Fifth wheel hitch question

Gixxer340 · 04-14-2019, 05:44 PM

I have a companion slider and it weighs at least 250#. I was wondering if it would be OK to leave it hanging from the pin of the trailer when not in use. It would be easier to just use the jacks to pick it up out of the truck and leave it hanging there until I need to tow it again. I don't use it for anything else. Any thoughts?

Thank you
Jeff

Capt. Mike · 04-14-2019, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gixxer340

I have a companion slider and it weighs at least 250#. I was wondering if it would be OK to leave it hanging from the pin of the trailer when not in use. It would be easier to just use the jacks to pick it up out of the truck and leave it hanging there until I need to tow it again. I don't use it for anything else. Any thoughts?

Thank you
Jeff

Jeff,

A B & W Companion hitch? On My B & W, the hitch head lifts off fairly easily with the two handles on the side, then un-pin the bottom part of the hitch and remove it. It doesn't weigh all that much when disassembled in parts. I'm sure the kingpin would support the weight (probably not much different than having a washer/dryer in the nose of the trailer), but I don't think I want my hitch suspended from the kinkpin while the trailer is in storage.

CHICKDOE · 04-14-2019, 07:45 PM

i have seen people do it. one comment is to make sure the hitched it locked so it doesn't open while hanging there.

i love my tree with a limb over the driveway. i can hook a winch to it to install/ uninstall the hitch. a furniture dolly makes a great hitch caddy.

Kimber45 · 04-14-2019, 07:51 PM

ditch the slider and get yourself and Anderson ultimate. soon or later you are going to have to lift it to reinstall it.

NMWildcat · 04-14-2019, 09:22 PM

I have several friends with heavy sliders who do exactly what you are proposing when they have to clear the bed of their truck. Doesn't seem to cause them any problems.

Gixxer340 · 04-15-2019, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Mike

Jeff,

but I don't think I want my hitch suspended from the kinkpin while the trailer is in storage.

Yes, but is there any reason you couldn't?

Thank you
Jeff

Capt. Mike · 04-15-2019, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gixxer340

Yes, but is there any reason you couldn't?

Thank you
Jeff

No, just personal preference.

rjshiflet · 04-15-2019, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Mike

No, just personal preference.

Ditto - plus, my B&W Companion hitch also comes apart into two sections...each weighing approximately 75 pounds. It makes for very easy removal (despite the fact that I'm crowding in on 70 years of age).

Gixxer340 · 04-15-2019, 10:11 AM

Even with the head off it the base definitely weighs more than 75#. I believe the hitch, when together, weighs in the 280# range. Than means the base weighs about 200# with the head removed. My son and I muscled it out yesterday so now it is sitting on my garage floor. I will just have to lift it again to put it back in. Since I only use it for the RV I just though it would be easier to just leave it with it.

5picker · 04-15-2019, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gixxer340

Even with the head off it the base definitely weighs more than 75#. I believe the hitch, when together, weighs in the 280# range. Than means the base weighs about 200# with the head removed. My son and I muscled it out yesterday so now it is sitting on my garage floor. I will just have to lift it again to put it back in. Since I only use it for the RV I just though it would be easier to just leave it with it.

As mentioned, many people do leave it attached to the pin box.
It is a personal preference how you want to remove YOUR hitch.

Leaving a 300# hitch attached to the pin box will have no more ill effects to the 5th wheel or the hitch, than the forces exerted on them traveling down the road.

JohnD10 · 04-15-2019, 10:21 AM

I've thought about hanging my 280-pound slider on the king pin when not in use, but haven't tried it yet.

Putting it back in the truck is what I'm interested in hearing about.

NMWildcat · 04-15-2019, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnD10

I've thought about hanging my 280-pound slider on the king pin when not in use, but haven't tried it yet.

Putting it back in the truck is what I'm interested in hearing about.

My friends just talked about this. One guy spends an inordinate amount of time positioning the truck to set the hitch precisely in the mounts. The other one gets his close enough, lowers the hitch on to the truck bed enough to relieve pressure to release the hitch. Then man handles it into the mounts. Neither seemed to think it was a major pita.

Helmsey · 04-15-2019, 12:36 PM

I generally leave by Companion (non slider) hanging over the winter months when we camp less. To put it back in the truck I just get it close and set it down in the truck and can maneuver by hand the rest of the way. The last time I put it back in the truck I had my 7 year old daughter help me and made it super easy!

chaps2018 · 04-15-2019, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimber45

ditch the slider and get yourself and Anderson ultimate...

X2 just sayin’.

JohnD10 · 04-15-2019, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimber45

ditch the slider and get yourself and Anderson ultimate.

Not really a good answer...

Especially when most of us already have a hitch.

I almost bought an Anderson hitch at a rally last year.

Glad I didn't waste my money on it.

5picker · 04-15-2019, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnD10

I've thought about hanging my 280-pound slider on the king pin when not in use, but haven't tried it yet.

Putting it back in the truck is what I'm interested in hearing about.

Just get close and set it down on the bed.
Unlatch and use a pry bar to position it into/onto the rails or whatever method you use to attach. No grunt work necessary and takes no more time than having to throw a hitch over a ball, pin it and torque it down.

Because... not everyone wants to use an Andersen... just sayin'!

Brendon37 · 04-15-2019, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gixxer340

I have a companion slider and it weighs at least 250#. I was wondering if it would be OK to leave it hanging from the pin of the trailer when not in use. It would be easier to just use the jacks to pick it up out of the truck and leave it hanging there until I need to tow it again. I don't use it for anything else. Any thoughts?

Thank you
Jeff

I leave my hitch hanging from the king pin when not in use. Now I know my Pullrite hitch doesn't weigh as much as yours but I see no problem with it hanging. No more stress than when its all attached to the truck going down the road. When it's time to put it back in the bed I just get it close enough,lower it in the bed, then man handle it back onto the rails.

NMWildcat · 04-15-2019, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnD10

Not really a good answer...

Especially when most of us already have a hitch.

I almost bought an Anderson hitch at a rally last year.

Glad I didn't waste my money on it.

Agreed. Getting a different hitch, especially a different type, seems like something you would do when you getting a new RV or new TV, as you are going to incur those types of costs anyway.
It sure doesn't address the OPs original question.

MilCop4523 · 04-15-2019, 01:42 PM

I'm using a Flex Air Trail air pin box and hang my Reese 16 K with slider and now my under box Ford frame off the pin box. cannot see where it would damage it.

dwebster · 04-15-2019, 03:37 PM

I have a heavy slider hitch. Even the base is too heavy to manhandle. I bought an electric hoist from Harbour Freight that hangs in my garage. I also bought a furniture dolly from the same place. If I am not going to be towing for a while, I hoist the hitch out, put it on the furniture dolly and move it out of the way. No muss , no bother.

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