reese 15k problems

[Elk]

I am new to the fifth wheel game. My question is has any one else had problems with bending the inside of these hitches? The first one bent so bad on the right side could not slide the handle closed. Now this one the handle closes but, is bent on the inside. I am also seeing wear on the king pin about and 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch. All my hauling is in the mountains (where else would you go in northern idaho with your atv. ) Both dealer and hitch installer assure me the fifth wheel should be able to go anywhere my old trailer did. So far the hitch installer keeps replacing, but maybe I need a heavier duty hitch. I also notice my rig does not set level, the trailer pitches toward the truck. The hitch is in it's highest postion, but with the axels fliped the trailer is higher.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Hitch

If you don't have the hitch that rocks from side to side you are putting a lot of stress on the kingpin and hitch when you make a sharp turn. If the hitch is as high as it will go, look at the pin mount on the trailer, most are adjustable too. Also make sure you are not raising the trailer too high when hitching up and the kingpin gets on top of the latching bars. I have just the standard Reese 14000# hitch and bent one of the mounting rails when I first installed it while making a sharp u-turn in a small parking lot on uneven ground. bg

 

[Elk]

my reese 15k is the trail boss which does move slighly side to side. Maybe there is one which even moves more side to side. because many of the mountain roads have sharp curves with large supers. Many times the trailer almost hits the bedrails. (within an inch or two) On level ground I have 10-12 inches of clearence.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Elk,

The Reese 20K has quite a bit more travel - front/back & side/side - from what I can tell. I got a 15K with my Patio Hauler but will probably try to find a 20K to gain the additional travel. I guess the other option is an air ride hitch - $$$$$$$$.



Brian

 

[Larry Willard]

I had the 15K originally, it seemed to have a lot of play in the head, so went back and paid the difference between the two and got a 20K and am totally satisified with it.

Larry

 

[Grandpappy]

Elk. . I had much problems with a 15K Drawtite hitch. I have been told Reese and Drawtite are same Co. Anyway, I didn't bother with dealer other than have them verify my problem. Called mfg. direct and got a new 20K hitch for $200. and old hitch. The 20K is much, much better than the 15K. You can get the 800 no. for Reese/Drawtite from your dealer. BTW... they paid freight.