How to Determine Proper Head Height for Demco Hijacker Autoslide 18K Fifth Wheel Hitch

Updated 06/23/2019 | Published 06/22/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 18,000 lbs

(711)

$1795.00

Replacement Side Plates for Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Ford Super Duty

(80)

$307.42

Question:

I have same setup as this question: How to Convert 18K Demco Hijacker to Fit Puck System on a 2019 Ford F-250 with a 6-3/4foot Bed So I have ordered the new side rails DM6033 as recommended. I will be installing the hitch with new rails in a 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty 4x4. My question is: How do I determine the proper hitch height before the installation? Id like to set the rails to the correct height before I install the hitch in the new truck. Thanks in advance.

asked by: Stan W

Expert Reply:

When determining the correct height for a fifth wheel hitch head like the Demco Hijacker part # DM8550034 that you referenced the goal is to go with the height setting that lets the trailer sit as level as possible.

To select the right setting you can either trial and error the height setting by picking a height setting and then seeing how the trailer sits and adjusting as needed. Or you can measure from the pin box plate down to the ground on the trailer when setting level and then measure from the truck bed floor to the ground and compare those two numbers. Whatever the difference is between those two number is the hitch height setting you need to use. Keep in mind the suspension may sag slightly so you'd want to compensate for that.

expert reply by: Jameson C