5th wheel hitch

[GGates]

Reese hitch. Seems to be play in pins that connect the hitch to the bed rails. There is annoying clank noise each time I stop or pull out. Is this normal? Is there a fix. I don't want to weld. I need to remove hitch sometimes.

 

[Patriot Diesel]

I love my 16K Reese rocker, mine clunks around a little on bumps, mine is not from play in the pins it is simply the rocker moving around (rocking).

 

[SteveH]

I just installed a Reese 20k tilt hitch this weekend. My 15k developed the same clunking sound you talk about and got quite sloppy taking off and when I braked. I even rode in the back of the pick up for awhile and let my wife drive while I tried to locate the exact source of the clunking. After I took the 15k apart, the big pin that holds the tilt top on it was worn considerable and allowing the hole to form a figure 8. It didn't take much to make considerable racket. This hitch was in its 6th year, and Reese has a 5 year warranty but I called Reese anyway. They had me take it to one of their dealers and let the dealer look at the hitch. Long story made short, they upgraded me FREE to the 20k because most of our pulling is in the mountains and either very hard pulling or the trailer pushing us down the other side. If you need any numbers or a name from Reese, e-mail me. Reese did stand behind their product even though it was out of the warranty.

Steve H

 

[mbrolin]

I have the 20k Reese pulling my 30ft 5er. Ive noticed the clanking as well. What I discovered was that the 5er brakes tended to release slower than the truck brakes. I now tend to take my foot off the brake pedal or at least not have as much pressure on them after stopping. Ive also noticed that smooth take offs are a must to eliminate the clunk. The same thing occurs when stopping too fast. BTW,this is a new hitch and 5er. The brakes are adjusted properly along with the controller.

 

[Lurch]

Mine clunks when I need to grease my plate. Just binding in normal movement. Does it in the rain too.



Lurch

 

[JCaldwell]

I have had mine for 6 years and many miles still as tight as the first day I used it. One question when you couple up to the king pin do you open the jaws or just back into it. All this time I have been backing into the pin with the jaws closed.

 

[merryman]

For years, with two trucks, I used an "Owens" classic- cross bed; where the side rails are over the fender wells. Then with the new truck decided to try a goose neck conversion-----that was a disaster for my fiver. Then I tried a RBW Little Rocker. Don't like it so am considering putting the old Owens back in. The bed of my truck is beginning to like like swiss cheese with all the holes.



Vaughn

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by EKarr

Mine clunks when I need to grease my plate. Just binding in normal movement. Does it in the rain too.



Lurch

You can forget the grease and mess use the teflon ring that can be had at most trailer stores and dealer lots , saves all the mess and works fine same one on my trailer from last fiver at least five years and no ware to disc or pin box or hitch plate , I lube jaws and moving parts with dry lube or WD 40 ring cost about eight dollars . Ron in Louisville KY

 

[SteveH]

Hi JCaldwel, the Reese instructions say you should just back into the jaws and let them open and close on their own to insure correct fastening. You are doing it correctly according to the book.

My new 20k makes no thumping noises up hill, down hill, taking off, or stopping. Didn't remember what it was like not hearing the 5th wheel klunking all the time.

Steve H