Can I tow with a short bed? / What is a Kwik-Slide?

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). It also may be helpful to add a Reese Kwik-Slide (Part # 30048) for increased turning clearance for low speed, non-highway maneuvering. Long bed tow vehicles are generally recommended to pull fifth wheel trailers.

Where should I position the hitch in the bed?

Specific instructions for most commonly used vehicles are included. If these instructions do not apply to your vehicle, be sure that all four corners are tied to the vehicle frame. Each frame bracket must be bolted to the vehicle frame with two bolts, unless optional weld is used. These instructions are guidelines only, actual installation is the responsibility of the installer and the owner. Always measure truck and trailer before installing hitch to be sure that there is clearance at the cab and at the bumper to allow for turns.

Reese has provided complete instructions with every base rail and installation kit to act as a guideline for the installation. The instructions included in the rail and installation kit provide you with the exact location to provide for the correct amount of turning clearance. Reese recommends a minimum of 52" clearance from the center of the hitch to the rear of the cab. This can be achieved on a normal long bed truck (8' bed). These positions are all based on a normal eight foot wide trailer. Short bed trucks will not be able to maintain the 52" clearance and can pull only trailers with the minimum 13.5" extended pin box.

Can I install over a bed liner?

Do not install mounting rails over plastic bed liners. Plastic bed liners must be cut out of the way. Base rails may be installed on spray in liner. Note: Consult installer for recommended curing time.

What is the largest size trailer I can tow with my truck?

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).

What kind of maintenance needs to be done to the 5th Wheel Hitch?

1. Lubricate skid plate surface of the hitch with automotive type chassis grease or use a plastic lube plate to provide a lubricated surface. Use white lithium spray lube or engine oil to lubricate pivot points of moving parts within the hitch.
2. Plastic lube plates 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 are in place and the spring retaining pins are installed.
5. Recheck tightness of all hardware every 1000 miles of use.
6. Lubrication to the hitch is essential to provide for a good long service life. Any pivoting point inside the head should be lubricated with a white lithium spray lube. The pivoting points outside the head need to be lubricated with a high pressure lube, such as 80/90 gear lube or grease. Reese offers the high pressure lube. This will allow for easier operation of the hitch. The skid plate can use either grease or a minimum of a 10" lube plate. When lubricating you should always remove the old lubricant to remove any road grim that has collected to prevent excessive wearing of components. All hardware should be inspected and torqued periodically per the recommended torque specification in the instruction manual.
   

Why do I need side to side tilt?

The side to side tilt will assist you in hooking up and unhooking on mildly unlevel ground. This will also provide a smoother ride with less stress to the ruck and trailer.

Is it better to weld the brackets to the frame or bolt them?

Be sure that all four corners are tied to the vehicle frame. Each frame bracket must be bolted to the vehicle frame with two bolts, unless optional weld is used. These instructions are guidelines only, actual installation is the responsibility of the installer and the owner.

Either way is acceptable. If the you choose to have the brackets welded to the frame, Reese requires the brackets to be welded by a certified welder. When bolting the brackets to the frame, you will need to install two bolts per bracket to the side of the frame to prevent any movement. Please refer to the vehicle's owners manual before welding to any frame.

What is a lube plate or a slip disk?

Plastic lube plates 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.

Lube plate, provides a greaseless lubricant between the skid plates of the fifth wheel hitch and the pin box. When using a lube plate it should be a minimum of a ten inch diameter to prevent any damage from occurring to the hitch.

What kind of lubricant should I use?

Use white lithium spray lube or engine oil to lubricate pivot points of moving parts within the hitch. The pivoting points inside the hitch head should be lubricated with a white lithium spray lube. You will also want to lubricate the length of the interior handle and the coils of the springs. This will allow for easier operation of hitch. The pivoting points outside should be lubricated with a high pressure lubricant such as a 80/90 gear lube or a grease. Which ever lubricant you use, you will want to remove and clean the old lubricant before applying new. These steps will help to provide many years of service to your hitch.

What is an extended pin box?

The extended pin boxes are measured from the center of the pin box on the overhang of the trailer to the center of the kingpin.