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Reese
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We know our products
Quality Products
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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 M5 HEAD is a 5th wheel hitch head unit manufactured by Horizon Global. It is the coupling mechanism that connects your truck to a 5th wheel trailer by engaging the trailer's kingpin. The head unit features a handle-operated jaw that locks and unlocks the kingpin, an indicator showing coupling status (red for ready/uncoupled, green for locked), and a bail pin for additional security. It is designed for use with M5 mounting legs and a center section, which are sold separately.
The M5 HEAD requires two additional components sold separately: M5 mounting legs and a center section. The mounting legs attach the head to your truck frame, and the center section sits between the legs and the head unit. Leg assembly instructions are provided under their individual part numbers. The center section is available in different capacities (the manual shows a 20K example).
The M5 HEAD is designed to couple with trailers that have a kingpin and landing gear. Before hitching, the trailer's pin box must be at the correct height to align with the 5th wheel funnel—the bottom of the pin box should be aligned with the top of the skid plate ramp within ±1 inch. The proper 5th wheel height is set through the leg installation instructions. If height is incorrect, coupling will not work properly.
You will need an M13 wrench to tighten the carriage bolts, lock washers, and nuts that secure the handle assembly to the head unit. A grease needle (generally available at auto parts stores) is also required for maintenance—specifically to apply grease through the grease fitting on top of the unit.
The M5 HEAD package includes: 1 head unit assembly, 1 handle, 2 pull pins (½"), 2 spring clips, 2 M8 carriage bolts, 2 M8 lock washers, 2 M8 nuts, and 4 bolts and washers. The M8 fasteners are used to attach the handle to the head. The bolts and washers marked with an asterisk are supplied with the leg unit, not the head unit.
Yes. Before installing the head on the center section, you must apply grease to the skid plate surface (the contact area with the trailer) to provide a lubricated surface. The head comes pre-greased, but you should also apply grease to the 5th wheel jaw and/or kingpin on the trailer. Alternatively, you can use a plastic lube plate (REESE 5th Wheel Lube Plate #83001 is recommended) instead of grease on the skid plate, but the plate must not exceed 3/16" in thickness to ensure the hitch works properly.
Slide the handle tube over the bar on the head unit as shown in the manual. Secure it with the 2 M8 carriage bolts, 2 M8 lock washers, and 2 M8 nuts. Tighten securely with an M13 wrench. The handle should be snug when fully tightened.
1. Apply grease to the skid plate surface and the 5th wheel jaw/kingpin as described in the maintenance section. 2. Place the head unit on top of the center section, being careful to avoid pinch points. 3. Insert the pull pin on both sides as shown in the manual. 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 indicator shows the coupling status of the head. RED indicates the head is in ready-to-receive position (not coupled to a trailer) or in unhitching position. GREEN indicates the head is in locked position and the trailer kingpin is securely held by the 5th wheel jaw. When backing into a trailer, the indicator will turn completely green once the kingpin is properly engaged.
1. Ensure the truck and trailer are positioned to couple, the tailgate is lowered if necessary, and blocks/chocks are firmly against each trailer wheel. 2. Verify the pin box is at correct height (bottom of pin box aligned with top of skid plate ramp ±1 inch). 3. Pull the handle fully until an audible click is heard to place the head in ready-to-receive position. 4. Back the truck slowly into the trailer so the kingpin and 5th wheel funnel align. When the indicator turns completely green, the kingpin is securely held. 5. Perform a pull test: with trailer wheels blocked, landing gears on the ground, and trailer brake on, try to pull the trailer forward slowly. If properly hitched, the trailer will not separate. 6. Insert the bail pin into the lock hole. 7. Connect electrical and breakaway switch cables. 8. Raise the tailgate if necessary and remove chocks/blocks. 9. Lift trailer jacks.
If the jaw does not fully close even after backing fully 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 jaw will close completely.
The pull test verifies that the trailer is properly hitched before driving. With the trailer wheels firmly blocked, landing gears firmly on the ground supporting trailer weight, and the trailer brake on, try to pull the trailer forward slowly. If the trailer is properly hitched, it will not separate from the hitch and the truck will not move forward. If the trailer separates and the truck moves forward, the coupling is not secure and you must repeat the hitching procedure. No one should be between the truck and trailer during this test.
