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Old 06-29-2006, 06:21 AM   #1
twogr8kdz is offline
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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

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Old 06-29-2006, 06:21 AM   #2
twogr8kdz is offline
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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
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Old 06-29-2006, 06:55 AM   #3
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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
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Old 06-29-2006, 06:58 AM   #4
twogr8kdz is offline
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thanks, was beginning to wonder if something was wrong...so this is normal? that's good to know!

thanks so much
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Old 06-29-2006, 09:31 AM   #5
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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".
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Old 06-29-2006, 09:39 AM   #6
twogr8kdz is offline
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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!
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Old 06-29-2006, 12:52 PM   #7
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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
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Old 06-29-2006, 02:45 PM   #8
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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.
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