How To Install A Fifth Wheel Hitch On A Truck

5th Wheel Hitch Installation How-To

15 Steps to Install Brackets, Rails and the Hitch

How do you lot install a 5th wheel hitch? Installing a fifth wheel hitch involves removing the spare tire, measuring where commodities holes demand to be drilled, drilling into the truck bed, assembling the fifth wheel hitch, measuring the trailer top, installing bolts and torqueing hardware.

In the post-obit guide, we will go pace-by-pace through the process of 5th wheel hitch installation. Remember to follow the specific instructions for associates when mounting your own 5th wheel hitch.

Remove the spare tire
Position the front base of operations runway
Mark the first drill location and drill a pilot hole
Cheque the pilot hole under the truck bed and drill the remaining holes
Enlarge the commodities holes
Bolt in the nether-bed brackets
Bolt down the front fifth wheel rails
Mensurate the 5th cycle hitch height
Adhere the 5th wheel legs
Position the rear 5th wheel rail
Drill holes for the rear base rail
Bolt downwardly the rear base rail
Install any remaining bolts
Torque all hardware
Secure the 5th wheel hitch

How to install 5th wheel runway video

How to install a 5th wheel hitch video

Step past Step 5th Bicycle Installation

Step 1: Remove the spare tire

Installing a 5th bicycle with brackets and base rails requires access to the underbelly of your truck bed. Remove the spare tire to give yourself more space.

You may also need to remove a heat shield or other components throughout the process. Exist sure to follow the instructions accompanying your specific hitch.

Step 2: Position the front base rail

Place the base of operations track that will exist closest to the truck cab into position, measuring the correct distance from the front of the truck bed. This distance can vary between long-bed and short-bed pickup trucks. Refer to the instructions for exact measurements.

You will also need to middle the base of operations rail between the wheel wells.

Footstep 3: Mark the first drill locations

With the base of operations rail correctly positioned, marking the bolt hole locations for the rail, using a paint pen.

And then, use a centre dial to marking but ane of the drill locations. The other bolt locations will be marked in a later step. The center-punch volition pinpoint exactly where to drill and will aid keep the drill flake from wandering. Finally, drill a pilot pigsty down through the marked location.

Footstep iv: Bank check the airplane pilot hole under the bed

Temporarily position the appropriate nether-bed fifth cycle bracket, corresponding to the pilot hole location you just drilled.

If the bracket lines up correctly with the hole, the remaining bolt holes tin can be drilled. Mark them with a paint pen, move the base rail out of the way, eye-dial the drill locations and drill down from higher up the truck bed.

Step v: Enlarge the bolt holes

Using a step bit, drill out the airplane pilot holes until they are large plenty to accept the bolts of the 5th wheel rails. Get slowly and drill carefully.

With the bolts holes drilled to the proper size, nosotros recommend using some touch-up paint to protect any exposed metallic edges. This will help prevent corrosion. Deburr the drilled holes, so apply the paint.

Step six: Commodities in the under-bed brackets

Position the under-bed brackets on either side of the truck bed. These are typically installed from the wheel well opening.

Identify the appropriate subclass or brackets into position and fasten them to the frame of the truck with the included nuts and bolts. And so, fasten the other bracket on the contrary side of the truck.

Step 7: Commodities downwardly the 5th wheel runway

Reposition the base rail again in the truck bed over the appropriate commodities pigsty locations. If the truck has bed track in the lesser of the truck bed, spacers may be included. These demand to exist positioned under the 5th wheel rails, between the truck bed rails, to ensure consistent metal-to-metallic contact.

With the rails in position, insert the bolts down through the holes and secure them with nuts applied underneath the truck bed.

Pace viii: Measure the fifth wheel hitch superlative

Your 5th wheel hitch volition need to exist installed at the correct peak to adjust your truck bed. There must be a minimum meridian departure of five-ane/two" between your truck bed walls and the trailer.

To detect the the hitch height, make sure your trailer is parked on a level surface. Then, measure from the ground to the underside of the kingpin plate (A). Next, measure from the basis to the summit of the open tailgate of your truck (B).

A minus B equals C, the required height for your 5th wheel hitch.

Demand help selecting a fifth wheel hitch?

Step 9: Adhere the fifth wheel legs

With the hitch superlative measured, find the correct mounting holes on your fifth wheel hitch caput to accommodate the necessary superlative. Most 5th bicycle hitches offer a range of vertical aligning. Position the legs onto the caput and secure them in place, using the included bolts.

For some 5th wheels, yous may need to remove the head plate to access the leg bolt holes. It may also be helpful to turn the head upside-downwards to install the legs.

