN., OAKVILLE, ONT.

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 Reese (1-800-326-1090 or

www.reeseprod.com) for free replacement decals.

HANG TAG

SKID PLATE SURFACE

HITCH WARNING DECALS

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

or check our web site www.reeseprod.com

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. REESE FIVE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY P. 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 manufa cturer’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 30,000 pounds.

• King pin weight must not exceed 7,500 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

Fig. 2

15-25%

GROSS TRAILER

WEIGHT

(PIN WEIGHT)

= GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT

75-85%

GROSS TRAILER

WEIGHT

GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT

4. Trucks come in many different configurations. The Reese 30K fifth wheel is designed for medium duty truck applications such as Freightliner or Ford F-650. It is NOT intended for light duty pick-up trucks.

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. 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

KING PIN

Level Trailer

WARNING: 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

Fig. 6

BOTTOM OF PIN BOX

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 y ou 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. Complete hitch is contained in two cartons. Unpack and become familiar with parts on parts list.

2. Attach side plate (29) to base using 3/4” bolts (15) & lockwashers (16). Side plates can be mounted with flanges facing inward or outward to fit mounting area.

(Note when mounting flanges inward only 2 height adjustments will be available.)

3. Place base assembly (28) on bed of truck vertically above to 4” ahead of the rear axle. Check that the distance from the center line of the base to the back of the cab is at least four inches greater than 1/2 the trailer width.

4. Position the base assembly centrally across the width of the truck and with the long axis of the base assembly parallel to the cab back.

5. Using the 4 square holes in the base as template, mark, pilot drill and finish drill to 5/8” dia. The drilled holes must go through the deck and through the 1/2” steel plate underneath. The 1/2” plate must be weldedto brackets and bolted to the truck chassis.

6. Bolt the base assembly in place with the four grade 5 or higher 5/8” carriage bolts, locking nuts, and flat washers. The nuts and washers should be below the 1/2” plate. (5/8” carriage bolts, locking nuts, flat washers are not supplied)

7. Torque 5/8" bolts to 115 lb. ft. & 3/4” bolts to 200 lb. ft.

8. Lubricate pivot pins and pivot points in head (22), per Fig. 21 through 22, with heavy oil or spray lube.

WARNING: Base must be bolted through the floor of the tow vehicle to a substantially designed steel support structure that connec ts the hitch to the tow vehicle frame. DO NOT INSTALL BY FASTENING TO THE FLOOR OF THE TOW VEHICLE ONLY. The floor alone is not strong enough to carry the loads imposed by the trailer.

9. 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 but latch (18) will move with reasonable hand effort. Check to see that all snap rings (20) are in place.

10. Lubricate base assembly per Fig. 19 - 20 with engine oil or spray lube.

11. Place head (22) & rocker (21) assy. Into base assembly (28) and secure with stop rods (23) and spring cotter pins (24).

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Reese 30054 User Manual

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Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual