Fifth wheel rebuild

All 5th wheel manufacturer service information is available online via direct at the manufacturer website free of charge.

Best advise I can give.......steam clean and degrease before starting. When you think its clean enough......do it again. And you'll still get greasy, nasty job. Depending on the mount type getting the pivot pins out is the biggest challenge. Once pins are out, flip it over on a pallet on the framrails.

 

I swapped one on my first Truck. The sliders were rusted together. All things considered. Rebuilding seem easier ( and cheaper ) that having to haul a new one around. That was a tough 1 man job. Lol. Holland’s website on rebuilding seems a lot simpler than all the others. I think I can I think I can! Thanks

 

As a shop told me after I pulled it apart after I adjusted and greased it . they said you opened it up? I said yes they told me we want nothing to do with it. Spent 1k on a new Holland put it on myself

 

Liability, I understand. But looking at Holland’s instructions and the few parts involved. It looks like a simple and fool proof design. I just think the rebuil kit should be cheaper than $550

 

For liability, we replace the whole unit. Rebuilding is the a thing of the past. That way the whole unit is under warranty and if something goes wrong and someone gets killed, it isn't the rebuilders fault.

 

Couple things i like..brand new 5th wheel when mine acts up, and virgin rubber on my truck ( no dang recaps). But thats just my way..not the only way.

 

I agree with all that, but after researching fifth wheels. My Holland is such a simple design, almost ingenious. Basically the fork gets worn out.The kit is a new fork and some springs. Jost was a little more complicated,Fontaine, forget it too many parts.

 

I’ve “rebuilt” (or actually re-jawed) the Holland FW-36 more than a few times, when the adjusting nut is backed out and she still doesn’t hold it tight. The jaws will get it back to holding a just before wore out king-pin just fine. It won’t be like new,but you won’t notice a difference on a maintained trailer, but if a trailer isn’t maintained, a new 5th wheel won’t fix it either.

You’ll get about 2/3rds the life out of a re-Jawed 5th wheel as you would with a new. They are easy to do your self ( and air hammer helps a lot). And the cost with “your labor” is considerably less.

If adjusting the nut out isn’t holding it anymore, and you’ve greased the top plate religiously, replace the jaws and save some money.

 

I have a Simplex, now owned by Holland. It was sloppy and rebuild kit was over $500, a new unit was around $900...I just replaced the whole thing.

 

I’m a little disappointed to find out I’ll only get 2/3 the life out of rebuild. Current one has over 2 mil . I’m easy on equipment, but it’s long overdue. Pin on trailer not damaged yet. Maybe plan b, find one off a low mileage wreck for the right price $400 or less.Im sticking with Holland either way. Thanks for all the input everyone.