1. Ensure the trailer is secure by placing blocks/chocks firmly against each trailer wheel and lowering the trailer jacks to the ground. 2. Lower the truck tailgate if necessary and disconnect the electrical cable and breakaway switch cable. 3. Remove the bail pin. 4. Move the handle to unhitching position by pulling it out fully until an audible click is heard, then rotating it towards the cab. 5. Drive the truck slowly away from the trailer. If the handle will not move to unhitching position with ease, do not force it—the jaw may not open if under tension. Slowly reverse the truck to remove the load on the jaw before attempting to unhitch.
Do not force the handle. If it will not move to the unhitching position with ease, the jaw may not open because it is under tension. Slowly reverse the truck to remove the load on the jaw, then attempt to move the handle again. Once the tension is relieved, the handle should move freely to the unhitching position.
Preventative lubrication should be applied to keep the head functioning properly: (A) Apply grease to the skid plate surface to provide a lubricated surface for attachment to the trailer. Plastic lube plates (max 3/16" thickness) can be used instead; REESE 5th Wheel Lube Plate #83001 is recommended. (B) Apply grease to the 5th wheel jaw and/or kingpin on the trailer. (C) Apply grease via the grease fitting on top of the unit using a grease needle. The head comes pre-greased. (D) Apply spray-on white lithium grease to internal mechanisms and rotate the handle a few times to distribute the lubricant. You may need to wipe down the unit to remove large debris before applying grease.
Do not exceed the towing vehicle manufacturer's recommended vehicle towing capacity. The M5 HEAD itself does not have a stated capacity limit in the manual; capacity is determined by your truck's specifications and the center section you select (which is sold separately).
Horizon Global provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original consumer purchaser. The product is warranted to be free from material defects in material and workmanship for the lifetime of ownership, ordinary wear and tear excepted, provided installation and use are in accordance with product instructions. The warranty is not transferable. It does not cover normal wear and tear, damage from abuse, neglect, misuse, accident, misapplication, overloading, improper installation, improper maintenance, or unauthorized alterations. Product replacement is the sole remedy. To make a claim, contact Horizon Global at 47912 Halyard Drive Suite 100, Plymouth, MI 48170, 1-800-632-3290, with your model number and purchase receipt.
The M5 HEAD requires M5 mounting legs and a center section (sold separately) to be installed on your truck. It couples with trailers that have a kingpin and landing gear. The trailer pin box must be at the correct height—bottom of pin box aligned with top of skid plate ramp within ±1 inch. Refer to the leg installation instructions for proper height setup.
You need an M13 wrench to tighten the handle assembly. A grease needle is required for maintenance. You must purchase M5 mounting legs and a center section separately. All fasteners for the head assembly are included.
Yes. Apply grease to the skid plate surface, the 5th wheel jaw, and the trailer kingpin before first use. The head comes pre-greased. Alternatively, use a plastic lube plate (max 3/16" thickness) on the skid plate instead of grease.
Always perform a pull test after hitching: with trailer wheels blocked, landing gears on the ground, and trailer brake on, try to pull the trailer forward slowly. If the trailer does not separate, the coupling is secure. If it separates, repeat the hitching procedure.
Do not force the handle. Slowly reverse the truck to remove tension on the jaw, then try again. The jaw may not open if under compression.
Apply spray-on white lithium grease to internal mechanisms. For the skid plate, use general grease or a plastic lube plate (max 3/16" thickness; REESE #83001 recommended). The manual does not specify a brand for general grease applications.
The trailer kingpin is not being properly engaged by the 5th wheel jaw. Check that: (1) the trailer pin box height is correct—the bottom of the pin box should be aligned with the top of the skid plate ramp within ±1 inch; (2) the head is in ready-to-receive position (handle pulled out fully with audible click); (3) you are backing slowly and straight into the trailer so the kingpin and 5th wheel funnel align. If the jaw does not fully close even after backing fully in, the jaw may be under compression—pull the truck slowly forward to remove the load, then back in again.
The coupling is not secure. Do not drive the truck. Repeat the entire hitching procedure: (1) position the truck and trailer again with blocks/chocks against the trailer wheels; (2) ensure the pin box is at correct height; (3) pull the handle fully until an audible click is heard to place the head in ready-to-receive position; (4) back the truck slowly into the trailer until the indicator turns completely green; (5) perform the pull test again. If the trailer separates again, do not proceed until the coupling is secure.
If the handle is hard to move during normal operation, the internal mechanisms may need lubrication. Apply spray-on white lithium grease to the internal mechanisms and rotate the handle a few times to distribute the lubricant. You may need to wipe down the unit to remove large debris first. If the handle will not move to the unhitching position specifically, do not force it—the jaw may be under tension. Slowly reverse the truck to remove the load on the jaw.
Ann
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May 22, 2023
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