Hitching up

[Bnrc73]

2010 Montana 3400rl. This is my first 5er. During PDI the tech backed up a hooked up while I observed. When I hookup for the first time myself next week, I have a question. Do to a very tight parking pad in my back yard I wondered if there's any wiggle room to being perfectly straight to the pin? I can get it straight with a little wiggling the TV, but it would be easier with a slight Angle. Any opinions will help. Thanks in advance.

[BuilderBob]

You have a little wiggle room but not much a lot depends on what kind of hitch you have
some have more then others and it's no problem others if you are not right on can ketch the pin and jam it up! maybe take some practices runs at it to see how it go's

Bob & Carol
Washington St
2017 HC 352RL 2008 Dodge 3500 DRW CC LB 4x4

Happy trails

[BB_TX]

In one particular instance (that I will not elaborate on ) I had to hook up to mine at a severe angle, approaching 90 degrees. It would not slide up onto the hitch as it normally does, so I raised the trailer where the bottom of the pin box plate was about level with the top of the hitch plate. And the pin slipped right in and latched easily.

Don’t think you can do that with an auto slider hitch.

[Carl n Susan]

You didn't mention the bed length of the truck and the type of hitch you have. The 2010 Montana may have come with a Lippert or a MorRyde pin box, I don't recall. I assume for now, you have a long pin pox and not the short one.

Most long beds and hitches can connect at a pretty severe to extreme angle. The less angle the better but 30 degrees is not a problem. You do need to watch that the tailgate, if you have a standard one, doesn't impact the garage door of the Montana. This where the short v. long pin box can make a difference.

If you a short bed, then there are variations. Most manual sliders and regular hitches can hookup although you might have move the slider to the rear to clear the door. The PullRite automatic hitch is the only one I know which wants you to be straight on when hooking up. This is due to the wedge on the pin adapter.

[Bnrc73]

Originally Posted by carl n susan

You didn't mention the bed length of the truck and the type of hitch you have. The 2010 Montana may have come with a Lippert or a MorRyde pin box, I don't recall. I assume for now, you have a long pin pox and not the short one.

Most long beds and hitches can connect at a pretty severe to extreme angle. The less angle the better but 30 degrees is not a problem. You do need to watch that the tailgate, if you have a standard one, doesn't impact the garage door of the Montana. This where the short v. long pin box can make a difference.

If you a short bed, then there are variations. Most manual sliders and regular hitches can hookup although you might have move the slider to the rear to clear the door. The PullRite automatic hitch is the only one I know which wants you to be straight on when hooking up. This is due to the wedge on the pin adapter.

6-1/2 foot box. Mor/ride hitch

[mlh]

I’ve hooked up at at least 45 degrees and hooked to a DRV at 90 degrees. 45 degrees is no problem.
Lynwood

[Theunz]

If you can get the kingpin in the V of the hitch you should be ok----IF the trailer is low enough that the hitch raises the trailer up off the ground a 1/2" or so. If the hitch lifts the trailer it will move it enough to complete the hookup, if it doesn't lift it enough it might damage the landing gear. As mentioned watch that tailgate for contact with the front of the trailer. And after getting hooked ALWAYS do a tug test AND a visual inspection of the hitch jaws ALWAYS!!!

[The Bone]

I can see my hitch in the rear view mirror. I can center the pin every time. I have a 6.5 foot bed and no problem hooking at any angle. No slider

[Captain 'Murica]

In theory it is not really a problem. However, if you have an autoslider hitch it won't work. Also, you want to be careful about banding your tailgate on the trailer at an odd angle. I know that even straight on with my tailgate down i only have a couple of inches between the tailgate and the trailer.

Go slow, use judgment and watch YouTube to see other peoples mistakes so that you don't make them yourself. Good luck!

[Bnrc73]

Thanks for all the great advice. Since I'll be looking at 10-15 degrees off center I should be ok. Take it slow and "goal". (get out and look). Happy camping. Heading out next week for a couple days of casino camping. Wish us luck.

[mlh]

[QUOTE=Bnrc73;1097163Heading out next week for a couple days of casino camping. Wish us luck.[/QUOTE]
Luck
You will need it the odds are stacked against you.
Lynwood

[mtlakejim]

It depends on what you mean by perfectly straight. If you mean can you back up at an angle to the trailer then yes you can do that at least with a fixed (IE:non sliding) hitch or even with non automatic sliders. Only hitch I would question if it would be an issue is the automatic sliders. I will default to someone else who has one of those for the expertise.


I would caution about trying to hitch up if your bed is tilted driver to passenger side however as that can cause issues if the angle is too extreme......


Like others have mentioned you should keep an eye on your tailgate clearance, especially while trying to hitch at severe angles.

[footz1941]

Anderson Ultimate 20K. No problems about being straight or not. Like has been said watch your tailgate

[The Bone]

you chalk the wheels on the trailer. I bent a landing gear because i forgot to chalk the wheels.