Reese M5 Fifth Wheel Hitch Center Section, 27,000 lbs. CapacityReeseOriginal price was $712.50. Current price is $626.54.In Stock
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Reese
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Reese has designed towing equipment since 1952 and remains a benchmark for heavy-duty towing. The line covers fifth wheel hitches such as the modular M5, gooseneck couplers including the Goose Box, air-ride and short-bed pin boxes, weight distribution systems with active sway control, and the accessories that connect them, all built to exceed published industry standards.
Reese has been pioneering towing performance since 1952, when Margaret Reese asked her husband TJ to stop travel trailers rocking every time somebody walked through them. His answer, the first pair of stabilising jacks, was simple and effective enough to change the RV industry. From that starting point Reese grew into a designer and manufacturer of complete towing systems, and today it anchors the heavy-duty end of the Horizon Global towing portfolio.
Fifth wheel towing is where the brand's engineering is most visible. The M5 fifth wheel hitch uses a modular design that breaks into manageable sections for assembly, with a wider stance, tighter tolerances and a shock absorption system aimed at the jolts that travel up through a truck bed. For owners who would rather tow from a gooseneck coupler and keep the bed clear, the Goose Box 20K replaces the trailer's king pin with a gooseneck connection carrying its own air-ride cushioning.
Pin boxes are a Reese speciality. The 5th Airborne uses air-ride technology to dampen road shock and reduce the chucking motion that makes fifth wheel towing tiring, while the Sidewinder was designed for short-bed pickups, pivoting the connection point so the trailer can turn sharply without the front cap meeting the cab.
For conventional towing, Reese weight distribution systems restore load to the tow vehicle's front axle and control sway. The Pro Round Bar distributes weight evenly while damping sway, and the Pro Dual Cam II uses active cam-based sway control that works harder the stronger the sway force becomes. Complete kits pair bars, head and shank to a rated tongue weight, and dedicated sway control kits can be added to existing setups. The products suit RV owners, horse and livestock haulers and anyone towing near the upper end of a vehicle's rating.
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Introducing the REESE® M5 Fifth Wheel Hitch
The hitch is rated for a maximum towing capacity of 20,000 lbs and a maximum pin weight of 5,000 lbs. Under no circumstances should you exceed your towing vehicle manufacturer's recommended vehicle towing capacity.
Yes. The head and center section are sold separately from the M5 mounting legs. The legs are required for installation and are sold as a separate item. Fasteners and assembly instructions for attaching the center section to the legs are included with the leg unit.
A minimum of 6" clearance is required between the truck bed rail and the bottom of the trailer. The center section has 3 possible attachment locations providing 4" of overall adjustment to achieve this height. Proper height adjustment is critical for safe operation.
An M13 wrench is required to tighten the handle assembly carriage bolts, lock washers, and nuts. For maintenance, a grease gun with a needle adapter is needed to lubricate the pivot assemblies.
Slide the tube over the bar as shown in the manual, then securely tighten it with the carriage bolts, lock washers, and nuts using an M13 wrench. The handle should be snug when properly tightened.
1. Apply grease to the contact surfaces per the maintenance instructions. 2. Place the head unit on top of the center section, avoiding pinch points. 3. Insert the pull pin as shown in the manual on both sides. 4. Secure both sides with spring clips. 5. Inspect through the sight holes on top of the head pan to confirm the clips are assembled correctly.
The head spring bolts should be tightened to 7–8 ft-lbs. When installed properly, the springs should point upward towards the truck cab and flex freely.
Apply grease to the skid plate surface to provide a lubricated surface for trailer attachment. Apply grease to the 5th wheel jaw and/or kingpin on the trailer. Apply grease via the grease fitting on top of the unit using a grease needle. Apply spray-on white lithium grease to internal mechanisms and rotate the handle a few times to distribute the lubricant. The head comes pre-greased. Plastic lube plates (max. 3/16" thickness) can be used instead of grease on the skid plate; REESE 5th Wheel Lube Plate #83001 is recommended.
If the head pivots and makes noise when the trailer is not attached, tighten the pivot bolt 1/2 turn at a time to adjust the resistance. Do not exceed 2 full turns maximum. The pivot assembly resistance is preset at the factory. Access the pivot bolt through the logo/load rating slot using an open-end wrench.
The bottom of the pin box should be aligned with the top of the skid plate ramp within ±1 inch. This contact zone is critical for proper hitching. Refer to the manual figures 13 and 14 for visual guidance on correct pin box height.
