Fifth Wheel Campers - Slider Hitch Information

A fifth wheel slider hitch makes all those dreams of4. In some cases, it may be necessary to adjust the
on-the-road adventure come to life when youbumper on a vehicle, or the brackets which mount to
purchase a fifth wheel trailer. It's well worth the time tothe bumper, in order to properly install the hitch. Most
take your time to install it correctly.bumpers are mounted to the bumper brackets using
Remember, if you are not confident in your engineeringbolts in slots. Find the appropriate bolts and adjust the
ability it is usually better to call in the professionals.bumper accordingly.
Better safe than sorry. A few dollars could save your5. Wherever possible, hitches are designed to use
life.existing holes. In cases where appropriate holes are
Before starting:not available, holes must be drilled in the frame. Once
• Make sure you have the correct hitch for boththe hitch is accurately positioned and clamped in place
your vehicle and the trailer being towed. • Reviewon the vehicle, holes can be drilled in the appropriate
the instruction sheet provided with the hitch. •places using the holes in the hitch as a guide.
Check the hitch attachment area of the vehicle. Do not6. In cases where the holes must be drilled without
attach a hitch to a vehicle which shows excessiveusing the hitch as a guide, hole locations can be
corrosion or damage in the hitch attachment areas.permanently identified by spraying black paint through
• Take the appropriate safety precautions. Whenthe hole locations. Remove the hitch, center punch the
elevating the vehicle on a hoist or ramps, ensure thathole positions and drill a pilot hole. This can then be
the vehicle is properly secured and blocked such that itfollowed with the appropriate drill size for the hole
will not fall or roll off its supports. • Be sure yourequired.
have the appropriate tools and wear safety glasses7. Drill holes that are either the same size as the bolt or
when drilling holes. Installation Tips 1. Prior to installation, itat the most 1/32" larger. Clearance holes or slots are
is good practice to loosely assemble the hitch, installprovided in the hitch for adjustment.
the drawbar, pin and clip and hold the hitch up into8. When drilling, be extremely careful to avoid drilling
position. This will allow identification of any obstructionsinto vehicle components which are located behind
to the installation, verification of drawbar position on thewhere the hole is being drilled. Slacken off pressure on
vehicle and also give an idea of how the hitch is to bethe drill just prior to breaking through.
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, clamps canappropriate. These plates reinforce the frame and
be used to clamp the hitch to the frame during thespread the load to the frame edges.
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 clear theundercoating or weld on the vehicle should be
hitch during installation. This is particularly true where anremoved.
exhaust system has been replaced prior to installing11. All hardware, with the exception of tab nuts ( thin
the hitch, as all hitches are designed using vehiclenuts welded to a wire used on some hitch applications)
original equipment Do not forget to reattach anyand U-bolts are grade 5 (Imperial sizes) or 8.8 (metric
exhaust clamps, hangers etc. after hitch installation.sizes).