I have a problem with my 5th wheel hitch rail bowing in the middle when using my slider. Has anyone else had this problem and if so what can you do to prevent this from happening. Here are a couple of pics to show the problem.

txbassmn wrote:I have a problem with my 5th wheel hitch rail bowing in the middle when using my slider. Has anyone else had this problem and if so what can you do to prevent this from happening. Here are a couple of pics to show the problem.Yes, I had the problem, I installed bolts in the middle of the rails. 4 total one on each side on both rails. I also quit using the slider with the fifth wheel hooked up. I only need it to back into my RV pad, its a tight turn. I unhook slide it back ,and hook back up.

I have to assume its hitting pretty hard when you slide back hooked up, that is an issue at times when trying to slide back, and it will bend those rails with no bolts in the center.I wouldn't try bolting them down to straighten, take them off to straighten ,and then reinstall ,drill holes ,and add the center bolts.

I do have center bolts but they aren't attached to anything but the bed and was pulling the bed floor up also.

txbassmn wrote:I do have center bolts but they aren't attached to anything but the bed and was pulling the bed floor up also.Wow!! Is it from sliding the hitch back and hitting hard ??? Thats what bent mine, but I had no center bolts. I added the bolts ,but quit sliding it back when hooked up.

Boy , that would really concern me. I think I would try to get to a good hitch shop and let them have a look. Is it just the photo or are the slide rails bent also? IMHO I don't think I would trust those rails again,even if you straighten them out{weakens the metal}. Please let us know what you find out.

5th wheel hitch rail problem | Good Sam Community

Tennessee_Nomad
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
A good machine shop should be able to fabricate some kind of reinforcement under the bed of your truck to bolt up to.
psford
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
Sturgeon-Phish wrote:
Something seems seriously wrong if the hitch is bending regardless if sliding or towing a camper that is within the capacity of the hitch.
As far as more bolts, if they are only going through the bed and not frame or other structural material I’d say you are wasting your time as the bed deck is only sheet metal at best.
Were the hitches installed properly?

You hit the end of the that slider hard enough with 10-13K when sliding back I can guarantee you it will bend, I know I did it, and never had an issue with it bending while towing.

I agree he needs some backing for the middle bolts.
psford
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
txbassmn wrote:
I believe it is from sliding the hitch back and forth, not driving with it. My wife has been standing back at the bed when I was siding the hitch and saw it pull back on the rails.

You hit them hard enough sliding the hitch back they are going to bend. I would get them straightened, and either stiffen them with plate as suggested ,or if there is room stiffen them with an angle underneath, and replace with new bolts. also I would refrain from sliding the hitch back when hooked up unless you do it gently, and keep the rollers ,and tube lubed up a bit with some dry lube to help with it sliding more freely.
Garry_Gayle
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
I had problems with the rails bending down in the center so I got some 3/8" plate steel cut to the same size as the rails and sandwiched them together, attach them in the center with bolts thru the 2 pieces and use longer bolts to attached to the under-bed frame bracket using grade 8 Bolts, Locknuts, not Nylocks
Sturgeon-Phish
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
Something seems seriously wrong if the hitch is bending regardless if sliding or towing a camper that is within the capacity of the hitch.
As far as more bolts, if they are only going through the bed and not frame or other structural material I’d say you are wasting your time as the bed deck is only sheet metal at best.
Were the hitches installed properly?
txbassmn
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
I believe it is from sliding the hitch back and forth, not driving with it. My wife has been standing back at the bed when I was siding the hitch and saw it pull back on the rails.
psford
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
It would be nice to hear from the OP on how it got bent. Was it from towing or sliding it back .
psford
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
johntank wrote:
I would take it to a good welding shop and let them straighten the rail out and then put a piece of angle iron the same length as the rail under the bed to reinforce it using the center bolts closer to the hitch legs.

one of these is a double post

I bent my front one it was not from towing, I went to slide it back ,and apparently it hung up a bit, then let loose hitting the end very hard, and bowed the rail. I took it off straightened it, and put it back on ,and added the center bolts. I never slid the hitch back after that.

The crappy part was at the time I installed my rails they didn't even come with center bolts nor showed them installed. I don't know how much later they did start suppling the center bolts ,and putting them in.

Bracing underneath would certainly help, but I just wouldn't slide the hitch back when hooked up. If its bending from towing then he has more of an issue then slamming back the hitch when hooked. I towed for a few years before I bent mine ,and had no issues with it towing, and that was without center bolts. Friend of mine has the same rails without center bolts, and installed about the same time as mine, and he has had no rail problems.
johntank
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
deleted my johntank
johntank
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
johntank wrote:
I would take it to a good welding shop and let them straighten the rail out and then put a piece of angle iron the same length as the rail under the bed to reinforce it using the center bolts closer to the hitch legs/runners for slider.