I have a truck with fifth wheel prep so I bought the Reese hitch. This one (Reese - Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch - 25K)
What a awesome clean look. Strong and works well. But what a pos. I can not get it out. Put it in without a problem. Towed with it twice about 2 weeks ago tried to get it out wasn't coming. So I decided to work on it later. Well it fits right in the holes so some jerking it came up. Or atleas 3 of the legs one would not budge. Got the jack out and tried lifting it up like that. No luck so I lay down and try to figure out what the deal is.
Well it's a design flaw if you ask me. The have a nut welded on a Handle and the nut is like a cotter pin nut. Through the groove there is a flip over cotter pin that goes through the shaft that on the end has the cam to lock the hitch down. Well the pin broke and the handle just turns doesn't turn the shaft so it's locked. And there's no way to really access it. Keep in mind truck has 4500 mile hitch been used twice. Look up Reese warranty it's lifetime but my responseibty to get it out. If it cost me or not. I can't get to it fromthe bottom cause the that's the only one cover by the def tank. Not sure if it will help or not. Starting to wish I just had the old style now.

 

I have one of these hitches and it appears to me that you can first remove the puck's lock pin, then the handle assembly, and then remove the nut that fastens the puck to the hitch base. After that corner is freed, it should come out.

 

I find it hard to believe that hitch has a higher rating than the B&W version it looks less beefy than theirs. you should be able to take the nut off and then turn the stud to get it out

 

I have the 5th wheel prep but I bought the Reese adapter that fits in the pucks and I can put my existing hitch on the adapter. It uses the same type of system the 25K hitch has. I like it but the only problem I ever have with it is when I go to remove it, I have to have the handles just right in order to get it to pop out of the pucks. This could be a good or bad thing depending on how you want to look at it.

I actually converted my 5th wheel to a gooseneck this year by using the Reese Goose box. I love it and no more dealing with a 5th wheel hitch.

 

if you got it with the truck at purchase then I believe it is covered with the factory warranty.


Ask about it.

 

I can confirm as an owner that the Reese/Ford 25k hitch is in fact a POS for multiple reasons. I like the B&W that replaced it much better and feel okay using it at it's specified limits.

 

Nope it's welded on. That's how the handle turns the pin. They insert shaft from bottom then insert pin from factory but if it's in the bed no way to turn the shaft back out. Stupid setup. Guess they thought there pot metal pin was strong

 

Okay, I see what you mean. It appears as though cutting the handle piece off its pot metal mounting nut (so that the nut spins) would allow you to remove it. What a pain!

 

Are you not able to turn the handle and watch for the hole in the bolt to reappear and then insert a new pin? If not try a pair of needle nose locking pliers and grip the bolt through the slots in the nut. I traveled many miles over 10 years with a hitch like yours and never had a problem.
Gary

 

No way to grab that bolt through those slots. The out side is round and toe right over it. It is not accessible what so ever. And the bolt with the cam is turning. So only way is to drop the def tank and take off the bracket that bolts the prep kit to the frame and grab the cam and turn it if I can. If it was any other hole it would be much easier. But the bracket there only has a slot and the other end a big hole you can see the whole cam. So I have to take off the bracket. No big deal 2 bolts but taking off def tank looks to suck lots of stuff plugged into it. I can't even tow with it at this point no way to tell if it's locked in all the way. What a stupid mess.

 

I've had two 350's with the fifth wheel prep and have never had issues getting the hitch in or out.

 

The prep kit is fine it's the hitch that's the problem. Maybe if I had the campanion one I'd be happier. This one has no access to get out if something breaks. The companion one appears to have access to everything up top.

I went out last night and got to looking only way to get the hitch out after that pin broke is to take off the bed with the fifth wheel prep attached. There are lots of bolts on the prep kit and they all need access fro on the top.

After I got to looking I could barely see the cam. It looked as if the cam was in lock even though the handle was in unlocked. So I turned the handle to lock and it appeared the cam was almost in unlock. So I got back in bed of truck tried to get it up no go I wiggles the handle and it came out. Heck ya! It appears the pin broke right after I started to turn the handle when putting in. There's no way to get enough leverage to brake that pin with the handle. Pretty silly deal. Can't put a bolt in it cause no way to access the nut to tighten it. I may be getting rid of this one going to the companion.

So he pin just sheared it still had the section only pin in the bolt.

 

I've got the Reese Elite Pro 25K hitch. Goes in and out of the bed like butter. Absolutely zero bind on any corner, which I did have however on my previous hitch and truck combo.

So you either have the bed puck holes out of whack, or your hitch. To trouble shoot, a buddy with another hitch would be a start. If you're in or close to central NY (state) my doors are open, PM me!

 

Can you get at the large (1 1/2") nut and loosen that a little to relieve pressure on the Tee pin?
I just installed the Reese adapter in mine last week. PIA to get adjusted, but all is working as it should once that was done. It pops out with no problem. Took the 5th wheel camper on a short jaunt this weekend and all was good with it.

 

You set the cam locks so they engage with minimal force. If you had to use more than 3 fingers to move the lock handle to the engaged position, you had it too tight.