Before hitching: 1. Lower the truck tailgate if necessary. 2. Place blocks or chocks firmly against each trailer wheel to prevent forward or rearward motion. 3. Ensure the pin box is at the correct height (bottom of pin box aligned with top of skid plate ramp ±1 inch). 4. Confirm the head is in the Ready-to-Receive position (handle pulled out, indicator shows RED).
After backing the truck into the trailer until the indicator turns completely green: 1. Ensure trailer wheels are firmly blocked and landing gears are on the ground supporting the trailer weight. 2. Confirm the trailer brake is on. 3. Make sure no one is between the truck and trailer. 4. Try to pull the trailer slowly forward. If properly hitched, the trailer will not separate. If not properly hitched, the trailer will separate and the truck will move forward—repeat the hitching procedure.
RED indicator: The head is in Ready-to-Receive position (when delivered, not in use, or coupling to trailer) or Unhitching position. GREEN indicator: The head is in Locked position and the trailer king pin is securely held by the 5th wheel jaw. The indicator should only show GREEN when coupled to a trailer.
Before unhitching: 1. Place blocks or chocks firmly against each trailer wheel to prevent forward or rearward motion. 2. Lower the trailer jacks and ensure they are firmly on the ground. 3. Lower the truck tailgate if necessary. 4. Disconnect the electrical cable and breakaway switch cable. Then remove the bail pin and move the handle to the unhitching position by pulling out and rotating it towards the cab. Drive the truck slowly away from the trailer. Note: If tension exists between truck and trailer, the truck or trailer may shift when the handle is pulled, but the trailer will still uncouple.
Rotate the center section 180 degrees. This requires: 1. Removing the head by pulling off the spring clips and pulling out the head retainer pins. 2. Lifting the head off and setting it aside. 3. Removing the bolts holding the legs to the center section and rotating the center section (all vehicles), OR disconnecting the feet from the bed, rotating the center section and leg assembly, then reconnecting (not possible with RAM vehicles). 4. Reconnecting per the leg installation instructions. 5. Removing the logo/rating cover by gently prying the two lower plastic retainers with plastic auto trim tools. 6. Reinstalling on the other side by reversing the process. 7. Removing the head springs by removing the 1/4" bolt (7/16" socket) and flipping them from right to left; tighten to 7–8 ft-lbs. 8. Reapplying grease and reinstalling the head. 9. Reinstalling the head retainer pins and clips.
The hole provided on the center section is for attaching the trailer breakaway cable to a 5/16" eye bolt.
No. The legs are sold separately and are required for installation. Fasteners and assembly instructions for the legs are included with the leg unit.
A minimum of 6" clearance is required between the truck bed rail and the bottom of the trailer. The center section provides 4" of adjustment across 3 attachment locations.
An M13 wrench is required to tighten the handle assembly carriage bolts, lock washers, and nuts.
Tighten the head spring bolts to 7–8 ft-lbs. Use a 7/16" socket to remove and reinstall them.
Apply grease to the skid plate surface and the contact surfaces between the head and center section. The head comes pre-greased. Plastic lube plates (max. 3/16" thickness) can substitute for grease on the skid plate.
RED = Ready-to-Receive or Unhitching position. GREEN = Locked position with trailer securely coupled. The indicator should only show GREEN when a trailer is hitched.
The bottom of the pin box must align with the top of the skid plate ramp within ±1 inch for proper hitching.
If the head pivots and makes noise when the trailer is not attached, adjust the pivot assembly resistance by tightening the pivot bolt 1/2 turn at a time. Do not exceed 2 full turns maximum. The pivot assembly resistance is preset at the factory. Access the pivot bolt through the logo/load rating slot using an open-end wrench.
If the jaw does not fully close when fully backed into the trailer, the jaw may be under compression. Pull the truck slowly forward to remove the load on the jaw. The handle will then fully latch and the indicator will turn green. If the trailer still does not couple, repeat the entire hitching procedure: ensure the pin box height is correct (bottom of pin box aligned with top of skid plate ramp ±1 inch), confirm the head is in Ready-to-Receive position, and back the truck slowly into the trailer.
If the trailer separates from the hitch during the pull test, the trailer is not properly hitched. Stop immediately and repeat the entire hitching procedure: ensure the pin box height is correct, confirm the head is in Ready-to-Receive position, back the truck slowly into the trailer until the indicator turns completely green, and perform the pull test again.
George
The staff was able to quickly assist me with locating the correct product I needed. Shipping was really fast. Item arrived in 2 days. Will be using TowUniverse again!!
May 22, 2023
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