Hitch replacement

[padredw]

OK, I've been saying "TrailAir hitch", but actually what we have just installed is really the TrailAir "pin box coupler". With that correction here is my question:

We have the standard Reese 15K hitch in our pickup. We have pulled three different trailers with it. After talking with Dale (TrailAir owner), my desire for a 'tilting' hitch has been confirmed. I mean, of course, the hitch which tilts from side to side as well as fore and aft.

Is there any way I can just replace the 'top' portion of the hitch and use the existing Reese framework. It would be wonderful if I could use even the "A frame" which fits into the bottom rails and just replace the hitch mechanism itself.

Frankly, I do not have the vocabulary to describe what I am looking for, but maybe my awkward language may suggest to someone who knows about such matters whether there is any possibility of getting these replacement parts.

Please help me if you can!

[Charlie]

I think what you are wanting to do is replace your present hitch but keep your present rails. I have a 16K Draw-Tite (side to side and front to back tilt) and know that the 5th wheel and a goose neck hitch are interchangeable on the rails that I have. Reese and Draw-Tite are made by the same company so you might be able to discuss this with a dealer and see if differet A-frame and hitch will fit on your rails. Dicount Hitch here in the Houston area sells and installs lots of trailer hitches, someone such as this might be able to answer your queston.

[padredw]

Thanks, Charlie, I have found in the meantime that I can buy a complete 16K Reese hitch for less than the cost of the head assembly alone. PPL in Houston has the 16 K hitch on sale for $499. The head assembly from them would be $615. I was afraid of that. I think I will go ahead and buy the entire hitch and use my existing rails.

[MIMF]

David,

I think what you are wanting is a "double-pivot" 5th wheel hitch. That is, it does swivel side-to-side as well as fore-and-aft. My 16K Reese does that plus is also a "slider". However, since I now have an 8 foot bed, I don't use the "slider" much if at all anymore.

[joe2speed]

It is possible to change the hitch over to a double pivot. Call Reese and ask for a list of parts to convert. I have a Valley 16K slider that was installed when I bought my first fiver. It was a single pivot and I did not like it. Trying to hitch or unhitch when I was not level was not easy. I called Valley and asked if it could be converted and they gave me a list of parts I would need. The cost was about $250 and they paid for shipping. Putting it together was a piece of cake.