Demco Recon User manual
HJ26201, Rev 2
01/20
5th WHEEL HITCH
Recon 2-5/16” Ball Mount
Page 2 HJ26201
Trailer and its contents together must not exceed truck, hitch and/or trailer tow ratings.•
Towing vehicle must have a manufacturer’s rated towing capacity equal to or greater than the gross trailer•
weight (dry weight of the trailer plus payload of the trailer).
Gross weight of trailer must not exceed weight rating of hitch assembly.•
King pin weight must not exceed 4,000 pounds. If in doubt have king pin weight measured by qualified facil-•
ity.
Do NOT Use a Wedge. Do NOT prevent the kingpin from rotating within jaws of the Recon Goose Ball Coupler•
with a wedge or other device.
WARNING
Failure to follow these instructions may result in death or serious injury!
Thank you for purchasing a Demco Recon hitch. We feel you have made a wise choice and hope you are completely
satisfied with your new piece of equipment.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Unless otherwise specified, high-strength (grade 5)
(3 radial-line head markings) hex head bolts are used
throughout assembly of this piece of equipment.
2. Whenever the terms “LEFT” and “RIGHT” are used in
this manual it means from a position behind thevehicle
and facing forward.
3. When placing a parts order, refer to this manual for
proper part numbers and place order by PART NO.
and DESCRIPTION.
Introduction
Bolt Torque for Standard bolts *
GRADE 2 GRADE 5 GRADE 8
“A”lb-ft (N.m) lb-ft (N.m) lb-ft (N.m)
1/4”6 (8) 9 (12) 12 (16)
5/16”10 (13) 18 (25) 25 (35)
3/8”20 (27) 30 (40) 45 (60)
7/16”30 (40) 50 (70) 80 (110)
1/2”45 (60) 75 (100) 115 (155)
9/16”70 (95) 115 (155) 165 (220)
5/8”95 (130) 150 (200) 225 (300)
3/4”165 (225) 290 (390) 400 (540)
7/8”170 (230) 420 (570) 650 (880)
1”225 (300) 630 (850) 970 (1310)
Bolt Torque for Metric bolts *
CLASS 8.8 CLASS 9.8 CLASS 10.9
“A” lb-ft (N.m) lb-ft (N.m) lb-ft (N.m)
6 9 (13) 10 (14) 13 (17)
7 15 (21) 18 (24) 21 (29)
8 23 (31) 25 (34) 31 (42)
10 45 (61) 50 (68) 61 (83)
12 78 (106) 88 (118) 106 (144)
14 125 (169) 140 (189) 170 (230)
16 194 (263) 216 (293) 263 (357)
18 268 (363) -- -- 364 (493)
20 378 (513) -- -- 515 (689)
22 516 (699) -- -- 702 (952)
24 654 (886) -- -- 890 (1206)
WARRANTY POLICY, OPERATOR MANUALS & REGISTRATION
Go online to www.demco-products.com to review Demco warranty policies, operator manuals and register your Demco
product.
HJ26201 Page 3
Demco 5th wheel hitches are designed for use with recreational fifth wheel trailers only.1.
Use only a SAE 2-inch king pin with your Demco 5th Wheel Hitch.2.
Approximately 15%-25% of trailer weight should be on hitch (Pin Weight).3.
Trucks come in many different configurations. Demco hitches are designed for use in light trucks such as the Ford4.
F-Series, the Chevy Silverado and the Dodge Ram. Demco recommends the use of long bed (8ft) light trucks for
the best combination in truck - trailer turning clearance.
If a short bed pickup (less than 8 ft. but longer than 6 ft.) is to be used for towing, Demco recommends the5.
trailer be equipped with an extended pin box to help gain additional truck - trailer turning clearance (See trailer
manufacturer for options). It also may be helpful to add a Demco 5th Wheel Ultra Slide for increased turning
clearance for low speed, non- highway maneuvering.
The height of the hitch and the pin box should be adjusted so the trailer is approximately level as it is towed. Al-6.
low approximately 6 inches clearance between the top of the pickup walls and the underside of the front of the
trailer for pitch and roll of the trailer. Allow more clearance between pickup walls and trailer for off road use.
Rule of thumb: The distance from the
back of the truck cab to the center of
the rear truck axle (“X”), should be
approximately 4 inches greater than
one-half the trailer width (“Y”)
5th Wheel Hitch Guidelines
Page 4 HJ26201
The dampener stops the hitch head from flopping back and forth in the
truck when the trailer is not hooked up. The urethane compresses under
load so it does not restrict the fore and aft movement when coupled.
Before attaching the hitch head to the saddle assembly the urethane
dampener will need to be installed. It is included in the bag with the bolt
and nut for the hitch handle. Simply press into hole that is punched into
the bottom side of the hitch as shown in Figure A.
Note (Read carefully before installing): Handle can be
positioned toward the front or the back if it is found to
interfere with the trailer in any way. Verify this before trav-
eling.
Slide yellow gripped handle over locking bar, the1.
handle may point forward, upward or backward.
