Fifth wheel slider

UPDATE: This weekend I dropped the landing gear and took some weight off of the hitch. It slid back easyly. Next time out I'll try to get it to slide without dropping the gear.

-BC-

mark5w wrote:
Always an issue to slide without taking weight off. Poor design. Would never buy another one. Got a Pullrite and what a difference.
It was worth it to get rid of the Reese and change to a Pullrite (or whatever other self sliding hitch you want.)

X2 on the superglide

Always an issue to slide without taking weight off. Poor design. Would never buy another one. Got a Pullrite and what a difference.
It was worth it to get rid of the Reese and change to a Pullrite (or whatever other self sliding hitch you want.)

Buckeye Chuck wrote:
I have the Reese 16K manual slider. My problem is that the slider will not slide back when hooked up to the RV. It will slide easily when not hooked up. The service manager of my dealer says that Reese recommends dropping the landing gear and take some weight off the hitch (my pin weight is a little over 2K pounds) when want it to slide to the maneuvering position. It seams like a lot of hassle to have to do this every time I want to use the hitch slide. Has anyone else had to do this?

Reading the operating manual, it does say to take the weight off the hitch before sliding it back. I have done it both ways, the thing is if it hangs up, and then comes loose it hits pretty hard. Which ever way you do it do as said before keep it greased up well, and take it slow.

Buckeye Chuck wrote:
Did I mention that it will slide with no weight just by pulling in it by hand?

Mine would too, but the rollers were just sliding over the well greased rail.

I'm going to drop the gear and take weight off the hitch and attempt to get it to slide. I'll have my wife watch the rollers to see if they roll or not. I have a feeling that the rear most rollers are not working. I didn't see them roll when the hitch was pulled manually at the dealer. Did I mention that it will slide with no weight just by pulling in it by hand?

I have a '97 Reese 16K manual slider. When new it wouldn't slide without taking weight of the hitch. I had it gunked up with white spray on grease.

I disassembled it completely and cleaned it up. Then sprayed the square tubes and rollers with a dry spray lube several times. Worked like a hot knife through butter. I spray wash the hitch in the spring and use lots of dry spray 2-3 times a summer. The hitch still slides easily without using the landing gears.
I stopped using the white spray grease as it attracted grit/dirt/wood chips/etc.

Atom Ant wrote:
Try wd40. That lithium grease probably cant get on there if the rollers aren't turning.

X2 on the WD40. I suggest carrying some in the trailer or tow vehicle (anywhere it will not get too hot) and giving everything a good spray if it hangs up. Sometimes the rollers can get in a bit of a bind if one is free and the other hangs up, but once it is free, it will slide very easily. At least for a while after a good spray.

I had the same Reese you have. I tried everything in regard to lubeing the rails and never could get it to slide back if I didn't drop the landing gear. PITA.

x2

But only had to use it once in 10 years.

Try wd40. That lithium grease probably cant get on there if the rollers aren't turning.