Demco 13K HiJacker is Not Sliding Back All the Way

Updated 05/15/2024 | Published 04/13/2017

Question:

I have this hitch installed on my 2015 F-150 Crew Cab 5 1/2foot box truck. upon hitching up to my new trailer, i was unable to make a 90* turn in the parking lot. The slide would not go past center of the slide track. I am only to do about a 45* turn which I think might make it really hard to back into some of the camping sites that we like to visit. What should I look for, adjust or do to make the hitch slide more??

asked by: Don/Sherry S

Expert Reply:

There are a couple of things to check. First make sure the head of the Demco HiJacker # DM8550040 is straight and the trailer is not coupled. Measure the width of the pin box on the trailer. Adjust the capture plates on the hitch head to be 1/8 of an inch wider than the pin box width. Couple up to the trailer push the capture plates against the pin box and finger tighten the two 1/2 inch bolts against the capture plate. Lock the bolts into place by tightening the nuts against the thick mounting plate.

The other thing you can adjust is the gear adjustment bolt. However, it should already be at the correct adjustment. But to adjust it you would follow these steps:

1. Make sure the hitch position is parallel with the truck box and not in a turned position. It should be forward towards the cab of the truck.
2. Loosen the six 3/8” bolts, three on each side.
3. Using a 1-1/8” wrench, loosen the 3/4” nut that is tight against the front end plate.
4. Turn the bolt in clockwise until it moves the guide plate against the roller.
5. Back the 3/4” bolt off 1/8 of a turn and retighten the jam nut to lock into position.
6. Tighten the six 3/8” bolts to 30 ft/lbs.

If you continue to have issues please let me know.

expert reply by: Michael H

Gene

4/21/2024

My capture plate is fine and adjusted. The hitch turns although very hard- I have not turned very sharp because it does not slide beck at all- and I can’t move it side to side without a large hammer barely- I thought with the weight of the 5 th wheel - it would slide back some by now but it is very very stiff- Will it eventually move back or do I need to try a 90 degree turn and pray it moves?

Jon G.

5/15/2024

@Gene The 13K Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider # DM8550040 will be hard to operate by hand because the weight of the 5th wheel trailer is what pulls it into position. I completely understand where you're coming form with the rotation part, but I do encourage you to go to an empty parking lot and slowly try out some maneuvers to make sure everything is working as it should. If you jump to the 2:49 minute mark on the linked video you'll see a slight delay from when the truck start to turn and when the hitch actually starts to move back to the back of the truck bed. If you test it out and the hitch doesn't move back then it's defective, but since the slide back is delayed I recommend testing it first - especially since Demco makes quality 5th wheel hitches.

Helpful Links

tv-manufacturer-review-demco-autoslide-dm8550035.aspx