1. Set the hitch plate slightly below the coupler head, so the fifth wheel is lifted slightly as the two pieces mate up by using the landing gear.
2. Open the coupler lock so the king pin can engage the jaws on the hitch plate.
3. Lower the tailgate (if needed, there are special tailgates that have a “cut-out” so you don’t have to lower it) and slowly back up. Depending on your combination, you may need to raise the tailgate back up once the king pin has entered the truck bed area. It is helpful to have an assistant since they would be able to make minor adjustments to trailer height and lower/raise the tailgate.
4. Back up until the king pin is close to the hitch, and you can close the tailgate if necessary.
5. Plug in the trailer electrical cord.
6. While using the manual lever on the brake controller to apply the trailer brakes, back up until the king pin has fully engages the coupler jaws.
7. Close the locking mechanism and the safety latch.
8. Raise the fifth wheel landing gear so there is plenty of clearance for traveling.
9. Make sure all lights work correctly.
Unhitching a fifth wheel
1. Before unhitching, make sure the trailer is as level from side to side as you can get it by placing boards or blocks under all of the tires on the low side.
2. Chock the trailer tires so they won’t roll.
3. Put pins in the landing gear and raise the trailer until all of the weight is off of the hitch plate.
4. Open the coupler lock and safety latch.
5. Lower the tailgate.
6. Slowly pull the tow vehicle forward while using the manual lever on the brake controller to activate the trailer brakes, making sure that all the weight is off of the hitch plate. An assistant would be helpful with these last 2 steps.
>> Don't pull too far forward until the trailer electrical cord has been disconnected.