**DO NOT have pointing upward if it is found to in-
terfere with the trailer in any way during turning.
Fasten with 3/8” x 1 ¾” bolt and lock nut provided.2.
Procedures to Close Locking Bar
Pull on handle with slight pressure while moving the
secondary jaw to the right until the primary jaw is re-
leased. Slowly allow the handle to retract into the 5th
wheel head. Caution: Do not put hands/fingers into the
lock jaw area.
DO NOT install hitch handle in a position that the pin box could come in contact with or interfere with the latch of the
hitch handle when turning! If the pin box contacts the hitch handle or its latch when turning, the trailer may become
unhitched.
WARNING
Each of our 5th wheel hitches has been tested and pre-greased
at our production facility to help ensure easy operation of your
new product.
As it is a new piece of equipment with some moving parts, a
period of wearing in may be necessary to facilitate smoother
operation for your new fifth wheel hitch. The most important
thing to remember is to keep all moving parts well greased and
lubricated. Your doing this will help to ensure longer product
life.
Jaw pins can be removed and greased by removing
or unhooking jaw spring and both snap rings. Tap
the pin up from bottom. Clean pins and inspect for
wear, apply light coat of grease and reinstall pins,
snap rings and spring.
5th Wheel Pivot Head Maintenance
Squirt WD40 or other oil into locking bar
tube, open and close locking bar several
times and wipe bar clean.
Apply a light coat of grease
between arrows.
Figure A
5th Wheel Double Pivot Head Assembly
HJ26201 Page 5
5th Wheel Hitch Operation Instructions
Place wheel chocks on both sides of trailer wheels.1.
Lower trailer jacks to ground and extend until load2.
is level with truck suspension. If on soft ground,
place support under jack feet to prevent trailer from
settling.
Lower tailgate on truck.3.
Disconnect power cable and break away switch.4.
Remove lock pin and pull handle out. If handle will5.
not stay out, install safety pin in second handle hole
just outside of frame handle bushing.
Drive truck slowly away from trailer.6.
Inspect all fasteners for tightness at least every 2,0001.
miles of operation.
Inspect jaw and jaw bar for freedom of movement2.
and proper operation before each use. Replace all
damaged or worn parts.
Keep all moving parts of hitch well lubricated.3.
It is recommended to use grease or a 3/16” maxi-4.
mum Teflon disc to help prevent wear on top plate
surface.
Coupling Procedure Uncoupling Procedure
Very Important
Maintenance Instructions
Very Important Warnings
Know your vehicle and trailer GVWR and CVWR.1.
DO NOT exceed capacity of hitch.
Hitch is for use with only a standard 2” king pin.2.
Safety pin MUST be fastened securely before moving vehicle and/or traveling
Ready to Couple Coupled and Locked Uncoupled
VISUALLY INSPECT JAW LOCKING MECHANISM BEFORE TRAVELING
Remove safety lock
pin if installed and
pull handle until
jaw locks open.
With handle in "Ready to Couple" position,
back-up tow vehicle to couple trailer and hitch.
Insert safety pin thru tab and hole in handle.
NOTE: Ensure safety lock pin is inserted properly.
Apply trailer brakes before jacks are raised and
wheel chocks are removed.
Place wheel chock on each side of trailer wheels.1.
Adjust trailer jacks until trailer is a height for hook up.2.
King pin plate should contact hitch approximately 1/2”
below level.
Lower tailgate of truck.3.
If hitch is in locked position, remove safety pin and pull4.
handle out to the “Ready to Couple” position.
Line truck so that the hitch will accept king pin. Back5.
truck up slowly towards trailer until king pin engages.
Hitch will lock when king pin is fully engaged.
With the trailer coupled, visually check to see if hitch is6.
completely locked by looking at the handle position,
as well as visually checking to ensure that the jaw bar
has traveled completely across the front of the king
pin.
Place safety pin thru the tab and the hole in the han-7.
dle. This will prevent handle from opening.
Connect power cable and breakaway switch cable be-8.
tween truck and trailer.
Close and latch tailgate.9.
Apply trailer brakes and try to pull forward slowly to10.
double check that hitch is locked. Trailer should pre-
vent truck from moving.
Completely raise trailer jacks. Check for proper clear-11.
ance between truck box and trailer.
Pick up and store wheel chocks. You are now ready to12.
travel.
To uncouple, remove safety pin,
pull handle straight out until the
jaw locks open. If jaw will not
stay open, install safety pin in
second handle hole just outside
of frame handle bushing.
Page 6 HJ26201
Recon Installation Instructions
Place Recon base over gooseneck 2-5/16” ball so ball1.
fits into the recon ball coupler. NOTE: Ball coupler
socket goes towards cab of truck.
CAB
Slide coupler pin into coupler hole, making sure pin2.
goes under gooseneck ball. Top coupler bolt may
need to be loosened for pin to go under the ball.
When coupler pin is installed, tighten top coupler bolt3.
to 30 ft/lbs. Install bolt retainer over bolt and secure
retainer with the 1/4” bolt.
