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Old 10-02-2016, 01:25 PM   #1
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5th Wheel connection

Can anyone tell me the torque specification of all the bolts at the King Pin area. This past Friday coming home from Pigeon Forge, Tn somewhere between Ashville NC and Greensboro NC on a newly looking bridge in the fast lane running around 65mph traffic bumper to bumper I notices a rise in the bridge platform. Tall enough that I said holy Sh*t. I could not react but hold on for dear life. the back wheels came off the ground. I know something had to have broken. Then I had to fight for another 10 miles just to get off the road to inspect. I had drawers in floor, golf cart move out of position and that's with it strapped down and secured, I had a mess. I didn't know who to call or report it to. I'm going to notify insurance tomorrow to have something on record. But anyway I was inspecting the area of the King Pin and I noticed the overall bracket moved about a 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch. So I feel like I need to retorque the bolts. Does anyone know how much. OR, should I be doing something else as far as structural damage. I don't see anything noticeable to the naked eye. But I'm listening if someone has something to say.
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Old 10-02-2016, 01:49 PM   #2
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Take a picture, measure across the flats of the bolt and note how many slash marks are on the head. If none, it is type 2, 3 it is type 5, 6 it is type 8. Head size will determine bolt size. 3/4" will be 1/2" 15/16" will be 5/8".
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Old 10-02-2016, 05:56 PM   #3
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King Pin Frame Pictures

Three hash marks on bolts.



Thanks for your help.


Tim Coltrain
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Old 10-03-2016, 11:57 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Coltrain View Post
Three hash marks on bolts.



Thanks for your help.


Tim Coltrain
They are Grade 5, and most of them are torqued to 150ft-lb. . Check to see if you get any movement when you set the 5er on the hitch. You're looking to see if any or how much flex you have in front frame section. On 5ers this is a suspect area. I think Lippert has strengthen this area, but not sure. I had a similar situation on my Heartland and noticed a crack in the gel coat down next to the storage door. I've since made a permanent home of it due to frame flex. The early Heartland heavy units had some of these issues. Good luck and sorry about that.
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Old 10-13-2016, 07:21 PM   #5
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Torque Specification

Update: I took the 2" x 5/8" Grade 5 Bolts out. It had a total of 10 with two holes left without bolts. 6 Out of 10 were at 80# the others at 150#. And thats only three camping trips on the road. Surely they hadn't loosened that much. Anyway Since the incident with the ramp in the road I took all bolts out let it drop back to its normal position. I went back with Grade 8 bolts and put two additional bolts in the missing slots. I have torque all down to 150#. I bought Grade 8 Bolts, Grade 8 washers, and Grade 8 nuts. I put anitseize on all bolts. Now lets see how long this holds up now. All looks good now.
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Old 10-16-2016, 10:06 PM   #6
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Torque values are for dry bolts. If you use anti seize compound you must reduce torque by 30%., I personally would start over and replace them all to be safe.
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