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Expert Answers about RV Skid Wheels


  • Skid Wheel Availability for a Long Trailer Recommendation
  • Sounds like you are looking for a set of skid wheels. For RVs up to 30 feet long we have the # UF48-979011 that has 4 inch diameter wheels or the part # UF48-979012 that has 5 inch diameter wheels. I also attached a link to a page that has all of the skid wheels we carry.
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  • Skid Plate on Reese 5th Airborne Sidewinder Isn't Level
  • If the skid plate on the Sidewinder isn't level with 60 psi in the airbag, make sure you're on level ground, and ensure that the height of the fifth wheel head is adjusted properly to the fifth wheel is as level as possible. If the fifth wheel hitch head isn't adjusted correctly, it'd explain why the skid plate isn't level.
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  • Troubleshooting Scooter Carrier Making Ground Contact
  • With a scooter carrier that drags on the ground, you have a ground clearance issue that needs addressed. There isn't just a wheel made for that specific purpose, but there are skid wheels that have a similar function like # UF48-979014 designed to protect RV's from frame contact. The issue is this also restricts your ground clearance and they aren't designed to have contact with the ground except for deflecting when needed. The better solution is to plug your vehicle information into...
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  • Preventing Fifth Wheel Camper From Dragging When Entering Driveway
  • Since the axle is already mounted below the springs, an over-under conversion kit like the # K71-385-00 would not be helpful. Going with taller spring hangers (see link) might be an option, however keep in mind that changing the suspension geometry of your fifth wheel trailer might alter its ride characteristics and make it more prone to trailer sway. Additionally, changing the height might reduce the clearance between the top of your truck bed side rails and the bottom of your trailer...
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  • Troubleshooting Hard Connect and Disconnect of Sidewinder on 2004 Montana 5th Wheel Trailer
  • There are several reasons why the trailer might be hard to connect and disconnect from the 5th wheel hitch. First, check the pin weight of your trailer. If the trailer has the truck suspension compressed a great deal then the pressure between the hitch and pin box can cause disconnect to be hard. Hooking up and unhooking on level ground is also a big factor in ease of hook up. Next, check the lubrication of the fifth-wheel hitch. Make sure all of the recommended locations are lubed correctly...
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  • Metal to Metal Noise While Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer Coming from the Jaws of the 5th Wheel Hitch
  • If this noise occurs during starts and stops or any time there may be back and forth movement of the trailer then it is normal to get some metal to metal contact as the trailer king pin bumps around in the jaws of the hitch. The double jaw design of the Reese 5th wheel hitch, # RP30051, is secure but it is not so tight that it will eliminate all movement. You also want to make sure the trailer is not high hitched. This means that the king pin is not fully seated in the hitch. When hooking...
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  • Reese # 30032 Hitch Jaws not Locking Onto Fifth Wheel King Pin
  • A fifth wheel king pin is a standard size, there should be no need to adjust for the width of the pin. I spoke with my contact at Reese, and we agreed that you should check to make sure you are not high hitching the fifth wheel. As you are backing the truck toward the fifth wheel, make sure that the bottom plate of the fifth wheel pin box is about 1/2 to 1 inch LOWER than the skid plate of the fifth wheel hitch. As you ease the hitch back into the king pin, the skid plate will actually...
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  • Skid Wheels for Motorhome to Prevent Scraping When Backing into Parking Spot
  • For preventing scraping when backing a motorhome into a spot typically the best solution is to use a set of skid wheels like the part # UF48-979013 for motorhomes that are 34 feet and longer or the part # UF48-979011 for less than 30 feet. The install of water heaters like the Furrion Tankless water heater like part # FR98SR should only be done by a professional.
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  • Troubleshooting Hard to Close Jaws on Reese 16K 5th Wheel Hitch
  • Thank you for the photo of your Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # RP30047. The regular maintenance of this 5th wheel hitch calls for using a lubricated skid plate or grease on the surface of the hitch and then also engine oil to lubricate pivot points of moving parts within the hitch prior to each use. You should also be checking the hardware for every 1,000 miles of use. If you haven't been keeping up with the maintenance then you'll want to try to work some oil in the moving parts and...
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  • Troubleshooting New Trailer Brakes And Why Causing Tires To Skid When Pulling Away From A Stop
  • It sounds like either your brake controller is on a higher braking setting (most likely) or your brakes themselves might need some adjusting. If you need to adjust your brakes, you can use a tool like a Brake Adjustment Spoon, Item # W80630, or a flat blade screwdriver to adjust the setting of the star wheel. I have attached a video that should help and you would start around the 3-minute mark.
