Owners manual

***DO NOT EXCEED VEHICLE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED TOWING CAPACITY.***
HAVING INSTALLATION QUESTIONS? CALL TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT 1-800-798-0813
PERIODICALLY CHECK THIS HITCH TO ENSURE THAT ALL FASTENERS
ARE TIGHT AND THAT ALL STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS ARE SOUND.
CURT Manufacturing LLC., warrants this product to be free of defects in material and/or workmanship at the time of retail purchase by the original purchaser. If the product is found to be
defective CURT Manufacturing LLC., may repair or replace the product, at their option, when the product is returned, prepaid, with proof of purchase. Alteration to, misuse of, or improper
installation of this product voids the warranty. CURT Manufacturing LLC.'s liability is limited to repair or replacement of products found to be defective, and specifically excludes liability for
incidental or consequential loss or damage.
16150
WARNING!! BRAKE, FUEL, AND ELECTRICAL LINES MAY NEED TO BE LOOSENED OR REPOSITIONED TO PROVIDE CLEARANCE
FOR NEW HARDWARE. SOME MODELS REQUIRE MODIFICATION OR REMOVAL OF HEAT SHIELDS. ON SHORT BED MODELS,
CHECK FOR ADEQUATE TURNING CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FRONT OF ALL TRAILERS AND THE TRUCK CAB.
PAGE 5 OF 6
MOUNTING RAIL KIT
BEFORE TOWING THE FIRST TIME:
- Verify adequate turning clearance between the truck cab / box corners and trailer(s).
SEE CAB CLEARANCE CALCULATION SHEET
- Verify truck bed clearance at various angles and maneuvering positions.
- Verify all hardware is torqued to the proper specification.
BEFORE TOWING EVERY TIME
:
- Ensure all fasteners are tight and that all structural components are sound.
Note
: Do not tow trailer with worn or damaged parts.
- Ensure the trailer weight does not exceed any part of your towing system. Be sure load is heavier towards
front of the trailer while not exceeding the hitch tongue weight. Be sure trailer load is secured to prevent
shifting and centered from left to right. Note
: Never load the trailer heavier behind the trailer axle(s).
- Check tires to ensure they are inflated to the proper specification. Follow vehicle and trailer recommendations.
- Verify trailer lights, electric brakes, and breakaway switches are working properly.
WARNING!!
- Vehicle performance (braking, handling, acceleration, turning radius) can be drastically affected by the trailer.
Allow additional time / space for stopping, changing lanes, passing and turning.
- Do not tow more than one trailer at a time. This may cause loss of control.
- Severe bumps can damage your towing system. Avoid or drive slowly over rough terrain.
** IMPORTANT TOWING INFORMATION
**
Ford Applications
(continued)
1997-98 Ford F-350 truck (behind axle installation)
Due to some heavy duty suspension components on various models of this truck, the assembled 5th wheel
(with mounting rails) must be positioned to the rear of the axle centerline. The rear mounting rail should be
located 28-3/8” from rear edge of bed on long bed trucks and 27-3/4” from rear edge of bed on short bed trucks.
Check the angle bracket to frame rail attachment points to find the best location as close to the axle centerline
as possible.
1997-04 Ford F-150 and F-250 truck (except HD F-250 and 2004 F-150 new body) (over axle installation)
Some installations may position the mounting rails so that the attachment holes are drilled down through the
front under bed support and the truck frame rail. On these applications, use the tube spacer which is purchased
separately. The angle brackets from this kit are used at the rear locations. The rear mounting rail should be
located 26-3/4” from rear edge of bed on long and short bed trucks.
1999-02 Ford F-250 and F-350 super duty truck (over axle installation)
Position the assembled 5th wheel (with mounting rails) so that its centerline is centered over the truck axle.
The rear mounting rail should be located 28-1/4” from rear edge of bed on all trucks. If the truck is equipped
with overload springs, the spring bracket on the side of the frame rail will have to be temporarily removed.
Holes in the frame rail and spring brackets must be enlarged to accept 1/2" bolts. Use the straight brackets
on the front mounting rail and the angled brackets at the rear mounting rail. The rear angle brackets will
line up with the previously removed overload spring brackets. Reinstall the spring brackets on top of the
angle brackets. The rear spring bracket attachment points will require 3/8” thick spacers and longer 1/2” bolts,
not supplied in kit.