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Old 09-26-2022, 01:08 AM   #1
Wheelhouse
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Installing/Removing truck bed hitch

What everyone do to install or remove the truck bed hitch?? Some of us are tall enough or strong enough to lift and place the hitch in the bed if the truck.
Myself, I installed an eye-bolt in the ceiling area and use a come along to lift it to remove or replace. Then lower it to a furniture dolly to roll it to where I store it.
Hope this helps some else.
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Old 09-26-2022, 07:09 AM   #2
scottz
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When I want to remove mine from the truck, I hook up to the 5th wheel and release the connections to the truck. Then I use the 5th wheel front jacks to pick up the hitch. That is where I store it; hooked to the 5th wheel.
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Old 09-26-2022, 07:18 AM   #3
DutchmenSport
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I've removed mine only a few times, but I have a Recon. It separates into 3 pieces by simply pulling pins, and the heaviest piece is probably 35 pounds. No problem removing mine.

They say "Necessity is the mother of invention." I think you found your "invention" to make your life easier. We each do it different, nothing wrong with that. Nice job and glad you figured a way out of your problem.
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Old 09-26-2022, 10:46 AM   #4
Mikendebbie
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I have the same hitch as DutchmenSport. I chose it specifically for the way it breaks down. 3 pieces come apart and I sit them on the tailgate. Then I load them onto a little wagon and store the wagon out of the weather under the tongue of the fifth wheel.

Years ago I had a Reese that weighed as much as a battleship - but my youngest son was still living at home. He is 6'-4", young and strong so I made him take the Reese out every time. That experience helped me pick the Demco Recon.
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Old 09-26-2022, 01:00 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz View Post
When I want to remove mine from the truck, I hook up to the 5th wheel and release the connections to the truck. Then I use the 5th wheel front jacks to pick up the hitch. That is where I store it; hooked to the 5th wheel.
That's BRILLIANT!!
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Old 09-26-2022, 01:30 PM   #6
Hblick48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz View Post
When I want to remove mine from the truck, I hook up to the 5th wheel and release the connections to the truck. Then I use the 5th wheel front jacks to pick up the hitch. That is where I store it; hooked to the 5th wheel.
I've done that. The biggest problem is getting it perfectly aligned to either the rails or pucks to re-install. PITA if you need to move hitch to align, don't ask me how I know.
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Old 09-26-2022, 07:51 PM   #7
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I installed a Champion hoist from Home Depot in the garage ceiling. I also purchased B&W Fifth Wheel Hitch Lifting Device. Back the truck under the hoist, latch the device in the hitch, push a button and up it goes. Move the truck and then set it on a furniture dolly to roll it out of the way. It sure makes it easy.
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Old 09-26-2022, 09:13 PM   #8
wed
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That looks like it works great
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Old 09-26-2022, 09:52 PM   #9
packnrat
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Post

i have done the rv hitch way. but cause my rv is in the front of the house, i just do not like this method. and then to reconnect everything to the truck. is a big itch.
been thinking a modified motor hoist. my garage is way to small, has a couple moto bikes in there, but worse the rv blocks access for the truck.
all that steel weighs more than my back likes.
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Old 10-02-2022, 01:26 PM   #10
laverdur
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I picked up an electric hoist rated at 400 lbs at Harbor Freight. It worked for the canopy I once had and it works great for the 5er hitch.
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Old 10-02-2022, 03:18 PM   #11
Ttman
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I got a 1000lbs hydraulic lift table from Harbor freight. The 500lbs table doesn’t go to tailgate height. I then built a stand out of 1/8 inch by 1-1/2” angle iron with legs. Then I welded tabs on the stand to make 2x4 runners. The beauty is the table raises to bed height, the 2x4 goes between the hitch feet/locking pin tabs, and after removing the hitch, I can put the stand and hitch in the corner out of the way and lower my hydraulic table all the way, and pull it out and use it to load and unload other heavy items into and out of the truck bed.
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Old 10-02-2022, 03:50 PM   #12
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Like Scott… mine stays in the truck all summer and when rig goes into storage mode I pull the 4 pin, raise the jacks, and it hangs from the king pin for the next 7 months.

I used to lift it out with a hoist in the shop but then I had to store it. Saw someone else leaving it with the rig and wondered why I never thought of that!
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Old 10-02-2022, 05:31 PM   #13
jeririgged223
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As a lone 65 yr old female who has a puck system in her F350, like you, I have an electric hoist mounted to the roof of my garage that lifts my B & W hitch up and then I drive out from under it. Easy in, easy out for me.
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Old 10-02-2022, 06:35 PM   #14
DCHuts
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Removing Hitch

Thats exactly what I did.
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Old 10-03-2022, 09:16 AM   #15
dfb
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I pulled the pins on my Superglide, then raised the trailer and pulled out.. I have a homemade Hitch CART on wheels.. sometimes id put the hitch on the cart.. after awhile I just left the hitch hanging from the king pin...
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Old 10-03-2022, 09:51 AM   #16
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I guess if you feel that you have to have a mongo heavy hitch then a lift, or a hoist, or 4 of your buddies is what you’ll need to move it. To each his own and everyone needs to do what they need to in order to be and feel safe while towing. Kudos to the OP for figuring out a solution that saves his back.

Demco Recon here as well. It works great and is much easier to remove/install.
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Old 10-03-2022, 11:14 AM   #17
Waricha
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I bought a 1 ton engine crane. It has worked out really well. I still have to move the hitch toward the tail gate to attach, but it's far easier than manhandling it to a cart or to the ground. The crane does all the heavy lifting and it is very easy to move.... I like your solution too!
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Old 10-03-2022, 12:45 PM   #18
Foldbak
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeririgged223 View Post
As a lone 65 yr old female who has a puck system in her F350, like you, I have an electric hoist mounted to the roof of my garage that lifts my B & W hitch up and then I drive out from under it. Easy in, easy out for me.
Wow impressed! That's some girl power!
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Old 10-03-2022, 03:24 PM   #19
Dogman1
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Engine hoist

My wife and I use an engine hoist we bought from Harbor Freight to lift it out of the bed once we pull the pins from the pucks. We store the hitch in our shed so we back the truck up to the shed ramp so we can wheel the hitch in while on the hoist.
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Old 10-03-2022, 09:44 PM   #20
jimandjuliet
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I use an engine hoist also for my pull-right hitch. I made a short boom extension so i could clear tailgate with hoist. I made a pin to fit hitch with washer on bottom and eye on top. lock it in jaws , pull pins an up she comes. engine lift folds up so doesn't take up much room. store hitch on furniture dolly under front of overhang. also use hoist and strap to put my gold-wing on center stand for servicing and actually pulled some engines that it is made for
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