Reese 16k 5th Wheel Hitch

[sor126]

Hi All,

New to the 5th Wheel this may be normal but on our Reese 16k hitch the jaws when closed have about a half inch gap is that normal?

[TURBS]

1/2 around pin when locked in jaws ?
If so yes thats normal there has to be some play .

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by sor126

Hi All,

New to the 5th Wheel this may be normal but on our Reese 16k hitch the jaws when closed have about a half inch gap is that normal?

How are you measuring the gap? Front to back, side to side, all around? Sounds a little much. Will check mine tomorrow, I have the same hitch.

[sor126]

If you are at the tailgate and shine a flashlight into the area where the kingpin meets the jaws the jaws at the rear of the bed have a gap. Checked it today with out the 5th wheel connected and it is the same. With 5th wheel connected I am able to push over the safety latch and pull no problems just want to make sure this is right before we make our 2000 mile August trip

[sor126]

Side to Side looking from the back of the truck

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by sor126

If you are at the tailgate and shine a flashlight into the area where the kingpin meets the jaws the jaws at the rear of the bed have a gap. Checked it today with out the 5th wheel connected and it is the same. With 5th wheel connected I am able to push over the safety latch and pull no problems just want to make sure this is right before we make our 2000 mile August trip

If you have a vernier caliper, measure the kingpin and then the latched hitch. If you don't have a vernier, two straight pcs of wood, one on each side of the pin and measure the distance at the front and back, moving the blocks until you get the same measurement at the front & back and that is the dia. of the pin. Then measure the dia of the latched hitch. I seriously doubt you have a 1/2" difference in the measurements. Maybe 1/8" max., but that's just a guess until I measure mine.

[sor126]

just went out and it is 1/4 inch with the rig not hooked up

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by sor126

just went out and it is 1/4 inch with the rig not hooked up

Will check mine tomorrow and will see if it can be adjusted. Because mine doesn't have any start or stop banging, I can only assume(there's that word again) it is less than 1/4". I had banging on the hitch legs until I made 0.075 thk steel shims for them.

[funkyJunk]

If you are talking about where the two jaws come together around the pin than that is normal. I had the same hitch and there was always a 1/4 inch gap. Always bothered me but was told it was normal and never had a problem.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by sor126

just went out and it is 1/4 inch with the rig not hooked up

Did you measure the dia of the hitch hole diameter or the gap between the jaws at the back?

[sor126]

the gap between the jaws

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by sor126

the gap between the jaws

That gap is normal. If there is slop in the fit of the jaws and the pin dia. that is what you should measure if you think it is excessive. BTW, I didn't get around to measuring mine. Will try to do it tomorrow. Sorry about that.

[mikey]

Reese & DrawTite have the same issues (Junk in my humble opinion) Owned the Reese 16K with old 5er then solved my issues with a Curt Mfg 20K. Less money up front, better hitch-up & less chucking.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by mikey

Reese & DrawTite have the same issues (Junk in my humble opinion) Owned the Reese 16K with old 5er then solved my issues with a Curt Mfg 20K. Less money up front, better hitch-up & less chucking.

Have the Reese 16k and just got back from camping and the DW said out of the clear, "This sure does seem like the trailer tows much better than the tt did. No noise, no bouncing, banging or anything." I have to agree with her, it is a pleasure towing the 5er with the Reese Revolution Sidewinder and the Reese 16K non-slider.

Don't know what issues you had, but don't think either Reese or DrawTite are junk.

I do know that adding shocks eliminated the porpoising/dolphining completely. The trailer follows the contours of the road and does not exagerate or continue bouncing like it did without the shocks.

[whj77372]

I also have the Reese 16k and no problems, no chucking, none. There is a gap of about 1/4 " looking from back of truck to jaws. I was told that is normal and there must be play for movement.

2012 V-Cross 275
2011 F250, CC, diesel, longbed, RWD