Is a 17 Year Old Reese 16K 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Safe to Use
Question:
Reese 5th wheel 16 t I have the above 5th wheel hitch, it swivels up and down and side to side. I pull a 37 foot Sundance 5 th wheel with a small Quad garage, opens from the side. I have had this 5th wheel hitch for 3, 5 th wheels I have owned, but have only pulled this one with a 2012 Dodge 3500,1ton, the hitch is about 16-17 years old, should I worry about fatique on this hitch.
asked by: Ron C
Expert Reply:
A 5th wheel hitch that is 16 to 17 years old could have a lot of wear but it depends on how much it is used and how well it is maintained. If the hitch is in good working order with no signs of metal fatigue such as obvious stress marks, bent or broken parts, and the moving parts work fine then you will be fine to keep using it.
But if you have any doubt about the hitch then I would say it is time to go ahead and replace it. For a good 16K hitch that won't break the bank I recommend the Reese hitch # RP30047 for a fixed hitch for long bed trucks or # RP30051 for the slider version for short bed trucks. Either of these hitches will fit the same rails as your existing Reese hitch.
Products Referenced in This Question
Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Square Tube Slider - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 4000 lbs Vertical Load
- 16000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 15 - 18 Inch Tall
- 10 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- Reese
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- Aftermarket Below Bed Rails
- 4000 lbs Vertical Load
- 16000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 13-1/2 - 17 Inch Tall
- Reese
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Shop: Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Slider - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Search Results: pullrite superglide
- Shop: Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Roller - Slide Bar Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Search Results: rv spare tire carrier
- Search Results: slider 5th wheel hitch
- Search Results: 30776
- Search Results: anderson ball mount
- Search Results: curt a20
- Search Results: curt e16
- Shop: Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Shop: Ultra-Fab Folding Spare Tire Mount for Trailers and RVs - Bumper Mount
- Shop: Lube Plate for Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - 10" Diameter
- Shop: B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider for Ram Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20K
- Shop: Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit for Chevy/GMC - Carbide Finish
- Video: Curt Fifth Wheel - Sliding Fifth Wheel - 16516 Review
- Article: Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch Information and Installation Tips
- Video: Curt Fifth Wheel - Sliding Fifth Wheel - C16521 Review
- Q&A: Which Fifth Wheel Hitch Allows for Easiest Connection on Unlevel Ground
- Q&A: Recommended Fifth Wheel Hitch for Un-Level Terrain
- Q&A: How To Prevent Pin Box From Hitting Tailgate When Towing 5th Wheel Trailer with 2017 GMC Sierra 2500
- Q&A: Troubleshooting A Reese Sliding Hitch That Wont Lock
- Q&A: How Far Apart Do the Rails Need to Be to Install the Curt 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch C16541
- Q&A: Recommended Adapter Rails to Attach the Curt Crosswing to the Ram OEM Prep Package
- Q&A: Height Setting for Curt A16 Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Video: Choosing the Best Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Video: Manufacturer Review - Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch
- Article: 4 Steps to Choosing Your 5th Wheel Pin Box
on Fifth Wheel Hitch
