threeaces
Clackamas, Oregon
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Joined: 12/20/2004
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I have a 20K Reese Fifth Wheel hitch - the one that is "easily" removable from the bed.
My problem is that I'm experiencing "slop" where the base of the hitch fits into the two bed rails. I have towed my trailer about a dozen trips and it seemed to become a problem about 3 trips ago (at least I don't remember feeling the "shift" when starting and stopping).
Tonight when I unhooked I removed the top portion of the hitch (the main part that pivots). I was then able to take my hand and "rock" the base and feel the "slop".
Is this normal? Is there any way to eliminate it? It's kind of irritating after a while hearing this clunk!
* This post was
edited 08/31/08 08:24pm by threeaces *
Derek
Wife & 2 boys (7 years old & 4 years old)
2007 Dodge 1-ton SRW Quad Cab LB (6.7 Cummins / 6-speed Auto)
2008 Keystone Raptor 3612DS
2006 Honda CRF250X
2007 KTM 50 SX JR
2005 Honda CRF50
1979 Honda Trail 90 (950 orig. miles )
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dgc_61
San Diego, CA
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Joined: 04/20/2004
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Being able to rock the base is not normal. I wouldn't hitch up until you find out what the problem is. Have you taken the base out of the bed? It sounds like one or more of the anchors is not locked or a locking nut is loose.
DON, LUCYE & Max the Cat
2004 Chevy 3500 CC D/A SRW, Reese Signature 18K Hitch, Prodigy Brake Controller
2005 HitchHiker Discover America 31.5 LKTG LS
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threeaces
Clackamas, Oregon
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Joined: 12/20/2004
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The rails in the bed are solid. It's the way the base of the hitch fits into the rails. All bolts are tight! There are 4 pins that attach the base to the rails.
Please realize that the movement is very slight. It's not like it's shifting inches. I would say it's 1/32 of an inch. However, when pulling 14,000lbs I can sure feel and hear the slight shift.
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dgc_61
San Diego, CA
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Sorry threeaces I thought you were talking about a Reese Signature hitch that has no rails in the bed.
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pupeperson
Silver Springs, NV
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I have a Reese Signature hitch with the 4 "pucks" that have rotating cams to lock the base into position. This hitch too had some "slop" in it just as the OP describes. It was like a 4 legged table with one leg that was just a fraction of an inch too short.
The fix on mine was a piece of thin plastic I cut from an automotive mud-flap. I cut the piece to fit the dimension of the puck and cut a hole in it for the locking cam to go through. I then siliconed that piece to the bottom of the base and reinstalled the hitch in the truck. No more slop...solid as a rock.
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wittmeba
Roanoke, Va
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Joined: 02/02/2001
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I also have a Reese. The hitches have to have some slop just by design. They are held in the rail with pins that just push in/pull out - so that alone will require slop.
I have taken some thin hard rubber (dont recall what it was from) and made large rubber washers the they did help. The problem was there really isnt as much slop as you think and trying to find something that would compress to allow the pins to be inserted was a problem.
Possible Solution:
I tried to trim a piece of tire but couldnt get it thin enough. If you have something like an old inner tube from a bicycle or vehicle tire cut it into 2" squares (I think a mud flap would be too thick for mine but a good idea).
Fold it in half and cut thru the folded side to make a slot about 3/8" wide and 1/2" deep for the piece that drops into the rails where the pin is inserted. Lift the hitch and put them between the legs and rails. If it wont compress, put them in before hitching and see if the trailer will make them compress enought to install the pins.
Bruce & Carolyn Wittmeier
Viet Nam Vet 1968-69
I was born in Great Falls, Mt. My parents moved when I was 5.
I found them when I was 10 - they were in California.
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woodsmitch
Sedro Woolley,Washington,USA
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Joined: 12/04/2003
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I had this problem with a 16k Reese hitch. The shop that I dealed with said to lossen the bolts holding it down just slightly and using a large hammer, adjust the rails wider (or closer together) and retighten. It worked and never got sloppy again for the 2 years that I had the hitch.
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lynndiwagon
Yukon, Oklahoma, USA
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Joined: 01/28/2004
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I have the 16K Reese and have noticed that if you adjust the brake unit so that the trailer stops a little harder then the vehicle you will not have the clunk when accelerating. It is slightly irritating but I don't think it is dangerous or anything.
Lynn & Diana Wagoner
One Shih Tszu
Two Boston Terriers
2005 Chevy 2500HD D/A
2006 HHII 29.5LKTG
Retired Gov't employee
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