5th wheel adjustment

It’s such a simple design. Compared to the others.

 

On the money saved thing you are right, I'm sure it wouldn't cost much to stop by a shop and have them adjust the fifth wheel. For me it's about the time, going to the shop, waiting for someone to perform the job. For me that's why I learn to do everything myself so I don't have to work around someone else's schedule.

But anyway, I adjusted my fifth wheel last night, was gonna do a video on it but didn't remember till I was pretty much done. It's stupid easy to do. My trailer has an extremely shallow pin depth so the adjuster nut is completely accessable with trailer hooked up. I just set the trailer brakes and backed the truck up tight to the pin in the fifth wheel. Set the tractor brakes and loosened the adjuster nut until the rubber washer was just a little loose and then tightened it back just a touch. Then I pulled the pin and uncoupled and re-hooked and checked the rubber washer again. All was good there so I gave it a good tug test and visual inspection and called it a day. 15 minute job.

 

The style with the adjustment bolt sticking out the front are incredibly simple... I wouldnt hesitate to adjust them. But niw days there are so many different styles that I have no idea how the internals function that I would be very cautious about messing with them until I could have one apart right infront of me to see how it all works.

 

5th wheel rebuilds in general are all a catch 22 on labor time to get off and get rebuilt. If you know the plate and know it comes off easy it might be a walk in the park.

But what about the one that takes 3 hours just to get the frozen pivot pins out? If you bid a conservative 4 hours on the job......well you have allready lost the battle, but your too deep to pull out.

New top plate with pivot kit is the safe bet if you dont wanna mess around and have money to be making. If you have time to tinker knock yourself out.

 

I thought about replying earlier but decided that would be beating a dead horse.This horse is still running so I will share some experience and thanking.
There is a go no go gauge for checking pins. I believe it is 1 7/8. This gauge is thin and I do not have one. I use an 1 7/8 open end wrench. If it slips on the pin your inspection has failed. The most wear is always front to back. Side to side is always better.
If you adjust your 5th wheel it a worn pin it puts extreme pressure on parts of the 5th wheel when you turn sharply.
We had a trailer in the shop and a driver came to get that truck. No problem, dropped it right there. When the wrench was finished with his job he went and got a different truck. I heard it coming and knew it had a lower 5th wheel. Went to stop him but I heard the slam and the 5th wheel latch before I got there. Handle was in, jaw was behind pin and I saw no air space above plate. OK
Trailer dropped off 40 feet out the door and was 1/3 loaded. Thankful that old steel tank was well made. Legs were a foot in the gravel.
Only adjust to a new pin. If you do not like the slop replace parts. Be safe out there.