Should I be scared of a used fiver hitch?

[Radshooter]

I am looking to upgrade my fiver hitch. I am currently using an RBW rated at 15K. It came with the trailer when we bought it new. I have had to replace/repair the release handle numerous times and am getting tired of it. After living full-time in our trailer 5 years, it now tips the scales at 16,700 lbs. We are slowly outgrowing the hitch. I found an RV store here in KC that I talked to on the phone this afternoon. He said he thought he had a "slightly used" 24K double pivot Reese in the shop that he would make me a "real good deal on. " He wanted to go look at it before he told me anything definite about it, which makes me believe he is on the up and up. I will call him tomorrow to see what he found out about it. Here's the story: It has been kicking around the shop and he didn't think it had been towed with very much. Has some nicks, dings, and scratches just from being moved from corner to corner in the shop. He wanted to make sure all the pieces were there before he told me anything for sure about it. I would be OK with a few nicks and scratches if the price was right, as long as it was structurally sound and OK to tow with.

I will try to go look at it Friday after work if the news is good tomorrow.

What should I look for as far as wear and tear? The RBW is the only hitch I have ever used. What other questions should I ask about the hitch?

Another RV store quoted me $1120 for a new 20K Reese double pivot, including rails and adapters for the '03 frame, installation extra. Wherever I buy, they will have to install for me, so that is pretty much a wash. Should I hold out for the new 20K, or try to make a deal on the used 24K?



Thanks for the advice.

Steve

 

[guava]

I was able to pick up a used hitch and have been quite happy with it. The thing supposedly had only been used once. It looked to be in good shape so I was comfortable with the purchase.



Most of the manuals and stuff are online now so make sure you have all the brackets. That stuff adds up by the time you buy 4 sets of everything.



good luck with the purchase

 

[Bertram65]

If you get a Reese get the Signature series, it is a much better hitch than the regular Reese, the under bed mount leaves the bed clean when you take the hitch out as well. They have a 18K double pivot, should be around $800 with the rails that mount to the frame. If you are not going to do the install make sure they follow the directions, getting the bolts inside the frame is not easy, I have heard of installers either cutting access holes or just bolting through both sides on the frame so be sure they do not do that.

This is where I got mine, had it in two days as they have warehouses all over the US they ship from, http://www.bigdiscountrv.com/fifthwheel_reese_sig.htm

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks for the replies. The more I talked to the guy, the more scared I got of the hitch. Each time I talked to him I got a different story. Another forum suggested a trailer supply company nearer where I live. I talked to them a and even went to the shop and was impressed by the questions they asked me before they suggested a hitch for me. I wound up ordering a 20K hitch and a spray in bed liner from them. Should be able to install both sometime this week.



Thanks again.

Steve