5th wheel hitch maintenance

[Joe ricard]

I looked and didn't see a previous thread.

So got the hitch back up in the truck this morning. Used a come a long and heavy strap going through rafters of my steel building. worked great.

Then got to fiddling around with it greasing the pins which lead to "hey what about those pins. Pretty soon I had the whole thing apart cleaning and greasing and inspecting.

Probably need to make this a regular thing as the big piece of round stock for side to side pivot was pretty rusty.

Reese 20K non slider. So here is everyone's reminder, put this on your winter project list. I will be camping in Pensacola.

[RVfixit]

Originally Posted by Joe ricard

I looked and didn't see a previous thread.

So got the hitch back up in the truck this morning. Used a come a long and heavy strap going through rafters of my steel building. worked great.

Then got to fiddling around with it greasing the pins which lead to "hey what about those pins. Pretty soon I had the whole thing apart cleaning and greasing and inspecting.

Probably need to make this a regular thing as the big piece of round stock for side to side pivot was pretty rusty.

Reese 20K non slider. So here is everyone's reminder, put this on your winter project list. I will be camping in Pensacola.

Hi Joe-

So, I have the 20k Reese plate as well. My maintenance routine is to check the pivot pins and clips every trip. Usually once or twice a year, depending on how much I traveled, I unpin the plate and check for wear and lube the pins before reinstalling. I have the built in 5th wheel mounting system on my Ford truck so I also pull the base and check the 4 mounting "pucks" for wear and reinstall. Last, I lube the plate and box pin as needed but at least once a year I clean all of the old grease off and apply new high pressure grease to the plate and zerk fitting at the top of the plate.

You can also refer to the Reese website for maintenance recommendations for your plate.

Safe travels!

[Joe ricard]

Thanks RXfixit.

Yea retired Navy Gunners Mate here. I am used to working big steel things and greasing. It was just one of those inherited things from Previous owner that I hadn't gotten to yet. Last time I was at a campground I noticed so many different 5th wheel hitch set ups.

going to search cleaning carpets and or replacing.

[RVfixit]

Originally Posted by Joe ricard

Thanks RXfixit.

Yea retired Navy Gunners Mate here. I am used to working big steel things and greasing. It was just one of those inherited things from Previous owner that I hadn't gotten to yet. Last time I was at a campground I noticed so many different 5th wheel hitch set ups.

going to search cleaning carpets and or replacing.

I retired two years ago myself but my background has always been in heavy duty equipment repair, construction and the last 20 years of my career was in Facilities Management for Public Schools and commercial projects.

I have always been someone who would rather replace it now then wait for it to need replacing. When on vacation or traveling, I want to enjoy my time, not fix things. Fixing the unexpected is inevitable, but at least I can work towards minimizing those issues.

Anyways, as always, Safe Travels!

[Joe ricard]

So now I am going to work on the pin box side of the 5th wheel hitch. It is a Curt with the air ride cushion bag. I am guessing what I am facing is a class problem. When it rains the inside of the box holds water and is now rusting. I would have thought there would be a drain hole and maybe there was and is now plugged. Anyway, plan to unbolt the whole mass and disassemble, clean to bare metal and POR-15 treat.

[Joe ricard]

Holy smokes that Curt Air bag hitch is one heavy booger. I backed the truck up under and then used floor jack to control thing coming down once all the bolts came out.

[Jkjavelin]

Originally Posted by Joe ricard

Holy smokes that Curt Air bag hitch is one heavy booger. I backed the truck up under and then used floor jack to control thing coming down once all the bolts came out.

LOL, yes, I installed my AirRide myself with my neighbor's help. The standard pinbox that came with the trailer was about 40 lbs. The AirRide is something like 195. We used a floor jack on the tailgate of the truck to install it.
BTW, I don't have problems with water filling in there, I gotta keep the bird nests out.
JK

[Joe ricard]

Yep had an old nest way up in the end of the box section. Had some other tasks to accomplish last couple of days but will get to it now that I have it in my climate controlled shop.

[Joe ricard]

Started chipping and grinding on the hitch pin assembly. Rust and pitting is pretty significant. At what point is this big chunk of welded plate monster structurally compromised. pits are average pencil eraser diameter and up to 1/32" deep. mostly in the bottom plate and inner box where the pivot pin is which is 1/4" and 3/8" thick steel.

[Joe ricard]

All done, pin box hitch re-installed put both pieces on the truck bed separate then assembled and on to the floor jack. Looked at my pictures to make sure I was using the right holes for the bolts. coating was Permatex rust converter, POR-15 and Rustoleum Marine top coat. Made sure I did not cover the drain holes.

[Joe ricard]

Oh and put a new shock absorber on it. Old one had very little dampening left in it.