Removing Hitch From Truck Bed

[Traveler II]

Now that my son has moved away I don’t have anyone that can help me take my hitch out of the truck bed. I was wondering if anyone has built or bought a lift or crane like device that you use? I was thinking of adding a pulley or come-a-long in the rafters of the garage, but I’m not sure the rafters could hold the weight.

My present hitch weights about 80 pounds, not to bad. But I'm thinking of getting a TrailerSaver air hitch that weights about 150 pounds.

[EAW]

A friend of mine uses a engine hoist to remove his and move it around.

[sew2bhappy]

We use an engine hoist, too. Makes it easy to move the hitch around in the garage. I believe DH got his at Harbor Freight.

[Mike Clay]

I used a come-a-long to get my trailair hitch out of the box and paint it. I know what you mean I depend on my son helping me lift heavy items but he is not around much anymore. My hitch comes apart in three sections but the base is heavy.

[honker]

I help my hubby get the hitch out and into the garage. Once he gets it on the tail gate, I help him lift it down and carry into garage, same way putting it back. LOL He say's I'm a girly man. Guess I am use to lifting heavy things, use to lift boxes of quarters all day long, those are heavy.

Mike what kind of paint did you use on your hitch when you repainted it.

[Traveler II]

I used a come-a-long to get my trailair hitch out of the box and paint it. I know what you mean I depend on my son helping me lift heavy items but he is not around much anymore. My hitch comes apart in three sections but the base is heavy.

Mike what kind of hitch do you have?

[Don Wilson]

Jim If you take a chain and loop it around two trusses and attach the come along to the chain the rafters will support the weight of the hitch.

Don

[bigbunkhouse]

we have many times just left it on the front of the trailer. Just pull the pins and press extend We used to pull engines from the rafters, the key is to distribute the load, We put a driveshaft across 4 or 5 rafters and hung a chain thru the ceiling. What size rafters/joists do you have?

[Traveler II]

They're truss rafters made out of 2x4's

[Mike Clay]

Just use exterior spray paint

I have a Reese 20k select series hitch

[dpalmer]

I placed a triple 2x4 across the trusses and a come-a-long then lower it to a base with casters and roll it away. My Curt base is too heavy to lift by hand. Looking at a 120V power hoist.

[Travelers]

I used an engine stand with the Super Glide. I haven't moved the new one yet. Its a 3 piece unit so its should be easier.

[bayoubengal]

My father-in-law does the same thing as Matt. Just leave it on the 5th wheel and pull the pins. He never leaves it in the truck and has no problem re-attaching.

[Diesel Dave 04]

one of the things I like about the curt Q5 hitch it comes apart in 2 pieces the head unit comes off the base so you are only lifting 30-40 pounds at a time.
Not that it matters now but I'M not getting any younger

[Parno]

we have many times just left it on the front of the trailer. Just pull the pins and press extend We used to pull engines from the rafters, the key is to distribute the load, We put a driveshaft across 4 or 5 rafters and hung a chain thru the ceiling. What size rafters/joists do you have?

My SuperGlide will not come out using this method. too heavy and it hangs on the rear pins. Going to be a problem in the future as we will not have a stick house;-(