Forum Discussion

skinnyme's avatar
skinnyme
Explorer
Jun 19, 2020

fore and aft movement

I have a new grand design 5th wheel. hooked up to a new Curt a-16 hitch. this is my 1st 5th wheel. I have about 3/16" to 1/4" travel (play) fore and aft when stopping and starting. Going down the road everything feels fine. But starting and stopping feels like there is too much (play ) between the king pin and the hitch . Is this normal? thank you.
I do not use the Turning Point feature on the pin box.
  • jkwilson's avatar
    jkwilson
    Explorer III
    Jun 19, 2020
    Where is the play? King pin, hitch mounting, hitch internals or the pin box on the trailer can all give you some play.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jun 19, 2020
    That is not normal, but some hitches are better than others, as to fit/slop, and ease of operation. Try to see where the loose fit is. Have a competent person move rig ahead/back, while you watch.

    Jerry
  • skinnyme's avatar
    skinnyme
    Explorer
    Jun 19, 2020
    The play seems to be where the jaws of the hitch wrap around the king pin. I watched as my wife puled the truck forward and back. I could see the pin box/kingpin moving about 3/16" as it slid across the hitch.
    "Curt" said there is some play "built in". They sent me a video on it.
    The amount of play seems excessive to me. My hitch seemed to have about the same amount of play as the one in the video.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jun 19, 2020
    Hard to replace an already new hitch, but if selling dealer would take it back, a B&W Patriot would be a good replacement. They fit good, are quiet, and very user friendly.

    Jerry
  • 8ntw8tn's avatar
    8ntw8tn
    Explorer
    Jun 20, 2020
    MFL wrote:
    Hard to replace an already new hitch, but if selling dealer would take it back, a B&W Patriot would be a good replacement. They fit good, are quiet, and very user friendly.

    Jerry


    Amen to that. After several years of drooling over one I finally got a B&W Patriot. Nice snug fit on the king pin and it really reduces the "chucking" on rough roads.
  • ford_truck_guy's avatar
    ford_truck_guy
    Nomad
    Jun 20, 2020
    I had the super glide and liked it.... got a long bed and jumped into a B&W, have 1 tow with it and absolutely love the feel.... much better than the Superglide...
  • 12th_Man_Fan's avatar
    12th_Man_Fan
    Explorer
    Jun 20, 2020
    If you keep the Curt you can adjust your trailer brakes to brake a little ahead of the truck. This will keep the king pin in the back of the jaws.

    I have a Curt and that is what I did and it works for me but I don't think I had quite that much play in mine but I could feel it bumping when I stopped and started.
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Jun 20, 2020
    12th Man Fan wrote:
    If you keep the Curt you can adjust your trailer brakes to brake a little ahead of the truck. This will keep the king pin in the back of the jaws.

    I have a Curt and that is what I did and it works for me but I don't think I had quite that much play in mine but I could feel it bumping when I stopped and started.


    Band Aid!!!
  • 12th_Man_Fan's avatar
    12th_Man_Fan
    Explorer
    Jun 20, 2020
    Me Again wrote:
    12th Man Fan wrote:
    If you keep the Curt you can adjust your trailer brakes to brake a little ahead of the truck. This will keep the king pin in the back of the jaws.

    I have a Curt and that is what I did and it works for me but I don't think I had quite that much play in mine but I could feel it bumping when I stopped and started.


    Band Aid!!!


    It is not broke and it is not dangerous just a little annoying from time to time.

    If he can get his money back fine, If not it is not really a problem Curt is a very good hitch.

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