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  • What Can Be Done To Help With Unhooking Fifth Wheel With Sidewinder From Ford F150 Short Bed
  • It sounds like the moving parts inside the fifth wheel head on your Reese 16K hitch need to be cleaned with WD-40, which will clean the area but it will not eliminate all the grease. This will help the fifth wheel head work properly. Then apply a light coating of all purpose grease, such as the LubriMatic White Lithium Grease, # L11354, to the skid plate and the jaw of the fifth wheel hitch. This will help reduce any metal to metal squeaking and wear and it will make it easier to unlock...
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  • Curt A20 5th Wheel Hitch Jaws Do Not Operate and Close Correctly
  • It sounds to me like the Curt A20 hitch # C16541 may need to be lubricated. You might also have a spring or some other internal component that is about to fail. Lubricate before each individual use and every 1,000 miles thereafter. Black graphite grease is recommended for the jaw, pins and the lower bearing assembly jaw. High-pressure wheel bearing grease is preferred for the skid plate. NOTE: In severe cold temperatures a lighter grease, such as white lithium, may be substituted for...
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  • Difficulty Hooking Up/Unhooking 5th Wheel Trailer Using Reese Revolution Pin Box
  • The straighter the truck and trailer are and the more level they are the easier it will be to hook up and unhook the 5th wheel trailer. When using a Revolution or Sidewinder pin box you pretty much have to be straight. The reason is the wedge that locks out rotation of the hitch is in the way. You could remove the wedge to hookup or unhook as long as you remember to put in back into place every time. There are some things that can make it difficult. Basically if the trailer king pin is...
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  • Troubleshooting Hard Connect of Sidewinder on 2013 Keystone Cougar 5th Wheel Trailer
  • There are several reasons why the trailer might be hard to connect to the 5th wheel hitch. First, make sure you are hooking up on level ground. This can be a big factor in ease of hook up. Next, if your sidewinder is pivoting at the 5th wheel hitch, you may be having an issue with the wedge. If you have a universal wedge you will need to get a hitch specific wedge. Next, check the lubrication of the 5th-wheel hitch. Make sure all of the recommended locations are lubed correctly and that...
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  • Troubleshooting 5th Airborne Air Ride 5th Wheel coupler Air Spring Bottoming Out on Trailer
  • Does the unit maintain pressure? If not, there may be a leak. But it sounds to me as if the skid plate is not level or you may have too much weight on the hitch. Start with 80-100 psi (but do not exceed 120 psi). Add air until the skid plate is level. If the ride you experience is too soft (keeps bottoming out), add more pressure. If the ride is too rough, remove pressure until you reach a comfortable medium between too soft and too hard. We call this the Goldilocks Phenomenon. If adjusting...
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  • Troubleshooting Weak Trailer Brake Performance Trailer Brakes that are Grounded w 14 Gauge Wire
  • The first thing that pops out to me is that your ground wires are only 14 gauge when they really should be 10 gauge. That would be an easy thing to try. We sell 10 gauge wire as part # 10-1-1 (sold by the foot). Smaller gauge wire won't allow the full amperage to charge the magnets which will result in weak brake performance. I hope it's as easy of a fix as just that! But let me know how that goes and how the appointment with the RV shop goes too!
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  • Curt A16 Hitch Will Not Close Around the Kingpin
  • If the jaws are coming open with your Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Slider # C16521 what is often the case is that you may not be coupling with the trailer at the correct height, which would not allow the kingpin and hitch to properly engage. You want to make sure the skid plate is just barely above the 5th wheel hitch, by only about 1/2 inch. Proper height is the biggest issue when this happens (called "high-siding") and is the most common problem with not being able to couple...
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  • Play Between King Pin and 5th Wheel Hitch Jaws on Pro Series 5th Wheel Slider Hitch
  • Are the jaws of the hitch fully closed around the king pin? If not then the hitch probably needs to be lubricated according to the manual which simply states "Use engine oil to lubricate pivot points of moving parts within the hitch." If you are using a lube plate instead of grease between the ling pin and hitch skid plates then make sure it is 3/16 inches thick or less and that it is at least 10 inches in diameter such as # RP83002. If these things do not help then inspect the king...
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  • Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes That One Brake Locks Up Before Other Three
  • It's likely your problem is in the wiring for the brakes rather than the brake assemblies. It sounds like your first brake is drawing all the power and the other 3 are not receiving any or at least not enough power. Verify there are no kinks or bad spots on the wiring and no corrosion at the connection points. It is also a good idea to check the wiring connection to ensure that the butt connectors are secure. Using heat shrink butt connectors, like # DW05745-5, will help protect the wiring...
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  • Curt Q20 5th Wheel Hitch Jaws Do Not Close and Lock Freely On First Try
  • There are a couple of things that could be causing the hitch jaws not to close and or lock when they should. First make sure the handle is always fully extended and the jaws are open and ready to accept the king pin. The trailer skid plate should be 1/2 an inch lower that the hitch skid plate at its lowest point. If the jaws are out of sync or even if you suspect that they may not be lined up correctly here is what you can do. First make sure the flip lock is hanging freely in the clockwise,...
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