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Old 04-25-2017, 11:44 AM   #1
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Lifting 5th wheel

I want to know how people go about lifting their 5th wheel hitches in, and out of the bed of their trucks. Thought about getting an engine crane from Harbor Freight to lift mine out when i want to use the truck bed for other jobs.
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Old 04-25-2017, 01:03 PM   #2
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Some folks leave the hitch stuck in the jaws, raise front of trailer and drive out....
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Old 04-25-2017, 01:12 PM   #3
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That's something to look into.
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Old 04-25-2017, 01:21 PM   #4
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The engine crane is a good option, but keep in mind that you'll need a fairly long one or tall one, especially if you have a long bed truck.
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Old 04-25-2017, 01:24 PM   #5
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I may be wrong but leaving the hitch connected to the trailer I would think is a lot of weight hanging on it.
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Old 04-25-2017, 01:29 PM   #6
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Up until recently I took it apart into the two main pieces and lifted it by hand.

It was a pain to get the engine hoist out and put it together. Then I had the same problem getting it into the shed..........Engine hoist is doable though. Now I have decided to use the tractor. . I can't leave it hanging on the hitch ..... DW is afraid the GS is going to run into it. Not going to fight that battle

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Old 04-25-2017, 02:00 PM   #7
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I have a Curt slider, which is 2 pieces. Plus the base that locks into the factory 5th wheel, gooseneck mounting system. All together it's got to weigh around 250 lbs. Thought if I got a King Pin I could weld an eye onto it, lock it in the jaws and lift with the engine crane.
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Old 04-25-2017, 02:22 PM   #8
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Bought a 1 ton chain fall on e-bay (wanted 1/2 ton but 1 ton was half the price)
Set an eye bolt into the header of my garage. Bought a Demco 5th wheel bracket from E-Trailer, back the truck into the garage far enough to capture the hitch. Lift enough to clear the truck and pull away. I then lower the hitch onto a Harbor Freight furniture dolly with a piece of plywood the size of the hitch. Roll the whole setup out of the way.
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Old 04-26-2017, 10:58 AM   #9
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same as dsmurchy except i have a great tree next to the driveway that has a tremendous limb that hangs out over the drive way. bought a small chain hoist (1000 lbs) and some nylon lifting straps. get a ladder and throw one strap over the limb and hook up the hoist to it. back the truck up under the hoist. a couple straps from the hitch to the hoist and then lift it out. pull truck out of the way and then lower the hitch to a 1000 lb furniture dolly from harbor freight. then simply roll it on the dolly into the garage for storage. i love my tree limb!!!!
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Old 04-26-2017, 12:24 PM   #10
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I use to have a engine hoist that i made an arm extension to be able to all the way into the truck then i got tired of doing that so just bought a new long bed truck and a pullrite super lite weighs in at 56 pounds now just lift it out
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Old 04-26-2017, 12:24 PM   #11
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I just leave my hitch hooked up to the pin box and use the front jacks to lift hitch out of truck. If the pin box can tow 16,000 lbs down the highway then I think the pin box can hold up 250 lbs. I do install a lock on the handle so the pin doesn't drop off by someone pulling the handle. I keep the handle locked when I'm pulling camper too.
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Old 04-29-2017, 11:42 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oaklevel View Post
Up until recently I took it apart into the two main pieces and lifted it by hand.

It was a pain to get the engine hoist out and put it together. Then I had the same problem getting it into the shed..........Engine hoist is doable though. Now I have decided to use the tractor. . I can't leave it hanging on the hitch ..... DW is afraid the GS is going to run into it. Not going to fight that battle

What's a DW and a GS.
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Old 04-29-2017, 11:52 AM   #13
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What's a DW and a GS.
Dear Wife and Grand Son.

I too have came across this issue as we moved up from our TT to a 5th wheel a few months ago. I bought a 1 ton chain fall at Harbor Freight and plan on mounting it across 4 ceiling joists in the garage and use that. Till I get off my duff and get that mounted I have called on my neighbor to help me lift it out and set in on the HF 1k lb furniture dolly also.
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Old 04-29-2017, 01:20 PM   #14
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I've got an Andersen Aluminum. I just tell my 9 year old to take it out and go have a beer.
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Old 04-29-2017, 01:33 PM   #15
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I never take my hitch out, but should I need to I will take it apart and just lift it out
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Old 04-29-2017, 02:22 PM   #16
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So here is the road I'm going down at the moment. I bought a Harbor Freight 2500 lb. ATV/Utility Electric Winch with Wireless Remote Control and 30 In x 18 In 1000 lb. Capacity Hardwood Dolly. The plan is to mount the winch centered on the garage door header beam in my third bay. I can't back the whole truck into the garage; too tall. So I'll back the bed in until the hitch is centered under the winch, hook up some lifting straps, lift to clear the bed, pull the truck out and then lower onto the hardwood dolly to store. Less than $100 in the whole setup which is cheap to save my bad back. Well, it works on paper.
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Old 04-29-2017, 03:20 PM   #17
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Like mentioned before. Just leave it connected to the trailer. Cost=$0
😁
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Old 04-30-2017, 01:44 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skidsareforkids View Post
I've got an Andersen Aluminum. I just tell my 9 year old to take it out and go have a beer.
You don't think a 9 y.o. is a little young for a beer of appreciation? [emoji6]




I leave mine in year around because I haul a tri-axle flat on occasion. But leaving the jaws hooked to the pinbox and pulling the 4 pins and lifting it out attached to the camper is what I recommend to folk. Just make sure the release is padlocked and padlock the pin tabs for anti-theft.
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Old 04-30-2017, 08:38 PM   #19
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I bought an engine hoist just for this purpose. It did not work. It wasn't long enough to be able to hitch the hitch...so to speak. It was a good idea,but it didn't work. It needs to be taller and the arm longer. I also have the Curt Q20, and yeah...it weighs a bunch. I just leave it in the truck now. If I need to take it out, I have to find some help. I might be looking into the Anderson hitch.
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Old 04-30-2017, 08:48 PM   #20
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Since my Hitch is old school I just leave it in can put about a foot tall of plywood 4 x 8 sheets under it without removing. Also only weighs about 40 lbs. pull the two pins and out it comes no problem.
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