Dethmers Mfg Co 8550052 Recon 21K Manual Slide Fifth Wheel Hitch

Dethmers Mfg Co

<h3>About Demco (Dethmers Manufacturing Company)</h3><p><strong>Demco</strong>, the brand name for Dethmers Manufacturing Company, is one of America&apos;s most enduring and innovative manufacturers of towing, trailer, and agricultural equipment. <a href="/7312-dethmers-mfg-co">Founded in 1964</a> by Robert Dethmers in Boyden, Iowa, the company grew from its roots as a farm implement business into a highly diversified metal goods manufacturer serving agricultural, recreational vehicle, marine, and OEM markets across the United States and beyond.</p><p>The story of Demco&apos;s diversification is a classic American tale of resilience and ingenuity. When the farm economy took a downturn in the early 1980s, the company pivoted by developing the now-iconic Kar Kaddy tow dolly — a self-steering design that allowed motorhome owners to tow a vehicle with its front wheels loaded on a dolly. That product became so synonymous with the category that many RV enthusiasts still use &quot;Kar Kaddy&quot; as a generic term for tow dollies. Over subsequent decades, Demco continued expanding, acquiring the Hijacker line of fifth-wheel hitches, adding supplemental braking systems, and building out a comprehensive lineup of trailer parts and accessories.</p><p>Today, Demco remains a privately held, family-owned company headquartered in Boyden, Iowa, with additional operations in Spencer, Iowa. The company&apos;s commitment to quality and innovation is backed by multiple patents spanning trailer components, braking systems, and tow bar technology. Their product catalog spans everything from tow bars, base plates, and fifth-wheel hitches to grain carts, liquid tender trailers, and combine header transport equipment.</p><h3>Why Towing Professionals and Enthusiasts Trust Demco</h3><p>What sets Demco apart is its ability to engineer products that are simultaneously rugged and user-friendly. Whether you&apos;re an experienced RVer looking for a reliable flat-tow setup or a farmer outfitting a combine header transport, Demco products are engineered with real-world use in mind. Their adapters and connection hardware are designed to integrate seamlessly with their broader towing ecosystem, while their <a href="/7312-dethmers-mfg-co-frame-crossmember-bracket-45815">frame crossmember brackets</a> reflect the same commitment to structural integrity and precision fit that defines the Demco brand.</p><p>Demco&apos;s broad product line — covering both the RV towing and agricultural sectors — gives the company a unique advantage: when one industry cycle is down, the other often compensates. This diversification has helped Demco remain a stable and trusted supplier for generations of customers. The company recently renovated its original Boyden facility to include a Heritage Center celebrating its history and a training facility called the DEPOT, reflecting a continued investment in craftsmanship and workforce development.</p><ul style="list-style:disc"><li><strong>Founded:</strong> 1964 (Dethmers Manufacturing Co.), with roots dating to 1950</li><li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Boyden, Iowa</li><li><strong>Key Product Areas:</strong> RV towing systems, fifth-wheel hitches, trailer parts, braking systems, agricultural equipment</li><li><strong>Notable Product:</strong> Kar Kaddy tow dolly — a self-steering industry icon since 1982</li><li><strong>Company Type:</strong> Privately held, family-owned</li></ul>