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Make sure all hardware is reinstalled and
tightened correctly.
Hitching your FW
Hooking up a fifth wheel will become easier
with practice. These instructions are general
instructions applicable for most fifth wheel
hitches. It is very important that you read and
follow the specific instructions provided with
your particular fifth wheel hitch.
It is a good idea to discuss hitching
procedures with your dealer. They can
answer your questions, and offer helpful tips
to make the procedure an easy one for first-
time fifth wheel owners. Be sure to talk with
your tow vehicle dealer before selecting a
hitch for your truck, making sure that it meets
the specifications required.
Fig. 7.9 Blocking the wheels
When attaching the fifth wheel to the tow
vehicle hitch, use the following steps:
1. Lower the tailgate of your tow vehicle.
2. Remove the latch pin from the hitch latch
handle. Make sure that the hitch is in the
unlatched position by pulling the hitch
latch handle to the open position (check
hitch manufacturer's specific instructions).
3. Place wheel chocks under both the front
and back of the trailer's wheels (both
sides).
4. Using the fifth wheel jacks, adjust the
height of the kingpin plate until it is level
with bearing plate on the tow vehicle hitch.
5. Slowly back the tow vehicle up until the
kingpin is inserted past the jaw plates (or
latch plate) of the hitch. Have someone
assist you in this with the use of
predetermined hand signals. Make sure
TOWING & HANDLING
this person is in view at all times and
proceed slowly and cautiously.
6. Make sure the kingpin is completely
inserted and locked in the hitch.
7. Close the coupler-latching lever; making
sure that it is fully locked in place. Insert
the lock pin in the latching lever.
8. Raise the fifth wheel jacks to their fully
retracted position.
9. Raise and secure the tow vehicle tailgate.
10. Attach the breakaway switch cable to the
tow vehicle.
11. Plug the 7-way trailer plug from the RV to
the tow vehicle.
12. Remove the wheel chocks from the trailer
wheels
.
Unhitching your FW
DO NOT raise the fifth wheel jacks until
you are sure the kingpin is fully engaged
and locked in place in the fifth wheel hitch.
To unhitch the fifth wheel from the tow vehicle
hitch, proceed as follows:
1. Park the fifth wheel on a level spot, and
place wheel chocks in front and in back of
the wheels on both sides.
2. Lower the fifth wheel jacks until the weight
of the fifth wheel is no longer on the tow
vehicle. If the ground is soft, make sure to
place supports under the jack pads to
keep the fifth wheel stationary.
3. Disconnect the breakaway switch cable
and the 7-way trailer plug.
4. Remove the latch pin from the hitch latch
handle. Pull the hitch latch handle to the
open position (check hitch manufacturer's
specific instructions).
5. Move the tow vehicle slowly away from
the fifth wheel.
SECTION 7
63
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