Reese 30866 User Manual [en, es, fr]

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Product No.

R16 - Fifth Wheel Hitch

You can take it with you.

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.

HANDLE

RAMP

30866

Plymouth MI

END USER:

(1) Read and follow this Manual every time you use hitch. (2) Save this Manual for future reference. (3) Pass on copies of Manual 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.

JAWS TO HOLD KINGPIN

HEAD ASSEMBLY

SKID PLATE

SIDE BRACKETS

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. REESE LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY P. 9

GUIDELINES FOR MATCHING HITCH TRUCK AND TRAILER

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.

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 king pin with your Reese Fifth Wheel Hitch.

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

Fig. 1

FACTORY TRAILER + FULL WATER TANKS + CARGO, ETC.

WARNING:

= GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT

15-25%

Fig. 2

GROSS TRAILER

WEIGHT

(PIN WEIGHT)

GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT

75-85%

GROSS TRAILER

WEIGHT

4. Trucks come in many different configurations. Reese hitches are designed for use in light trucks such as the Ford F- Series, 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)

Fig. 3

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 Slider for increased turning clearance for low speed, non highway maneuvering.

Fig. 4

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.

Conventional Pin Box

TRUCK

Extended Pin Box

WARNING:

RV TRAILER

KING PIN

Fig. 5

Approximately 6 Inches

Level Trailer

WARNING: DO NOT use this hitch for towing a trailer with a pin box that could come in contact with or interfere with the latch of 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.

HANDLE

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 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!

KING PIN

BOTTOM OF PIN BOX

Fig. 6

WARNING:

1. Reference Fig. 20 on back page. Number in parentheses refer to parts in Fig. 20.

2. R16 Fifth Wheel is contained in two cartons. Unpack and become familiar with parts on parts list. Base rail, brackets and hardware are in separate kits with separate installation instructions for Fifth Wheel Rail Mounting Kit.

3. Place two base rails across bed of truck (See Fig 7). Select one leg and place tabs through the middle rectangular slot in the base rails. Slip long pull pins 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 the spring retaining pins .

4. Select cross member (6) and install on leg aligning holes for hitch height desired. (Lowest position 14” highest 18”). Install four ½-13x4.5” Socket Head bolts (8), with the heads towards the outside as shown, and lock nuts (9).

5. Torque ½” nuts to 75 lb.ft.

6. Install base rails and mounting brackets as described in “Installation Instructions for 5th Wheel Rail Mounting Kit.”

BASERAILS

Fig. 7

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.

BEFORE EACH TRIP:

1. Lubricate skid plate 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.

2. Plastic lube plates (Reese No. 83002) 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 pins (#11 on Fig. 20) are in place and are locked in place for attachment to the pivot beam. See that all hitch pins (#13 on Fig 20) are in place on the mounting system and the spring retaining clips (#10 on Fig 20) 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 if 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 (“A” in Fig. 8) 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 the 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)

Bottom of Pin

Box Above

Hitch Skid Plate

Fig. 8

CORRECT

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 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 hitch handle from locked position (see Fig. 10a) up to the unlocked position (See Fig 10b). This will unlock the jaw system. NOTE: Hitch jaws will not open and proper hitching cannot occur if handle is not pointed up.

UNLOCKED

Fig. 10a

Fig. 11

King pin

LOCKED

Fig. 10b

Fig. 12

King pin

King pin Indicator – Out kingpin is Locked in position

King pin

4. With handle in the unlocked position (See Fig. 11), 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. 12). As king pin completely enters head, jaws will spring closed around king pin and the jaws will return to the closed position and king pin indicator will extend out from the head assembly (See Fig. 13).

5. After king pin is latched rotate handle down to ensure jaws are locked around king pin (See Fig. 14).

6. Use only the method described above for hitching.

Fig. 13

Fig. 14

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.

7. With all trailer wheels still firmly blocked, landing gear still resting on firm ground and supporting trailer weight, and truck stationary and in park with the 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 15). If space exists, (See Fig 16) 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. 15

CORRECT

8. To ensure that the jaws are locked and closed , the handle must be rotated in the down position(See Fig 17a). IF HANDLE

DOES NOT ROTATE DOWN, THE TRAILER HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY CONNECTED TO HITCH. DO NOT TOW!

Repeat above steps until trailer is properly hitched. (See Fig 17b)

Fig. 17a

Fig. 17b

High Pin

Fig. 16

WRONG

KING PIN

HANDLE IN LOCKED POSITION

9. 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:

10. 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.

JAWS CLOSED

WARNING

•WHENEVER POSSIBLE, AVOID PUTTING BODY UNDER TRAILAER 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!

PULL TEST

WARNING:

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

1. With :

• All trailer wheels still firmly blocked, and

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

• Truck stationary and with the 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 resting on firm ground supporting the trailer weight and wheel blocked, trailer will not be able to drop or fall.

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:

WARNING:

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.

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

4. Lower truck tail gate.

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

6. Rotate hitch handle up to the unlocked position (See Fig 18) and pull the handle towards you so that the king pin is no longer securely grasped by hitch jaws (See Fig 19 ). 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.

Fig. 18

•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!

WARNING:

Fig. 19

7. AFTER MAKING CERTAIN NO ONE IS STANDING BETWEEN TRUCK AND TRAILER OR IN FRONT OF TRUCK, drive truck slowly away from 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:

8. Close hitch jaws by pushing handle forward and rotating down.

9. KEEP WHEEL BLOCKS IN PLACE. This will keep trailer from moving unexpectedly

•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!

WARNING

MAINTENANCE:

1. Recheck tightness of all hardware every 1000 miles of use.

2. See “Before each trip” section in this manual.

LIMITED LIFETIME 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 limited lifetime 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 47912 Halyard Drive Suite 100 Plymouth, MI 48170

Cequent Performance Products P.O. Box 3000 Goshen, IN 46528

+ 21 hidden pages