Fifth Wheel Campers - Slider Hitch Information

A fifth wheel slider hitch makes all those dreams ofinstallation.
on-the-road adventure come to life when you4. In some cases, it may be necessary to adjust the
purchase a fifth wheel trailer. It's well worth the timebumper on a vehicle, or the brackets which mount to
to take your time to install it correctly.the bumper, in order to properly install the hitch. Most
Remember, if you are not confident in yourbumpers are mounted to the bumper brackets using
engineering ability it is usually better to call in thebolts in slots. Find the appropriate bolts and adjust
professionals. Better safe than sorry. A few dollarsthe bumper accordingly.
could save your life.5. Wherever possible, hitches are designed to use
Before starting:existing holes. In cases where appropriate holes are
• Make sure you have the correct hitch fornot available, holes must be drilled in the frame. Once
both your vehicle and the trailer being towed.the hitch is accurately positioned and clamped in place
• Review the instruction sheet providedon the vehicle, holes can be drilled in the appropriate
with the hitch. • Check the hitch attachmentplaces using the holes in the hitch as a guide.
area of the vehicle. Do not attach a hitch to a vehicle6. In cases where the holes must be drilled without
which shows excessive corrosion or damage in theusing the hitch as a guide, hole locations can be
hitch attachment areas. • Take thepermanently identified by spraying black paint through
appropriate safety precautions. When elevating thethe hole locations. Remove the hitch, center punch
vehicle on a hoist or ramps, ensure that the vehicle isthe hole positions and drill a pilot hole. This can then
properly secured and blocked such that it will not fallbe followed with the appropriate drill size for the hole
or roll off its supports. • Be sure you haverequired.
the appropriate tools and wear safety glasses when7. Drill holes that are either the same size as the bolt
drilling holes. Installation Tips 1. Prior to installation, it isor at the most 1/32" larger. Clearance holes or slots
good practice to loosely assemble the hitch, install theare provided in the hitch for adjustment.
drawbar, pin and clip and hold the hitch up into8. When drilling, be extremely careful to avoid drilling
position. This will allow identification of anyinto vehicle components which are located behind
obstructions to the installation, verification of drawbarwhere the hole is being drilled. Slacken off pressure
position on the vehicle and also give an idea of howon the drill just prior to breaking through.
the hitch is to be installed.9. When installing the hitch, be sure to use the
2. A scissors jack or floor jack can be very useful inreinforcing plates supplied with the hitch where
holding the hitch up in place. In many cases, clampsappropriate. These plates reinforce the frame and
can be used to clamp the hitch to the frame duringspread the load to the frame edges.
the installation procedure.10. The hitch must have solid metal to metal contact
3. It may be necessary to temporarily loosen thewith the vehicle attachment points. Excessive
exhaust system and/or slightly reposition it to clearundercoating or weld on the vehicle should be
the hitch during installation. This is particularly trueremoved.
where an exhaust system has been replaced prior to11. All hardware, with the exception of tab nuts ( thin
installing the hitch, as all hitches are designed usingnuts welded to a wire used on some hitch
vehicle original equipment Do not forget to reattachapplications) and U-bolts are grade 5 (Imperial sizes)
any exhaust clamps, hangers etc. after hitchor 8.8 (metric sizes).