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06-28-2017, 03:04 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Kingston
Posts: 295
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hook-up issues...
Hi folks.
Fairly new to 5th wheels.
My current setup is a Curt 24 hitch (stationary) in an 8ft bed.
5er is a 36' Raptor.
My issue is that it seems to be a major hassle to get the thing to hook up properly.
I have a hard time to get the pin to "click in" when backing up to it.
This morning I was at it for a good 15 minutes before I finally got the trailer to the right height and lined up just right so it would hook up.
This has been typical of my trying to hook up, no matter what the terrain or angle.
Also, not sure if it matters, but I use one of those "grease-less" Round Nylon disks as well.
I am wondering if there is anything I can adjust or tweak that would make this easier?
Any tips?
Thanks.
__________________
2013 Raptor 310ts Toy Hauler
2017 Dodge Ram 6.7l CTD DRW Laramie Longhorn
2008 FLHTC Harley.
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06-28-2017, 03:21 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,179
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Well there isn't much to line up!
Pin box bottom lower the top of hitch plate by 1" to 2" that way the pin will not be high. You can also be off side to side up to about an inch.
You are backing in to the pin, and not trying to drop in as with a ball hitch, sorry to ask just née to be sure.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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06-28-2017, 03:26 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Kingston
Posts: 295
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rhagfo
Well there isn't much to line up!
Pin box bottom lower the top of hitch plate by 1" to 2" that way the pin will not be high. You can also be off side to side up to about an inch.
You are backing in to the pin, and not trying to drop in as with a ball hitch, sorry to ask just née to be sure.
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Yes, backing into it.
I realize it "should" be fairly easy. That's why I'm asking.
Thanks.
I also should have stated that I do still have the "Dummy" pin that came loaded into the hitch when it was new, and it clicks into the hitch nice and easy, as it should.
__________________
2013 Raptor 310ts Toy Hauler
2017 Dodge Ram 6.7l CTD DRW Laramie Longhorn
2008 FLHTC Harley.
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06-28-2017, 03:51 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,237
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When your new at it, hitching up can be a bit frustrating. As stated, set the bottom of the pin box about an inch or two below the level of the horseshoe. You want the hitch to lift the pin box just a bit. Using a round lube ring shouldn't have any affect and they are an excellent device IMO.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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06-28-2017, 04:07 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
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It should be a straight forward (well, backing up) event. If the trailer kingpin is not damaged and the hitch jaws are not damaged, position the trailer pinbox so the nylon/Teflon disc is about 1/2" below the hitch plate, back into the "gap" and as your kingpin hits the trigger, the jaws should close around the kingpin.
If it's not happening that way, then look for something bent/broken/loose. If you can't find anything, I'd give Curt a call at 800.798.0813. Their customer service is excellent at solving problems.
Please let us know what you find, it's sure to help someone else "down the line"....
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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06-28-2017, 04:14 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,179
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An you see the hitch plate while backing up??
If not could do like did when hooking DD gooseneck horse trailer. Place a magnetic recovery stick at the front of the hitch plate with the handle raised enough to see and place a center of the pin box mark on the pin box or front of the trailer where you can see it to line up. The pin box will knock the magnetic stick out of the way when the pin slides in.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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06-28-2017, 04:16 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Kingston
Posts: 295
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
When your new at it, hitching up can be a bit frustrating. As stated, set the bottom of the pin box about an inch or two below the level of the horseshoe. You want the hitch to lift the pin box just a bit. Using a round lube ring shouldn't have any affect and they are an excellent device IMO.
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Thanks Chuckster.
I was just out playing around in the LEVEL driveway with it, and once the trailer was set to exactly the right height, it seems to hitch without issue.
I did notice that what may be causing some of my frustration is that my TV has automatically adjusting air bags in the rear, and as I back into the trailer, it adjusts for the weight.
It takes a few moments once I "drop" to adjust to the "no load" level, so if I pull out and then try to immediately back in, the truck is sitting higher.
__________________
2013 Raptor 310ts Toy Hauler
2017 Dodge Ram 6.7l CTD DRW Laramie Longhorn
2008 FLHTC Harley.
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06-28-2017, 04:24 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Kingston
Posts: 295
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rhagfo
An you see the hitch plate while backing up??
If not could do like did when hooking DD gooseneck horse trailer. Place a magnetic recovery stick at the front of the hitch plate with the handle raised enough to see and place a center of the pin box mark on the pin box or front of the trailer where you can see it to line up. The pin box will knock the magnetic stick out of the way when the pin slides in.
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Thanks, that's a great tip, but ya, I can see it in both the Cab mounted backup camera and in the mirrored surface on the Trailer.
I'll keep practicing I guess.
I don't see anything damaged on the King Pin and the hitch is brand new.
__________________
2013 Raptor 310ts Toy Hauler
2017 Dodge Ram 6.7l CTD DRW Laramie Longhorn
2008 FLHTC Harley.
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06-28-2017, 04:25 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Kingston
Posts: 295
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
It should be a straight forward (well, backing up) event. If the trailer kingpin is not damaged and the hitch jaws are not damaged, position the trailer pinbox so the nylon/Teflon disc is about 1/2" below the hitch plate, back into the "gap" and as your kingpin hits the trigger, the jaws should close around the kingpin.