For short-bed trucks, a fifth wheel slider may be needed. Acquire how to measure your truck bed.

Footstep x: Position the rear 5th wheel rail

With the fifth wheel hitch assembled, y'all can now easily notice the position for the second, rearward base rail.

Have a friend help you lift the fifth wheel hitch into place, installing the legs into the base rail yous've already installed. So, position the 2d base of operations rail, using the leg anchors on the 5th bicycle hitch every bit a guide for the correct location.

Footstep 11: Drill holes for the rear base of operations rail

Earlier mark the drill locations for the second base rail, make sure that the rail is centered in the truck bed, between the wheel wells. Then, marking the drill points with a pigment pen, motion the track out of the way (and hitch assembly if necessary), center-punch and drill pilot holes.

Next, use a step bit to enlarge the holes to the correct diameter for the base rail bolts. Finish off the bolt holes with touch-up paint to help prevent rust.

Pace 12: Bolt down the rear base track

Reposition the 2d 5th wheel rail and insert the included bolts down through the holes yous just drilled in the truck bed. The bolts will laissez passer through the track, the truck bed and the under-bed brackets already installed.

As with the first base rail, the basics to fasten the bolts will need to be installed from underneath the truck bed. Exist sure to install any spacers or additional hardware specified in the instructions.

Step thirteen: Install any remaining bolts

Some fifth wheel installations require supplemental bolts to be installed in both rails, providing enhanced security and strength. Mark the drill locations is not necessary. Simply eye-punch, using the rails as a guide. And so, drill pilot holes and enlarge the holes with a step bit.

Finally, insert the necessary bolts and fasten them with nuts underneath the truck bed.

Step xiv: Torque all hardware

With the base rails completely installed with all necessary hardware, it is fourth dimension to fully tighten the bolts. This requires a torque wrench. Torque values vary by commodities size and volition be specified in the installation instructions included with your hitch.

5th bicycle hardware may crave torque greater than a typical 100-foot-pound torque wrench can provide. Instead of purchasing a new torque wrench, call your local automotive store and ask it they rent out tools and equipment.

Step 15: Reinstall the 5th bike hitch

Lift the 5th bicycle hitch assembly dorsum into place, dropping it into the fully installed base rail. If yous haven't torqued the hardware on the hitch yet, do and so at this time. Also, make sure that all necessary pins and other components are installed before hitching upwards to tow.

FAQs

How much does it cost to install a 5th wheel hitch?

A professional fifth bike hitch installation tin toll anywhere from $lxx to $225, depending on the hourly labor rate and the components beingness installed on your truck. If custom brackets and a basic 5th wheel hitch are being installed, costs volition tend to be lower. If drilling is required and more complex 5th wheel components are needed, the price may get upward. Also note that a dealership may accuse more than an contained shop.

To decide if a professional 5th wheel install is within your budget, call a local installer and ask for a quote.

Tin can I install a 5th cycle hitch?

Yes, near fifth bicycle hitches can exist installed without professional help as long as you lot take the tools for the job. Typical tools required include a ratchet, socket set, crescent wrench, drill with drill bits and a torque wrench.

Before deciding to install the fifth cycle hitch by yourself, read through the instructions specific to your brackets, rails and hitch model.

How long does information technology take to install a fifth wheel hitch?

Installing a fifth wheel hitch can have anywhere from i hour to ii.five hours, depending on your level of expertise. Installing the custom brackets typically takes anywhere from 40 to 90 minutes. Assembling the 5th wheel hitch usually only takes 15 to xxx minutes. If your truck requires a roller or slider, an extra 20 to twoscore minutes may be required.

If y'all are installing a set of puck arrangement legs or an adapter, installation tin can be completed in just a few minutes if the hitch is already assembled.

Custom brackets (no drilling) – twoscore to 80 minutes
Semi-custom brackets (drilling may be required) - xc minutes
Fifth bike hitch assembly – 15 to xxx minutes
Roller / slider assembly – 20 to xl minutes

Where do y'all put a fifth bicycle hitch?

A fifth wheel hitch is designed to install in a truck bed, centered between the bicycle wells and mounted straight above or slightly in front of the rear axle. For exact positioning, the installation instructions will provide measurements and references to walk you through the process.

When non towing a trailer, a fifth wheel hitch can be disassembled and removed from the truck bed base rails to exist stored in your garage, shop or shed.

Back to Custom Under-Bed 5th Wheel Brackets

Source: https://www.curtmfg.com/5th-wheel/brackets/learn-more

Posted by: carnesadving.blogspot.com