Lose 5th wheel

Yeah, I've a simplex that has a pop up adjustable nut on it. It has been my experience that it is easier and simpler to change the whole fifth wheel rather than hire someone to do a rebuild kit. Much safer too. Don't want that trailer falling off. :eek3:

 

There are aftermarket parts for Jost and GF (now called SAF-Holland). Fontane parts are more expencive and I switched to used Jost. Many fontane wheels are not ajustable

 

i have an older fontaine 2 no slack i dont think it has adjustment on it.

 

Loose old no slack - you can change some parts, kit cost about $200, if plate is not worn. I really do not like old No Slack becouse of limited rebuild abilities. Imo - the best to have is Jost JSK37. Really all the parts are available genue and other brands and it is amazing of good quality.

http://www.jost-world.com/workflow/pdfanleitungen/REP/JSK37_Rep_OST_06_2007.pdf

JSK 37 rebuild kit

 

I wouldn't trust someone else to rebuild my fifth wheel. That's something I'd want to be sure was done right. I'd do it myself. Ain't hard. Just heavy. I used two 8' long 2x4s to slide mine down to the ground.

 

You can get a Jost top plate for about 650.00 ish. Well made top plates.

 

My Jost has an adjusting bolt and nut on the passenger side, loosen the jam nut and tighten it up, mine is very touchy a half turn and it would not lock.1/4 turn took almost all the slop out but mine wasn't moving 2".I pull a smooth bore tank and it feels like its moving 2 feet sometimes, but in reality it only moves about 1/2".When it gets loose enough that I have to push back against the pin to unlock it I'll tighten it up a 1/4 of a turn and I'm good for a couple of more months,between all the slopping around and dropping and hooking I do it doesn't take long to loosen back up.

 

for 2" kingpin

On the side of the Jost 37c you will see the long adjustment bolt,
1)loosen the lock nut.
2)remove the bolt , clean it , apply little grease.
3)open 5th wheel and connect trailer
4)make sure trailer is 100% hooked in place. (push truck backward against trailer firmly)
5)replace and tighten bolt by hand.
6)when you cant turn it by hand anymore it should have reached the lock jaw.
7)tighten extra 1 1/2 (540degr) turn with spanner.
8)lock the lock nut again.
now the clearance is set to spec.

NB: tightening the bolt increase the clearance.

 

I have never heard of anyone, before now, replacing a whole 5th wheel due to it needing adjustment.
They are pretty much all adjustable anymore, and it normally takes longer to get cleaned up than it does to either turn the bolt, or pop up the adjusting bolt and turn it to the next notch.
I have adjusted mine myself over the past 20+yrs and have yet to have a single issue with any of them.
Talk about a throw away culture.....No wonder we get parts swappers in most shops and not actual mechanics.

Martin