Why Is My 5th Wheel Hitch Chucking - Making Noise at Start/Stop?
Question:
2014 F-250 SUPER DUTY FX-4 Quad cad short bed Diesel, 2018 KZ 2500 Durango MGVW 12,500 lbs. Curt R-16 #16560 slider hitch, frame mounted above bed rails. Less than 6K miles on trailer, NEVER has been overloaded, just me and my one and only been coast to coast and a few others still....less than 6K. It does not Chuck at Hwy speed on any road surface actually a very nice ride. HOWEVER at any start or stop it slams, tried Brake controller adjustment NO joy, when you let off the brake it slams, its like there is max slop in the King pin and Jaws? Are the base rails holes elongated are there wear limits? If so, WHERE are they and WHAT are they? It was not as noticeable when new but has progressively gotten worse. I would say pin weight is on the lower side NEVER had on coming cars flash me for high beams. But every stop and start SLAM. Or am I being overly sensitive Yea Right All Bolts, nuts, Pins, clips and anything else I can push or pull are tight. Retired Aircraft mech. got torque wrenches, tools, micrometer, feeler gauges and spirit where are the Tech sheets. Just tell me where to measure what. Thanks.
asked by: John C
Expert Reply:
On all hitches, in all brands, there will be some play forwards and backwards, side to side, and even up/down. If there was not you would hear the awful screeching of metal on metal, similar to weight distribution systems on bumper pull travel trailers. This cannot be avoided.
Some people report improvement with lubrication and/or a lube plate, but I do not understand why that should work. I suspect that the capture jaw design may not hold the king pin as tight as other designs.
Since you have the Curt A16 Slider Hitch, check for play in the slide. You maybe able to adjust that. Check where the slider hitch is pinned to the rails. The play must be somewhere.
Try the lube - you have little to lose. Curt # 16721
Products Referenced in This Question
Curt 10" Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch Lube Plate
- Accessories and Parts
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Plates
- Lube Plate
- CURT
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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
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