DW and I traveled to Nashville to view the eclipse. We're here for 3 days. 1000 miles from home.There was a lot of creaking when I took up the load with the front jacks to unhook the 5th wheel. I got a flashlight and looked in every crevice on the 5er and the truck I could - no sign of broken welds or loose bolts.I'm going to drop the plastic around the kingpin to do a better inspection. If I have to get a weld, who do you recommend?There's a Camping World near Two Rivers campground here we're staying. Any good?Thanks.

CW is not a welding shop. They might be able to replace it for you, but do not take it to any RV shop for welding unless you personally know their welding skills. Take it to a welding shop. And then, from a liability standpoint, they may not want to weld on it. But, again, take it to a welding shop.Bill

Quick answer to your second question..... NO!!! However, right next door is Cullum-Maxie, they might be able to help. That CW used to be very good, But not anymore. Going there is really asking for trouble. BE warned by some local people. We don't even shop the store any more.

I'd be looking at the rear suspension for problems.

Find a phone book in the local area (rarity) and look up 'Certified Welding' and take it there. Kingpins need to be code welded because of the stress imposed. A certified welding shop can do that.

OP: I see under certified welding there's a place called Duck Welding that offers mobile welding.I'll stop at Cullum-Maxey and ask if they have a recommendation right after I drop my truck at the Chev dealer tomorrow morning because its check engine light is on.When I rains, it pours but hopefully not tomorrow because we're here for the eclipse. (forecast is hot and clear)

Welder in Nashville for kingpin repair? | Good Sam Community

hawkeye-08
Explorer III
Aug 23, 2017
If the noise returns and you can't find a source, consider mounting a gopro camera and recording that area. You should be able to hear the audio and see if anything is out of sorts..
joebedford
Nomad II
Aug 23, 2017
I did the truck hookup test with the skirting off. It didn't make any noise except for one pop on the third cycle. I didn't see anything flex or move.

That's good and bad. Good that it didn't do it and bad because I don't know why it did it before. Also bad because it was a lot of work in 95F high-humidity heat with no breeze. I'm too old etc.

So tomorrow we're going to start our 1000 mile journey home. Only going a little way to Bowling Green and the Corvette museum. I will be watching and listening very carefully and hopefully we won't get stuck on the side of the road instead of a nice campground where we are now.

Oh, I need to "take lessons" on how to do caulking without making a mess.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Aug 22, 2017
As a side note. After you think things are fixed try and find a place that will allow the fifth wheel to "tweak". A diagonal pull up a ramp would work. Strange noises are spooky. A long time ago on a fiver hitch we had to replace all the bolts and flat washers with grade eight and then use stover type distorted nuts and a torque wrench to stop hair raising squealing.
joebedford
Nomad II
Aug 21, 2017
I was very pleased. Despite technical problems with the RV the eclipse was worth it.

Here are a couple of shots I took in Nashville today.
hawkeye-08
Explorer III
Aug 21, 2017
Watching on TV, it appeared that the eclipse viewing in Nashville might have been spectacular. Hope you had a great view.
joebedford
Nomad II
Aug 21, 2017
I've been utterly unable to get any repair service to help me so I decided to pull off that 'skirting' around the pin box under the nose. What a mess.

Anyway, I looked very hard and the only thing I could find was a 6" long screw that holds the side of the RV to the frame - completely loose. I don't see how that could make the noise but who knows.

At least 50% screws that hold the trim in place that hold the skirt in place are rusty and broken. Off to Lowes for reassembly parts.

Before I put it back together, I'm going to get the truck back (soon I hope) and look and listen when I load the pin. It's also possible that the noise is coming up from the 5th hitch and radiating out of the pin box somehow.

Will let you know...
joebedford
Nomad II
Aug 21, 2017
I tried to pull the skirting last night. Unfortunately it overlaps the nosecone by at least 10" - no way to pull it out without cutting it. I'm trying to reach Neil at Road Ready Repair who was recommended by Cullem & Maxey.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Aug 21, 2017
There are actually 6 shops with I'm pretty sure (certified welders) in Nashville. Tome to pull the skirting and see what you have or have not and give them a call.
SaltiDawg
Explorer
Aug 20, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
Find a phone book in the local area (rarity) and look up 'Certified Welding' and take it there. Kingpins need to be code welded because of the stress imposed. A certified welding shop can do that.

Phone book?
Certified Welding Nashville

Chassi Welding Nashville
joebedford
Nomad II
Aug 20, 2017
Oh, and just for giggles, all straps on my Harley were loose - only the HF chock was holding it (successfully)!

We going to use the Harley to get around Nashville while the truck and trailer are repaired.

When I started it today, the top end hammered away like there was no oil. It calmed down but arghhhh!