5th Wheel Hitch Pin Slack Help

[MChilds]

I’m pulling a 38’ horse trailer that weighs about 14,000 pounds. My problem is there is about a ¼” of slack between the hitch pin and locking jaws of the 5th wheel hitch and slaps back and forth hard when I start out, shift gears or even go up a hill.



I’ve tried a Reese and Husky hitch but neither one can be adjusted (like a big truck 5th wheel) to get the excess slack out. Anybody have any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[launchman]

You might consider one of the Teflon disc that you can buy at Walmart, Camping World or other RV supply stores (around $10. ). I have noticed that there is also some slack in the pin's that mount the unit to the truck bed. I think I might try covering them with some Teflon shrink fit, to elimanate the slack.

Good luck

 

[yogibear]

Hitch pin slack

There are different sizes of hitch pins. Get a larger pin.

Larry

 

[MChilds]

Hitch Pin Slack

Thanks for the replys. I've got the teflon disk but that's not the problem and the mounting pins, etc. are all tight. The problem is in the pin to jaw clearance so what I really need is the larger size pin suggested by yogibear.



B]So, yogibear where do I get one of those?[/B]



Thanks

 

[Pogodually]

I replace my hitch pin on my 40 ft fiver with a BIG RIG pin. Had a much bigger weld point, much stonger, and showed no sign of wear after 5 years. Helped me with minor "slop" in lockup on pin and hitch.



JMHO

 

[MChilds]

Hitch Pin Slop

Pogodually; where did you get the pin and how did you attach it to the pin box?



Thanks

 

[RON'S RAM]

My 5th wheel pin also has more slack than I like, but I thought this was needed to allow the trailer to tilt seperate from the truck. If it was too tight, something would have to give. Just my thoughts.

 

[SnoKing]

Hijacker

I like my Hijacker because it has a adjustment for pin slop and when the handle is in you know it is locked (bar goes behind pin), also you can put a pad lock on the release lever. It also has left to right tilt. Snow King