Reese Signature Series Fifth Wheel Slider Hitch
We’d finally made the move to the next level and purchased a fifth wheel toyhauler. We wanted to keep our short-bed truck, so in light of clearance issues created towing a “Fiver” with a short-bed truck, we knew a new sliding fifth wheel hitch would be the order of the day. We did plenty of research on the ToyHauler Magazine forums and other great sources of information, and all paths led us to the Signature Series fifth wheel slider hitch from Reese.

There were a few intriguing choices out there, but we went with one of the most trusted names in the fifth wheel market. Reese has been offering quality products for over fifty years and we felt this is a name we could trust. Reese offers four lines of fifth wheel hitches, but we were drawn to the Signature Series line immediately. With 18K and 24K models, the Signature series offers a wider footprint to increase stability and comes with vehicle specific mounting hardware. We really liked the complete under-bed mounting system, which would allow full use of the truck bed when not towing. We chose to order the 18K system and anxiously awaited its arrival.

Once we had all the necessary hardware for hitch installation, we headed over to the Hitch House in Stockton, California, to have the installation done by the qualified technicians there. It’s a job that could be completed by the shade tree mechanic, but after watching the pros at the Hitch House do their thing, I was glad I decided on having it done by them. The truck took several trips up and down on the hoist there and I cringed a little at the thought of jack stands and a floor jack on a hot summer day in the Valley. Once all the fine-tuning was complete, I got a complete rundown on hitch operation and locking mechanisms and went on my way to pick up our new dream fifth wheel.

Hooking up to the Signature series was a piece of cake. First, I unlocked and pulled out the handle that operates the kingpin locking device. I quickly pulled straight out, then over to the side, and locked the handle and pin in the open position. I backed the truck up, centering the fifth wheel plate with the kingpin, then made sure that the kingpin height was just below the level of the fifth wheel plate. Once I was secure with the positioning of the truck and trailer, I easily slid the truck back, tripping the kingpin latch into the lock position. After plugging in the trailer pigtail and locking the kingpin release handle in place, I gave a quick tug with my truck to make sure the kingpin locking device was securing the trailer to the hitch plate. I had successfully engaged the fifth wheel on my first shot! Not bad for a rookie.

Operating the slide lever was not any more difficult, as it required unlocking the slide lever handle and shifting it back into the slide position. Once the handle is in the correct position, you simply give a pull forward in the truck causing the hitch to slide back and away from the truck bed. This is a critically important step as backing the trailer into camp spots will cause the front of the trailer to come dangerously close to the cab of your truck and if you’re not careful--Too close!! Let’s just say you wouldn’t be the first to damage his cab, back window and/or trailer. That’s the beauty of the sliding fifth wheel hitch; it gives you more very valuable real estate between your truck and fifth wheel front cap.

We couldn’t be happier with our Reese Signature Series hitch. It’s easy to use, built with quality and ingenuity and it’s backed with a seven-year warranty. Sometimes you do get what you pay for . . .

Check out the Signature Series hitch at an authorized dealer near you or at www.reeseprod.com. Special thanks to the guys at the Hitch House in Stockton, California, for the install.

-Bob Balunda