# 1
Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Ford Towing Prep Package - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs
The Hitch worked properly the first couple of times I hooked up to my fifth wheel but after that it got to where the cheep plastic indicator that goes from red to green when the hitch is properly connected/closed would not go to green. Meaning that the latch was not properly going around the trailer pin all the way. After constantly having issues with the device, I removed the plastic indicator and it worked a lot better for awhile but now it’s back to being a constant problem every time I hook up. Almost every time I try to hook to the camper, the coupler only goes part of the way around the pin. The only way I can get it to connect properly is to get in the back of the truck with a pry bar and steal bar and hit the coupler or pry it to make it go into position. I’ve tried adjusting the position of the wedge several times and nothing seems to help. I gave it 2 stars only because I like the way the hitch pivots at the camper instead of on the fifth wheel because I have a short bed truck. If the hitch would connect properly it would be a great product. The only other issue I’ve had was when I was traveling and came to an intersection where the road I was on was at an angle to the road I was turning right onto. There was a dip/low area where the roads connected. It was a swell that allowed the rain water to flow from one side of the road to the other. When I went through the swell and turned right as the rear tires of the truck went down it caused the front of the camper to tilt down and the front of the truck because it was past the swell went up. Because the truck was in a sharp turn the camper made contact with the cab of the truck causing a small dent in the back of the truck cab near the cargo/brake light and scrubbed the paint off the corner of the camper about the size of a quarter. I would like someone from Reese to assist me with the issue I’m having with there hitch not connecting properly.
Overall, the M5 hitch is solid in build and performance. I like the green indicator window showing positive latching plus unlatching, even under some pressure, is easy. The latch handle is an easy reach but the upward pointing handle with hole in the plastic grip collects water inside. Consequently, the steel tube handle interior rusts which drips rusty water while still and flings the staining water when latching.
# 2
Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Ford Towing Prep Package- Single Jaw - 27,000 lbs
The hitch came in 3 separate packages, all in the same delivery. Each package came with parts documents, care and assembly instructions. I did the assembly alone. Assembly was fairly easy, just cumbersome due to weight. During assembly, I believe the instructions have the center bolt inserted from the outside; not possible to clear the leg frame so I had to finagle the nut while inserting the bolt from the inside. I initially assembled the hitch unattached to the truck bed. When complete, I could not get the pucks to align with holes in the bed. I loosened the legs, set in the bed and tightened the bolts, which then made for a perfect fit. I have my hitch set to the highest setting for ensured bed rail to camper clearance; might lower later on. The hitch is easy to use; no issues connecting or disconnect the camper. I did have to replace the fifth wheel to base hitch pin clips with shorter ones because when the camper tilted, the clips got bent (unknown to me, the clips went vertical and could not clear the tilt of the fifth wheel and base). Wasn't a big deal to me, but could present an issue if not recognized. It is possible for the pins to contact the base as well. I use a neoprene or plastic disc on the hitch so I don't have to grease the wheel; makes for a clean and easier removal /installation. But as you can see, there are gouges/scratches just from normal connecting and disconnecting. I remove the fifth wheel from the base when removing/installing hitch just to reduce weight. Even without the wheel, the base assembly is still heavy. Overall, I think this is a good hitch; with that being said, this is the only brand fifth wheel hitch I've ever used and this one here is the only brand fifth wheel hitch I've ever owned.
Talk about disappointment, ordered this in early October to replace a curt q20 slider hitch I had on a previous truck. It arrived well enough considering how heavy the parts are. There was no obvious signs of damage, install was relatively simple enough. Early November rolls around and we are going to be moving our 5th wheel, I go to hook up to measure clearances of bed rails etc. It turned into a multi-hour ordeal. Backing in following the directions allowing the pin to slide up to the hitch it binded in a spot where I was unable to release it(pictures attached), after spending quite a while raising all the weight of the truck moving backwards and forward with it partially latched trying to get it to move some way I was finally able to get it released by using a crow bar to push the jaw open and drive the truck out. So now I need to find out the problem I fully reset it back to its receiving position with the handle in the latched but not locked position. Try again, the exact same thing happens. So I took the head of to experiment and see if it will slide on to the king pin maybe there is another issue I'm not noticing, works well and fully seats with the green indicator but again doesn't release without using a crow bar on the jaws. Now mind you I fully lubed this as the instructions state, even using the needle grease gun attachment, so I didn't think that was the issue. Still decided more lubrication couldn't hurt the situation, I used dry lithium grease everywhere, moving every part that can move while doing it. Hooked it back to the truck, success, well partially. Got a full seat of the king pin with the handle in a very not latched position got it moved in to the correct area and after a few thumps it allowed me to seat the safety pin. Try and hook it up again, now the arm doesn't fully close when attached to the king pin. At this point we get it off again, having to use a crow bar, and notice the internal latch that locks the arm in the safe or unsafe position is lose and one of the springs had come off, thankfully it didn't get lost as its about 2in long and small. At this time its been almost 3 hours of frustration. I spend another hour getting the tiny spring reattached in what seems to be the correct position(unable to find a diagram of the internal springs online). Go to hook it up again, this time we get a full successful latch and the locking arm perfectly closes and allows the safety pin, but alas we are still unable to unlatch the 5th wheel without moving the jaw with a crowbar. I have never had such frustration with something that's so critical to the ability of me to tow my 5th wheel. I am unsure if I can trust it to work correctly.
# 3
Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Ford Towing Prep Package - Single Jaw - 32,000 lbs
Like the hitch, but sometimes does not latch all the way. Green indicator 3/4 latched, have to keep bumping it, to latch and install lock pin. Have lubed with lithium grease and regular grease on zerk on 5th wheel plate. Thinking the spring to lock could be week?
Nice hitch. Used it for a year with no problems. Hitch has alerted us to high pin situations. Had one of the retaining pins on the head come off. Was no problem reattaching, replaced it in case it lost some of its tension.
# 4
Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
This product gets a three based on shipping condition only. etrailer customer service and shipping time was excellent as usual. The shipment arrived 2 days after the order was placed, as promised. However, as others have noted, the product packing is poor. The boxes arrived with significant damage resulting in cosmetic damage to several parts. I haven't put the hitch to use yet but I am assuming it will work correctly. I will leave a followup after I use it.
The hitch arrived nicely packed in two boxes. Very easy to assemble and install on my existing bed rails. I took the RV out for a first run with the hitch, and it performed as advertised. It was a no fuss transaction and the hitch arrived on-time!
# 5
Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs
Tried to install this on a 2001 Chevy Silverado 3500, dual rear wheel, long bed, 4x4, diesel engine truck. The clamp style mounting simply does not work. The ONLY way I can see this working is by drilling added holes in the frame of the truck at the front end of the side plates. This is because of a bend in the frame at the clamp location. Also at this location the frame is boxed in and any bolt holes will be hidden. Bolts would have to fished in with bolt wires.
I am very pleased with my purchase of the Reese M5, a major improvement over my old receiver. Great service from etrailer as well.
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