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TenOC's avatar
TenOC
Nomad
Aug 12, 2023

2014 3100RL Montana with a Demco Autoslide hitch Problems

We have a 2014 3100RL Montana with Mor/ride RPB72-1116 King pin with a Demco Autoslide 18K 5th wheel hitch. We like the hitch EXCEPT for one problem that exist since we had the trailer.


About 50 to 75% of the time when we hookup the king pin is not fully seated. The safety pin will not lock in place. The hole for the safety pin is off by about 1/16 to 1/32 of a inch. We need to drive forward and back a few times to rock the trailer until the king pin is fully seated so we can insert the safety pin.


We have tried different heights of the trailer when we back into the hitch with no joy. We do no know why sometimes it works and other times it does not.


Any other people have this problem? We have talked to Demco with no solution. All suggestions are welcome.
  • CarnationSailor's avatar
    CarnationSailor
    Nomad
    Aug 13, 2023
    I have had the same setup as JKJavelin and I always try to have the pinbox about 1/4 inch ABOVE the hitch's saddle, and have found this to work best. The pinbox will then contact the saddle about 1/3 of the way from back to front. It will still ride up the saddle somewhat, but with less friction.

    Demco says when hitching and unhitching, the center line of the pin box needs to be parallel with the center line of the hitch saddle to within 5 degrees. Otherwise the capture plate will prevent full engagement.
  • JKJavelin's avatar
    JKJavelin
    Explorer III
    Aug 12, 2023
    I have that hitch together with the Trailair AirRide pinbox. One thing that Demco says is to hitch up with the pinbox slightly lower than the hitch's saddle and let the pinbox ride up onto the hitch as you back up. Never any problem.
    As far as the safety pin goes, yes when the jaws snap closed, I usually have to pull the handle back out maybe 1/16" for the pin holes to line up. The jaws remain fully closed. I have 65,000 miles with this hitch with probably over 200 hitching and unhitching cycles.
    JK

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