Capture Plate Bolts Keep Bending On A Demco Hijacker With A Trailair AirRide Pin Box

Question:

I got the hitch from the prior owner and it fit right in my 2012 GMC2500hd short bed with no issues. I adjusted the capture plate as instructed on the Demco web site. I used it for the first time and the adjustment bolts bent. I replaced the bolts with a grade 5 bolt and made the proper adjustment per Demco engineering instructions and bolts still bent and not sure why. Any suggestions to get this adjusted properly to stop bending the capture plate bolts and do you have to make these adjustments each time you connect and disconnect?

asked by: Richard H

Expert Reply:

More than likely, you do not have the correct capture plate on your Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider # DM8550035.

I recommend swapping out the capture plate with the Demco Hijacker Autoslide Capture Plates for Trailair Rota-Flex Pin Boxes # DM6171.

This capture plate is guaranteed to work with your Trailair Air Ride 5th Wheel Pin Box # LC155943, that you have.

As far as adjusting your capture plate each time your connect and disconnect, you do not need to do that. Demco recommends that your capture plate be set at 1/16" from your pin box on either side for initial adjustment, that way your capture plates are set each time you couple and uncouple, and will be aligned for your pin box to function properly.

expert reply by: Bryce D