| A fifth wheel slider hitch makes all those | | | | 4. In some cases, it may be necessary to |
| dreams of on-the-road adventure come to life | | | | adjust the bumper on a vehicle, or the |
| when you purchase a fifth wheel trailer. | | | | brackets which mount to the bumper, in order |
| It's well worth the time to take your time to | | | | to properly install the hitch. Most bumpers |
| install it correctly. | | | | are mounted to the bumper brackets using |
| | | | bolts in slots. Find the appropriate bolts |
| Remember, if you are not confident in your | | | | and adjust the bumper accordingly. |
| engineering ability it is usually better to | | | | |
| call in the professionals. Better safe than | | | | 5. Wherever possible, hitches are designed to |
| sorry. A few dollars could save your life. | | | | use existing holes. In cases where |
| | | | appropriate holes are not available, holes |
| Before starting: | | | | must be drilled in the frame. Once the hitch |
| | | | is accurately positioned and clamped in place |
| • Make sure you have the correct hitch | | | | on the vehicle, holes can be drilled in the |
| for both your vehicle and the trailer being | | | | appropriate places using the holes in the |
| towed. • Review the instruction sheet | | | | hitch as a guide. |
| provided with the hitch. • Check the | | | | |
| hitch attachment area of the vehicle. Do not | | | | 6. In cases where the holes must be drilled |
| attach a hitch to a vehicle which shows | | | | without using the hitch as a guide, hole |
| excessive corrosion or damage in the hitch | | | | locations can be permanently identified by |
| attachment areas. • Take the | | | | spraying black paint through the hole |
| appropriate safety precautions. When | | | | locations. Remove the hitch, center punch the |
| elevating the vehicle on a hoist or ramps, | | | | hole positions and drill a pilot hole. This |
| ensure that the vehicle is properly secured | | | | can then be followed with the appropriate |
| and blocked such that it will not fall or | | | | drill size for the hole required. |
| roll off its supports. • Be sure you | | | | |
| have the appropriate tools and wear safety | | | | 7. Drill holes that are either the same size |
| glasses when drilling holes. Installation | | | | as the bolt or at the most 1/32" larger. |
| Tips 1. Prior to installation, it is | | | | Clearance holes or slots are provided in the |
| good practice to loosely assemble the hitch, | | | | hitch for adjustment. |
| install the drawbar, pin and clip and hold | | | | |
| the hitch up into position. This will allow | | | | 8. When drilling, be extremely careful to |
| identification of any obstructions to the | | | | avoid drilling into vehicle components which |
| installation, verification of drawbar | | | | are located behind where the hole is being |
| position on the vehicle and also give an idea | | | | drilled. Slacken off pressure on the drill |
| of how the hitch is to be installed. | | | | just prior to breaking through. |
| | | | |
| 2. A scissors jack or floor jack can be very | | | | 9. When installing the hitch, be sure to use |
| useful in holding the hitch up in place. In | | | | the reinforcing plates supplied with the |
| many cases, clamps can be used to clamp the | | | | hitch where appropriate. These plates |
| hitch to the frame during the installation | | | | reinforce the frame and spread the load to |
| procedure. | | | | the frame edges. |
| | | | |
| 3. It may be necessary to temporarily loosen | | | | 10. The hitch must have solid metal to metal |
| the exhaust system and/or slightly reposition | | | | contact with the vehicle attachment points. |
| it to clear the hitch during installation. | | | | Excessive undercoating or weld on the vehicle |
| This is particularly true where an exhaust | | | | should be removed. |
| system has been replaced prior to installing | | | | |
| the hitch, as all hitches are designed using | | | | 11. All hardware, with the exception of tab |
| vehicle original equipment Do not forget to | | | | nuts ( thin nuts welded to a wire used on |
| reattach any exhaust clamps, hangers etc. | | | | some hitch applications) and U-bolts are |
| after hitch installation. | | | | grade 5 (Imperial sizes) or 8.8 (metric |
| | | | sizes). |