Unhooking 5th wheel

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by Midwestgirl

So...by now the guys fully understand I'm a novice with a 5th wheel. No worries, I will learn to manage the rig fine! If I get a lube plate where do I put it? Under the pin? Or is this installed by a tech? How often should I replace it? What's the general consensus on lube plates verses greasing? I'm willing to try anything that makes this process easier for me. Thank you.

My vote is for a Lube Plate. Here is a amazon link for one:
Amazon.com: Reese Towpower 83001 Signature Series Fifth Wheel Lube Plate: Automotive

If you want to continue to use grease, I have a can of ball grease and a can of lithium grease I will be happy to send you

As to frequency of replacement...no Idea (bet OC knows!) Looking at ours though I would guess a annual - maybe semi-annual task. If you want to call it that - the plate just pops on the kingpin and self seats the first time you hitch up! Could'nt be easier and NO greasy mess!

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

...As to frequency of replacement...no Idea (bet OC knows!) Looking at ours though I would guess a annual - maybe semi-annual task. If you want to call it that - the plate just pops on the kingpin and self seats the first time you hitch up! Could'nt be easier and NO greasy mess!

Have no idea, I activated the Reese Revolution hitch and don't need or use one. The pin does not swivel on the hitch, the trailer swivels 22" back on the stationary pin box.

[btritschler1437]

I have a Hijacker auto slide. I put chocks behind the trailer wheels, backup, put on the emergency brake, shift to park. Now no pressure on the pin, release handle slides and turns easily, put landing legs down, disconnect and pull away. Before this technique I had a heck of a time unhooking the trailer.

[Hoo Dad]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

Looking at ours though I would guess a annual - maybe semi-annual task.

Interesting. I've had my original lube plate on since January 2011 (almost 3 years and approximately 17,000 miles). I notice almost no wear. There are probably a lot of variables as to how long it will last.

[Lloydg]

Originally Posted by jbrostek

Lubing the jaw mechanism is a must to keep smooth operation. I have a pullright and they recommend WD40 for the parts. I used a product called HHS, it sprays on like WD40 and gels up. Creates a nice long lasting barrier.

X2 It's probably best to review the manufacture's recommendation for the hitch you have. For my Reese 18K Elite slider hitch, the recommendation is to use white lithium grease.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by Hoo Dad

Interesting. I've had my original lube plate on since January 2011 (almost 3 years and approximately 17,000 miles). I notice almost no wear. There are probably a lot of variables as to how long it will last.

as a scientist I LOVE empirical data! Thanks for the observation!

Ours is brand new and I was just making conjecture (read a SWAG

[dezolen]

5 years wear on my lube plate and no signs of any wear at all. Would not consider any other method period. Sounds like you were lifting trailer too high off the plate. As others mentioned raise front just till you see daylight.

Be sure to get the proper diameter for your hitch as my Reese signature series required a 10" diameter and there are smaller ones available

[Midwestgirl]

An update: I moved our 5th wheel last Friday to another campground and followed
each step carefully without any problem. All went smooth! My error with unhooking was raising too high. thank you everyone!

[golfmedik]

And now starts to where you can give other people friendly advice that has been "your experience"!! Nice job!

[sail2liv]

Still using the used lube plate old coot gave me a couple of years ago....so for me is the only way to go.....but I do keep a thin coat of grease on the pin where it contacts the jaws of the hitch....also a thin coat on the jaws where the pin contacts them when hooking up.....but the hitch is covered by the bed cover so no big amounts of dirt coming in contact with grease.....good luck with your new adventure.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by Midwestgirl

An update: I moved our 5th wheel last Friday to another campground and followed
each step carefully without any problem. All went smooth! My error with unhooking was raising too high. thank you everyone!

You go Girl! I knew you would do it like a Boss once you got the hang of it...now it's your turn to be the experienced old hand when you see someone struggling with a 5er hitch at a campground

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by sail2liv

Still using the used lube plate old coot gave me a couple of years ago....so for me is the only way to go.....but I do keep a thin coat of grease on the pin where it contacts the jaws of the hitch....also a thin coat on the jaws where the pin contacts them when hooking up.....but the hitch is covered by the bed cover so no big amounts of dirt coming in contact with grease.....good luck with your new adventure.

That lube plate had been used for a grand total of about 40 miles tops. They put a slider hitch in which I didn't like and was replaced by a regular hitch and they activated the Reese Revolution.

[B47]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

That lube plate had been used for a grand total of about 40 miles tops. They put a slider hitch in which I didn't like and was replaced by a regular hitch and they activated the Reese Revolution.

Well OC - are you all settled in at your snowbird place? Glad you guys made it safe and sound. Various place of the country are having bad weather, so maybe you got to Florida at the right time.

Need to see pics

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by B47

Well OC - are you all settled in at your snowbird place? Glad you guys made it safe and sound. Various place of the country are having bad weather, so maybe you got to Florida at the right time.

Need to see pics

This is site E82 where we are at Thousand Trails Orlando.

[B47]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

This is site E82 where we are at Thousand Trails Orlando.

Looking good - 78 and sunny here today, but a forecast of 38 high and 27 low tomorrow with some sleet on Friday.

[iceblaze580]

Thousand trails Orlando looks nice I wish all thousand trails were kept to that standard

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by iceblaze580

Thousand trails Orlando looks nice I wish all thousand trails were kept to that standard

We have found it's about 50-50 with nice kept to just rundown/just about trashy. Hershey is nice, as is Orlando, Peace River is just run of the mill average, our home park we no longer use, Forest Lake is rundown and borderline trashy.

[iceblaze580]

Morgan hill in California has turned in to a dump in the past year

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

This is site E82 where we are at Thousand Trails Orlando.

Hey OC, great pics -- I'm wondering what screen material do you have off of the support wires for your awesome stabilizers that looks like a great mod too :-)

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

Hey OC, great pics -- I'm wondering what screen material do you have off of the support wires for your awesome stabilizers that looks like a great mod too :-)

Regular sunscreen we got it and the end panels not shown at Beasley Mfg in Center Hill, FL which is about 45 miles from where we are. Super nice guy and he custom makes them to your dimensions. I think we have about $200 in the 2 end screens, the main screen and material for a table cloth and bench seats.