If it's not happening that way, then look for something bent/broken/loose. If you can't find anything, I'd give Curt a call at 800.798.0813. Their customer service is excellent at solving problems.
Please let us know what you find, it's sure to help someone else "down the line"....
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Thanks for the link. I may have to resort to that, but I'll keep playing with it a bit first.
__________________
2013 Raptor 310ts Toy Hauler
2017 Dodge Ram 6.7l CTD DRW Laramie Longhorn
2008 FLHTC Harley.
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06-28-2017, 06:22 PM
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#10
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Site Team | Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Western PA
Posts: 2,732
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I think the key is coming in low with the pin and having it ride up onto the hitch saddle
__________________
2013 RAPTOR 300MP w/Rear Patio Deck NO Folding Side Ladder
2013 Silverado 3500HD LTZ CC LB 4X4 DRW
Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel; Allison Trans
Reese 20K; Carlisle Radial Trail RH/HD; TPMS (12 Tires)
Veteran
PSU (GO LIONS)
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06-28-2017, 07:35 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 28
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I have the same hitch head, and found that I needed to have the king pin lined up almost perfectly with the jaws. If I was off centre by a little, the trailer would just move backwards. As mentioned in the other posts, put some weight on the fifth wheel plate, then back under, it should latch every time. I use to drive a truck and found it easier to hook up a 53 foot trailer to a highway tractor, than it is to hook up the 5er to the pickup truck. It's hard to teach an old truck driver new tricks.
__________________
Doug & Tracy
2016 Ford F-350 Diesel
2017 Avalanche 370RD
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06-29-2017, 05:29 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Sherman
Posts: 326
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I have a Curt 24 and find it much more picky to latch than my old Reese. The comment about backing into it dead center seems to be the trick
__________________
2017 Alpine 3401RS,Titan Disc brakes,Morryde SRE 4000, 2016 Ram 3500HD Laramie SRW,LWB,4X4, Aisin transmission
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06-29-2017, 05:38 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Tidewater Area Virginia
Posts: 1,271
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My Super Glide is picky too, not too much about height but about being lined up really close to perfect. Off an inch or so and most of the time it won't slide over and catch, it'll be stubborn until you get it right.
__________________
2014 Raptor RP300MP w/ Rear Patio Party Deck, Folding Side Ladder, 6 Point Level Up, Carlisle Radial Trail HDs
2004 2500HD D/A CC SB - TTT Mirrors, Prodigy BC, 18K Pullrite Superglide, NEW Fuel Injectors 11/2015 (ouch)
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06-29-2017, 06:55 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Arizona
Posts: 375
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I have a Curt 20, (even tho it has the Mopar sticker on it). Also have a Blue Ox bed saver mounted to the hitch. I back to the fiver, lower the kingpin to where it just touches the bed saver and back in. The trailer rides up onto the hitch plate and it snaps shut every time w/o a problem. Don't have to be perfectly lined up either. The hitch does have to be greased periodically. See your manual; it shows where to grease. Also, you have to have the hitch handle pulled out so the jaws are open to receive the pin. Sure you know all this but trying to cover all bases. My Curt is a huge improvement over the old Reese we used to have.
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05-22-2018, 11:47 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Kingston
Posts: 295
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I know this is old, but I remembered posting it and wanted to update it for anyone who stumbles on it in a search:
After putting around 1000KM or so of towing on the setup, things seem to have loosened up/worked in so that the unit now hooks up quite easily, as was mentioned earlier in the post that it should.
I don't think I was ever doing anything different than I do now, it (the hitch head) just needed to be worked in a bit.
__________________
2013 Raptor 310ts Toy Hauler
2017 Dodge Ram 6.7l CTD DRW Laramie Longhorn
2008 FLHTC Harley.
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05-22-2018, 12:19 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
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Glad it’s working well for you now. I have a Curt A20 and am just learning myself.
__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
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05-22-2018, 05:40 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Brighton
Posts: 102
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I’m fairly new to 5ers as well. I struggled at first trying to get the height right. Until I read the tip on this forum to have the king pin a little low and have the truck pick the trailer up slightly when backing up. It snaps in first time, every time, since using this tip. Another useful tip is a test pull to be sure things are secure. I witnessed a 5er dropping on the bed of a fairly new truck a couple weeks ago. UGLY!
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05-22-2018, 06:18 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Richmond
Posts: 113
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Damn good idea
__________________
Doug & Diane * Richmond,VA
2014 Keystone Cougar
M-315 High Country 5th Wheel
2014 RAM 2500 Laramie 392 Hemi
AirLifts
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05-23-2018, 08:26 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
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How do you do your test pull?
__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
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05-23-2018, 08:59 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Brighton
Posts: 102
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbos
How do you do your test pull?
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Do a pull test with the 5er wheels blocked and the landing legs an inch or so off the ground to keep the 5er from dropping on your truck if the jaws are not properly locked. Pull TV forward until you feel pressure. If jaws are locked and hold against this pressure the 5er is properly hitched.
Some folks do add the hitch add on mentioned earlier to “catch” the kingpin if the hitch jaws fail. 😖
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