5th wheel lube plate question

I have a patriot hitch and before I got the Reese Sidewinder king pin that doesn't allow the use of a lube plate, I had a 10" lube plate. I went with the size plate that was closest to the width of the king pin itself. In my case it was 12" wide so I went with the bigger plate. I would use whichever plate is closest to the width of your pin box.

Lay the plate on a flat hard surface and use s hammer to flatten the center area around the pin hole. That will make the hole smaller and fit tighter.

What BB TX said

Try BB_TX post 1st. If that doesn't work, go with what Rob said.

For the B&W get their plate as it’s 1/8” thick. The standard 1/4” may make it harder to unhitch.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
For the B&W get their plate as it’s 1/8” thick. The standard 1/4” may make it harder to unhitch.

Agree when using B&W with 1" jaws. The Patriot 3/4" jaws work just fine with the standard lube plate.

Jerry

MFL wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
For the B&W get their plate as it’s 1/8” thick. The standard 1/4” may make it harder to unhitch.

Agree when using B&W with 1" jaws. The Patriot 3/4" jaws work just fine with the standard lube plate.

Jerry

AWWWWW, it was worth getting out of bed today!!! I did not know that.

MFL wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
For the B&W get their plate as it’s 1/8” thick. The standard 1/4” may make it harder to unhitch.

Agree when using B&W with 1" jaws. The Patriot 3/4" jaws work just fine with the standard lube plate.

Jerry

You made me go measure mine. I have the Companion with 1" jaws and a 3/16" lube plate. I just got whatever the dealer had hanging on his display rack, so I have no idea what brand it is. When I am hooked up I would have plenty of room for a 1/4" plate.

I know because I look at it several times when I am hitching up. ;)

dieseltruckdriver wrote:

MFL wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
For the B&W get their plate as it’s 1/8” thick. The standard 1/4” may make it harder to unhitch.

Agree when using B&W with 1" jaws. The Patriot 3/4" jaws work just fine with the standard lube plate.

Jerry

You made me go measure mine. I have the Companion with 1" jaws and a 3/16" lube plate. I just got whatever the dealer had hanging on his display rack, so I have no idea what brand it is. When I am hooked up I would have plenty of room for a 1/4" plate.

I know because I look at it several times when I am hitching up. ;)

Ahh, another look test guy. :) I have to think that some pins may have a little more use able clearance than others, and with truck/trailer tilted, even a bit, could cause an issue. My neighbor with an older HitchHiker, but new Companion, had trouble all the time, and finally just left the lube plate out. I suggested the thinner one Ron mentioned, but he just sprayed grease on it.

Jerry

OP Here,

I ordered a graphite lube plate directly from B & W.

Graphite Lube Plate

This way I know that I have the right lube plate for my hitch.

Thanks again for all your help

Dave