How to Hookup a Fifth Wheel Hitch

How to Hookup a Fifth Wheel

Before beginning set your hitch at the correct height if it hasn’t already been done. In order to hookup a fifth wheel check for the correct clearance height between your truck bed walls and the trailer is 5 – 6 inches.

Step 1: Park on a level surface

Hook up on a level surface to ensure a solid king pin connection. Also, this helps with the coupling of your truck and trailer. In addition, use wheel chocks on the trailer wheels to add stability.

Step 2: Open the 5th Wheel Jaws

Fifth wheel locking mechanism — 5th Wheel Hitch Plate

Next open the jaw or retracting lock bar to place the hitch in the ready-to-couple position. Do this by pulling the lock release handle and setting it in the open position. Afterward, install the appropriate size Dynatex 5TH Wheel Grease Packet – 10 Packets“>grease packets can be used. Do this to protect the hitch head and ensure a a smooth connection.

Step 3: Slowly back up.

First ask a spotter to guide you, which will help avoid accidents or mishaps. Agree on hand signals for forward, backward, right, and left. At this point instruct the person stand off to the side inline with the front of the trailer.

Before moving make sure that nobody is standing near the king pin or behind the truck. After lowering or removing the trucks tailgate back up slowly to the pin box of the trailer. Now, stop and place the truck in park when the 5th wheel hitch head is around 4” from the king pin.

Step 4: Adjust Trailer Jacks

Adjust the trailer jacks so that the 5th wheel hitch plate is a little higher than the pin box. Also, the bottom of the pin box or lube plate should be 1/2” below the top of the 5th wheel plate. Otherwise, the pin box won’t ramp up onto the hitch plate.

Step 5: Engage the 5th wheel couple

Continue to slowly back up until the king pin is fully seated within the 5th wheel head. Now place the vehicle in park and apply the emergency brake.

Visually inspect the connection to make sure the 5th wheel jaws are fully locked. After, manually engage the jaws or lock bar unless your design does so automatically. Now insert the safety pin into the handle with the jaws engaged while making sure the jaws stay secure.

Step 6: Test the Connection

Put your foot on the brake pedal and have your spotter remove wheel chocks. After that remove the emergency brake and place the truck in drive. Now slowly let off the brake pedal and allow the truck to lightly tug at the trailer. At this point you will know if the hitch connection is secure when feel resistance. Otherwise, repeat the hookup process starting at step 2.