Join CruisersForum Today
Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 06-29-2006, 07:21 AM   #1
twogr8kdz is offline
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 14
we took delivery of our very first 5th wheel on Tuesday. Well we get home, unhitch and realize the hitch wiggles around when the camper is not attached, is there a way to secure it so it's not "flopping" around in the bed of the truck while going to the grocery store...does this even make sense? I have to take the truck for an oil change today and i'm not very happy about driving it with this thing flopping around. My husband is not around at the moment..thanks

__________________
  Reply With Quote
   
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 06-29-2006, 07:21 AM   #2
twogr8kdz is offline
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 14
we took delivery of our very first 5th wheel on Tuesday. Well we get home, unhitch and realize the hitch wiggles around when the camper is not attached, is there a way to secure it so it's not "flopping" around in the bed of the truck while going to the grocery store...does this even make sense? I have to take the truck for an oil change today and i'm not very happy about driving it with this thing flopping around. My husband is not around at the moment..thanks

__________________
  Reply With Quote
   
Old 06-29-2006, 07:55 AM   #3
RustyJC is offline
Moderator Emeritus
RustyJC's Avatar


Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cypress, Texas USA
Posts: 6,208
A dual pivot 5th wheel hitch has fore/aft and side-to-side freedom of movement by design. If you want to secure it, try a bungee cord between the hitch head and the hitch frame.

Rusty
__________________
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie Cummins 6.7L/6 speed auto/4.10LS crew cab LB dually
2004 Doubletree Mobile Suites 36RE3 5th wheel
Come join us on a TEXAS BOOMERS rally!
  Reply With Quote
   
Old 06-29-2006, 07:58 AM   #4
twogr8kdz is offline
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 14
thanks, was beginning to wonder if something was wrong...so this is normal? that's good to know!

thanks so much
__________________
  Reply With Quote
   
Old 06-29-2006, 10:31 AM   #5
Tail_gunner is offline
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Marquette, MI
Posts: 10
I'm assuming the "flopping" you're referring to is the fore & aft and left to right movement of the "plate" portion.

This is normal. Mid to high end fifth wheel hitches are what is refered to as dual pivoting, meaning they can pivot from side to side and front to back to accomodate the "flexing" between the truck and trailer when moving over uneven ground. Some hitches have "lock-outs" that will secure the hitch plate for when not towing. If your hitch does not have such a feature, do as Rusty suggested, or insert a chunk of styrofoam or foam rubber between the "plate" and frame to stop the random "flopping".
__________________
Hilltop RV Superstore- parts dept.

Retired USAF MSGT
  Reply With Quote
   
Old 06-29-2006, 10:39 AM   #6
twogr8kdz is offline
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 14
yes the movement of the plate. after all that worry about it "flopping" i drove it and didn't notice it at all thank goodness cause that could drive you crazy fast!

Thanks again!
__________________
  Reply With Quote
   
Old 06-29-2006, 01:52 PM   #7
TXiceman is offline
Moderator Emeritus
TXiceman's Avatar


Vintage RV Owners Club
Texas Boomers Club
Oklahoma Boomers Club
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 11,179
Mine will occassionally flop, but not enough to worry about. Lots of folks use bungee cords or a piece of foam such as a pool noodle.

Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator|Practicing for our retirement! 2008 Cameo 35SB3 - 2002 7.3L Crew Cab Dually w/ a SCMT - Max Brake - Travel with one Miniature Schnauzer, one Standard Schnauzer and one small Parrot
  Reply With Quote
   
Old 06-29-2006, 03:45 PM   #8
Rick A is offline
Senior Member
Rick A's Avatar
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Boerne, TX
Posts: 522
Send a message via Yahoo to Rick A
Mine has a lockout for the side pivot, and I never remember to lock it. I don't even notice the head of the hitch moving around back there. The jacks and tire irons, and other crap that I keep in the rear tool box makes more noise than the hitch.

__________________
2005 F-250 XLT 4X4 V-10
2006 Wildcat 31QBH
  Reply With Quote
   
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Bike hitch rack on 5th wheel ext pin hitch LIKENIT 5th Wheel Discussion 17 12-11-2008 08:12 AM
Trail-Air or 5th Ariborne 5th Wheel Hitch K-Star 5th Wheel Discussion 5 08-11-2007 07:07 AM
5th wheel hitch? buster Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 16 05-04-2006 12:44 PM
best 5th wheel hitch? tearp40 Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 7 10-16-2005 08:55 AM
5th Wheel Hitch ?? Hoverbug Toy Haulers Discussion 29 07-26-2005 09:20 PM

Download our Mobile App






1% for the Planet
» Upcoming Rallies
No events scheduled in
the next 365 days.
» iRV2 on facebook

Our Communities

Our communities encompass many different hobbies and interests, but each one is built on friendly, intelligent membership.

» More about our Communities

Automotive Communities

Our Automotive communities encompass many different makes and models. From U.S. domestics to European Saloons.

» More about our Automotive Communities

RV & Travel Trailer Communities

Our RV & Travel Trailer sites encompasses virtually all types of Recreational Vehicles, from brand-specific to general RV communities.

» More about our RV Communities

Marine Communities

Our Marine websites focus on Cruising and Sailing Vessels, including forums and the largest cruising Wiki project on the web today.

» More about our Marine Communities


Copyright 2002-2012 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:02 AM.