The correct height for the hitch is such that there is4.
approximately 6” of clearance between the top of
the truck box and the bottom of the trailer overhang.
The Demco Recon hitch has 2-1/2” of adjustment
up or down in 1-1/4” increments. Once the proper
height has been determined, slide the center post to
the right position and pin with cross pin and tighten
setscrews and jam nuts of base. It is best to use a
3/4” twelve point socket to tighten the set screws to
100 ft/lbs and a 15/16” deep well socket for the jam
nuts.
Install 5th wheel head with the 1” pin.5.
HJ26201 Page 7
Pivot Head Parts Breakdown
6169 Parts Breakdown
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ITEM PART # QTY DESCRIPTION
100908 1 BOLT, .375 NC X 1.75 HEX GR.5
202592 1 NUT, .375NC NYLON LOCK
303547 1 BOLT .313NC X 2.25 GR5 HEX
403787 1 SCREW #10NC X .50 SELF DRILLING HEX HD
505337 1 SAFETY LOCK PIN ASSEMBLY
614214-76 1 HITCH HANDLE
714216 1 YELLOW GRIP F/ 1.125 RND TUBE
814315 1 SPRING, TENSION, .063 WIRE X .50 OD X 2.75
914385 1 SPRING COMPRESS .105 MW
10 14594-95 1 JAW HOOK
11 14595-95 1 SECONDARY LATCH JAW
12 14735-95 1 MAIN JAW PIN
13 14736-95 1 SECONDARY JAW PIN
14 14737-95 1 BAR/JAW LINK
15 14747 2 SCREW .313NC X .25 SOCKET HD CAP
16 14749 1 SNAP RING EXT FOR .50 SHAFT
17 14750 1 SNAP RING EXT F/ .75SHAFT
18 14865 2 ROLL PIN, .25 X 1.00
19 14867-95 1 LEVER ARM BAR
20 14869-95 1 LOCK BAR
21 15769 1 URETHANE PIVOT BUMPER 3/8” THICK
22 15801-76 1 5th WHEEL DOUBLE PIVOT HEAD
Please order replacement parts by PART NO. and DESCRIPTION
Recon Base Parts Breakdown
6201 Base Parts Breakdown
6201 Base Parts Breakdown
10
2
9
53
1
11
12
4
7
13
6
8
ITEM # PART # DESCRIPTION Qty
1 00489 NUT .625NC JAM RIGHT HAND 1
2 02397 LYNCH PIN 1
3 02961 .75NC NYLON INSERT LOCK NUT 1
4 09946 SET SCREW .625NC X 2.00 SQ HD 1
5 11099 BOLT 2
6 11337 HINGE BUSHING 1
7 11593 HITCH PIN, .625 W/ HAIR PIN 1
ITEM # PART # DESCRIPTION Qty
8 14221 LYNCH PIN, .313 1
9 14222 AS PIVOT PIN 1" X 9.38 1
10 15769 URETHANE PIVOT BUMPER 3/8" THICK 2
11 15773 UPRIGHT CASTING 1
12 15778 5th WHEEL HEAD YOKE 1
13 15918 RECON BALL MNT BASE 1
3
2
4
1
5
ITEM # PART # DESCRIPTION Qty
1 00092 BOLT .25NC X .50 GR5 HEX 1
2 15385 BOLT LOCK PLATE 1
3 15915 2.313 COUPLER, RECON 1
ITEM # PART # DESCRIPTION Qty
4 15930 PIN .50 X 4.00 BENT HANDLE W/HAIR PIN1
5 15944 BOLT .625NC X 2.25 HEX GR5 1
ITEM # PART # DESCRIPTION Qty
100092 BOLT .25NC X .50 GR5 HEX 1
215385-76 BOLT LOCK PLATE 1
315915 2.313 COUPLER, RECON” 1
415930 PIN .50 X 4.00 BENT HANDLE w/ HAIR PIN 1
-00182 HAIR PIN, .120 WIRE X 2.375 1
515944 BOLT .625NC X 2.25 HEX GR5 1
Please order replacement parts by PART NO. and DESCRIPTION
ITEM # PART # DESCRIPTION Qty
100489 NUT .625NC JAM RIGHT HAND 2
202397 LYNCH PIN 1
302961 .75NC NYLON INSERT LOCK NUT 1
409946 SET SCREW .625NC X 2.00 SQ HD 2
511099 BOLT , .75 NC X 5.00 HEX GR. 8 2
611337-95 HINGE BUSHING 1
711593 “HITCH PIN, .625 W/ HAIR PIN” 1
814221 “LYNCH PIN, .313” 1
914222-95 “AS PIVOT PIN 1”” X 9.38” 1
10 15769 “URETHANE PIVOT BUMPER 2
11 15773-76 UPRIGHT CASTING 1
12 15778-76 5th WHEEL HEAD YOKE 1
13 15918-76 RECON BALL MNT BASE 1
Please order replacement parts by PART NO. and DESCRIPTION
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