5th wheel adjustment

I am not sure about that. When I did that it was on a Simplex. The adjustment bolt raises up out of the top of the plate to turn. That was hell to pay. Never put myself in that situation trying to get a little extra again. I always adjust to a new pin. It is what it is.

 

You guys have some HUGE cojanes messing with your 5th wheel.

I might if a pro showed me exactly what to do, but how often do you need to?

Is it that much money saved?

 

I’ve rebuilt a few. Other than them being heavy to remove and flip over and extra greasy to clean it really is no different then slapping on new brake shoes. Holland designed theirs to last and to be rebuilt and adjusted by cavemen. I’ve seen 70 year old Holland FW series that are still in great shape and the new rebuild kits fit right in. Replacement jaws are cast a little different but fit. The ramped ears and the throat on the “antique” ones are longer but everything else is the same.

 

My choices are a kit for $550, a rebuilt for $650, or a brand new for $850. I decided to just get the new one, put it on myself. I changed one on my first Truck, along with new sliding risers. The trick for me, is loading high enough in the p/u, to avoid having to lift it. Being able to slide it on, using plywood and 2X4s. I think I’ll need to use my hand winch, this time.

 

A car engine hoist works sometimes too. The first one I did years ago was a pain. I pulled the hinge pins that had been in for decades. After that 1/2 a day adventure I flapped, flipped, and cussed the plate over on a piece of plywood on the rear of the frame and worked on it there. I had no shop space open at that time so I was out in the sun too.
I have since then purchased a cheap old leaky forklift to help me out.

 

The kits used to be 1/4 of the cost of new one. A friend of ours had a handful on a shelf he bought for his trucks back in the late 90’s. I think they were around $200 each back then.
If a rebuilt is only $650 then they are charging $100 for 1/2 hr labor on a $550 kit? Once you get the plate off it only really takes 1/2 hr to put the kit in.
Is there a core on a rebuilt? I’ve never inquired.
Funny how the cost of a new one really hasn’t changed much in 50 years. That’s why rebuilding them in the past was a win. They could be rebuilt 3 times for the price of 1 new one.

 

A cherry picker would be best. I should just get one, I’ve got an old Chrysler, I need to yank the drivetrain from, and junk. I paid $1100, 20 yrs ago, for a new one mounted on the bracket assembly, about $1600 now. Definitely a core deposit, on rebuilt. I’ve heard some say the rebuild kits don’t always last very long. I just like the idea of a new one. Aluminum with Teflon plate for $2000, would be nice. But no need to get carried away.

 

Valley Truck Parts, Warren Mi. It may have been $895, and may have been on sale. I saw a similar price at Stoops Freightliner also a while back. Could have been a Holland promotion at the time.

 

I was quoted $1200 for a top plate rebuild. I think I'll just figure it out myself when the time comes. It's like 3 parts in there, just messy.