# 1
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.
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