Choosing a Fifth Wheel Hitch Lifter for Your Truck

By Garage Smart | Published: 2026-10-17

Category: Buying Guides

Learn how to choose a fifth wheel hitch lifter for your truck. This guide covers key decision rules, fit guidance, and product trade-offs for safe solo RV towing.

Quick answer

For most truck owners who remove and install a fifth wheel hitch alone, a dedicated fifth wheel hitch lifter saves your back and makes the job a one-person task. The Garage Smart Fifth Wheel Hitch Lifter handles the heavy lifting, but you need to check your truck bed dimensions and hitch weight capacity first.

What to look for in a hitch lifter

A fifth wheel hitch lifter must match your hitch's weight and your truck bed layout. Most fifth wheel hitches weigh between 100 and 250 pounds, so the lifter's lift capacity and mounting footprint are critical. The Garage Smart Fifth Wheel Hitch Lifter is designed specifically for this task, but verify that your truck bed has enough clearance for the lifting frame and that the hitch's mounting brackets align with the lifter's attachment points.

If you plan to store the hitch when not in use, consider a lifter that allows easy removal from the truck bed. The Fifth Wheel Hitch Lifter from Garage Smart includes components that make storage straightforward, but you may need additional accessories like lifting straps if you want to hoist the hitch to a ceiling mount.

Compatibility with your truck and hitch

Not all hitch lifters work with every truck model. Measure your truck bed width, depth, and the distance between wheel wells. The Fifth Wheel Hitch Lifter requires a flat, unobstructed mounting surface. If your truck has a bed liner or toolboxes, check that they don't interfere with the lifter's frame. Also confirm that your fifth wheel hitch has standard mounting holes that match the lifter's bolt pattern. If you have a non-standard hitch, you may need to fabricate adapter plates or choose a different solution.

Decision rules for choosing a hitch lifter

Weight capacity first: Check your fifth wheel hitch's weight. If it exceeds the lifter's rated capacity, you need a heavier-duty model. The Garage Smart Fifth Wheel Hitch Lifter is built for heavy duty hitches, but the exact max weight is not listed in the catalog. Contact support if your hitch is over 250 lbs. Weigh your hitch before buying.
Truck bed fit: Measure your truck bed width and depth. The lifter needs enough space to mount securely without interfering with wheel wells or side storage. The Fifth Wheel Hitch Lifter's footprint is not specified, so measure the mounting area and compare with the product dimensions (not provided). Measure twice, order once.
Installation effort: The lifter is designed for one-person installation, but you may need basic tools and a helper for the initial setup. If you are not comfortable drilling into your truck bed, consider professional installation. Plan for a weekend project.

Key product facts

Fifth Wheel Hitch Lifter: The Garage Smart Fifth Wheel Hitch Lifter makes the removal, installation, and storage of your heavy duty fifth wheel hitch an easy, one person job. This means you can handle the hitch alone without straining your back, but you still need to ensure your hitch weight is within the lifter's capacity (not specified in catalog).
Lifting Straps: These lifting straps are designed specifically for use with our lifting frames such as the Universal XL and Universal XL HD. They are great for attaching cargo carriers, kayaks, paddle boards, roof top tents, large kids' ride-on toys, and more! If you plan to store the hitch overhead, these straps can help secure it to a ceiling lifting frame, but they are not included with the hitch lifter and must be purchased separately.

Who should buy this hitch lifter?

Best for

Solo RV owners who frequently remove and install their fifth wheel hitch alone.
Truck owners with a standard bed layout and a heavy duty hitch who want to avoid back strain.

Not for

Truck owners with non-standard hitches that do not have standard mounting patterns.
Those who need a lift-and-store solution that includes overhead storage hardware (you'll need additional accessories like lifting straps).