Removing fifth wheel hitch

[gelswick]

Unfortunately my tow vehicle is also a work vehicle that requires a full bed of tools when used for work. Has anyone come up with a quick and easy way to remove and install the hitch, a hoist system or something? Going to be 63 soon and lifting that hitch from the ground to the bed is just not going to happen by myself.

[NCFischers]

I bought a winch from Harbor Freight and installed it in the rafters in the barn. A push of a button and up comes the hitch.

[snfexpress]

Here's a thought:

Hook up to your king pin, remove any pins you must to remove your hitch, raise your 5er and drive away, leaving it hanging from the king pin.

[CORattler]

+1 that's the way I would do it!

quote:Originally posted by snfexpress

Here's a thought:

Hook up to your king pin, remove any pins you must to remove your hitch, raise your 5er and drive away, leaving it hanging from the king pin.

[Rondo]

Well Michael beat me to it again! You could do it that way or you can also buy an engine hoist off of Craigs list(there are quite a few there normally and they go relatively cheap too). I just built a new home for the Monte and I was going to do as Jim(NCFisher)did with the electric winch but I've decided to purchase the engine hoist instead and I can use it for other things too and it is portable to move around the buiilding! Sorry Jim!

[PSFORD99]

quote:Originally posted by NCFischers

I bought a winch from Harbor Freight and installed it in the rafters in the barn. A push of a button and up comes the hitch.

Yup, a 100 dollar winch from HF ,and a couple eye bolts.

[Lee F.]

quote:Originally posted by PSFORD99

Yup, a 100 dollar winch from HF ,and a couple eye bolts.

X3

[pineranch]

Bought an engine hoist from Harbor Freight and made a sling for my Superglide. While at Harbor Freight, saw a moving dolly for $15, bought it, added a couple of 4X4's and now have a hitch dolly.
Mike

[gelswick]

Ahhhhhh..... Didn't think of Harbor Freight, Looked this afternoon and came up with a workable hoist using a come-a-long. Have to check HF to see what they have...

Thanks All!!

[1retired06]

Hanging the hitch from the king pin is an option I had not considered. Lot of weight on those jaws. I would probably check with my hitch manufacturer before using that approach, just to double check to ensure no potential damage potential.

[Fire5er]

Been hangin from the pin for 5 years now.

[Recumbent]

Hang it on the Pin Box, but an engine hoist is a good idea.

[CBTraveler]

Winch and dolly has worked great for the last 5 years

[GA Mountaineer]

quote:Originally posted by 1retired06

Hanging the hitch from the king pin is an option I had not considered. Lot of weight on those jaws. I would probably check with my hitch manufacturer before using that approach, just to double check to ensure no potential damage potential.

If it wont hold it's own weight, I don't want to pull my trailer with it.

[pappy65]

I also have a chain hoist in my garage that is held by a chain through drywall over beam in attic.I remove the head by removing 2 pins and then attach a small chain where the head was and hook hoist to this chain. I lift out of truck, then lower onto furniture dolly and roll it under shelving in garage. Takes a few minutes, but there is no strain at all. Mine is fairly heavy slider.

[gelswick]

Found the electric hoist at Harbor Freight along with the $8 furniture dolley and a strap to pick it up with all with a 20% off coupon. Now for the time to put it all together.

Mayby there should be a Harbor Freight forum here also...I quit going shortly after they opened here because of the poor quality tools, looks like things have changed though, much better quality now then I remember.

[Bill-N-Donna]

Up until very recently I always pulled up to the Monty and hooked it up. Pulled the pins and raised the hitch and left it hanging on the Monty. I now have a better way where I have my own work shop. I purchased a hoist and mounted it in the rafters as mentioned. It works great and I also have the ability to remove anything from the bed of the truck when needed, e.g. I have a wooden tool box and after a small modification of adding some clevis hooks I hoist it in and out of the bed as desired. Place the hitch on a dolly and roll it aside and well as the tool box. I’m not set up to pull an engine but it’s very adequate for my needs. Overall a lot more convenient than hooking up to the Monty but the Monty will work.

[Rspradling]

If your going to hurt the jaws by hanging on a kingpin i would not want to tow with it to begin with.

[Ozz]

When you engineer something to work in a certain direction, like a lateral load, it might put undue strain on the item with a vertical load, the hitch is very stout, and that may be fine, but it goes against my thinking to hang it that way.
I would not do it, but to each their own as they say.
overhauling the hitch for the next trip, cosmetic mostly. You can't check them over hanging on the trailer.

[kdeiss]

I pull the big Pin on my Reese 16K remove the head then the base a lot easer lifting the two parts then the complete unit
I then put it on moving dolly