Removing your hitch...Ouch!

[sfretts]

Hi,

We have a pullrite hitch on our truck. I also have a canopy and have trying to figure out an easy way to pull the hitch by myself. I have been looking at Shop hoists (engine hoist) and the reach for the smaller ones is too short. The heavier ones would work, but are bulky and expensive. Anyone find a one man solution for pulling tht heavy hitch off the truck???

[HamRad]

Sfreets,

Some people leave the hitch connected to the king pin and simply drive out from under the trailer. The hitch is left hanging from the king pin. I've never done this and I've not actually seen it done. But I know that folks have reported doing it.

Good luck.

HamRad

[Ozz]

I have an inexpensive Harbor freight electric hoist I use, it works well for me.

[bsmeaton]

I just got through putting our Reese back in after leaving it hanging on the pin box for about 30 days. I needed the room in the back of the truck.

It worked fine. In fact, I was a little surprised that the hitch doesn't weigh that much after all, even with the slider. I had to manually huff it back into place on the rails.

[Charlie]

Mine is a Draw-Tite. I pull the pin on the head and lift it off. Then I remove the base, sit it on the floor in the garage and put the head back on. Together they I guess they weigh about 100#, but apart I can handle them.

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by Charlie

Mine is a Draw-Tite. I pull the pin on the head and lift it off. Then I remove the base, sit it on the floor in the garage and put the head back on. Together they I guess they weigh about 100#, but apart I can handle them.

My Husky, made by RBW, works the same...but is a bit heavier.

[Ozz]

Steve,
Here are some pictures of my hoist and hitch in action: The Harbor Freight unit is really a nice back-saver.
It helped me take my hitch apart, I wanted to service the twin air-bags. I did all this by myself, it would have taken a few guys to pry and lift these heavy parts.

[bw2]

I take mine apart. I pull the pins out of the 'plate' section and remove it first. Then I pull the pins holding the base to the rails, and remove the base, using a 2 wheel truck. Then I remove the rails.

[DarMar]

We use a simple chain hoist mounted like Ozz in our garage/shed. Have a couple of short chains with hooks instead of the rope and once out of the truck set the unit down on a 2' x 2' platform with castors and roll the hitch to where I need it.

[jackandh2o]

Ozz, is that the one that sells for around $60.00 or is it higher priced.

Ray

[Ozz]

Darwin, I have since made a long l-shaped bar with slots in it, and a center lift point attachment. That way, I can use it with my tool boxes I have to switch when hauling the Monte as well as with the hitch.
The chains and Dolley are a good move.
Ray, I am not sure what I paid for it, but it was the cheap one.

[sfretts]

Thanks for all the replies. Ozz, what type of rail do you use for the winch. I also have one back in the corner of the garage to stack my trailers I tow with the motorcycle. I would have to build some type of rail to slide the winch out to where I could get to it. I just have a piece of pipe with a little grease on it to slide the trailer over when lifted.

Originally passed on this option as the garage doors are in the way
Steve

[Ozz]

Steve, I just used square stock for it's strength. Pipe would slide better, especially with a load on it. I have a short section to center the lift a little.

[NCFischers]

I'm in the process of installing a winch to the rafters of the barn to lift the hitch. I'm also working on a winch system to remove the cap from the truck.

[Bill-N-Donna]

I use the camper as a hoist. Back underneath and hook up, pull the pins, lift the hitch above the bed of the truck and then drive out from underneath of it. I do make certain I lock the hitch on the pin to avoid theft if possible and also to secure it so it won’t fall. Here is a photo of the hitch on the Monty when out of the truck.

Have a Merry Christmas!

[Ozz]

Jim, I welded up a double spreader attachment so my brother could winch his hard top on and off of his Jeep by himself. Sounds like what you are going to do. Bill, I like that way of removing it, you can do that at any campground.

[radio flyer]

I have a pullrite superglide 18. Just pull the pins out and pry up with a small bar, slide a 2X4 under it and slide to rear of the truck bed. I did it myself, had a friend help me lift it out of the truck. It is not a big job. Take about 10 minutes.

[grampachet]

My approach is totally different than any I have heard. I simply remove pins, lift it up and move it ahead to the front rail using 2x4 pry bar. Now the hitch is still in bed but the rear pins are in the front rail and the front pins are resting on two small pieces of plywood. This gives me plenty of room for all the Christmas presents for all 7 grandkids and the hitch is locked into place and near when I need it again. This eliminates taking it out and putting it back so often. This works great for us.

[maphillips]

I bought a good, inexpensive hoist from DR Power. I think it has a 440 pound capacity. Works great. http://www.drpower.com/

[maphillips]

Try this site. http://www.drpower.com/prdSell.aspx?...=ElectricHoist