5th wheel hitch rail problem

Learjet wrote:
change the rails to new ones

Probably wouldn't be a bad idea, but I straightened mine added the center bolts ,and never had another issue, but as I said , I quit sliding it back hooked up, knowing what caused it in the first place.

change the rails to new ones

looks to me that you need center bolts on the rails along with backing plates under the bed also you need to lube the rails and rollers they might be binding from all the rust causing it to pull on the front rail while sliding

psford wrote:

Me Again wrote:

tegu69 wrote:
I've never owned a sliding hitch, but just looking at those pictures, wow. Most of the weight is going on the front rail unless you are pulling. It looks like a fulcrum point that would put an upward pressure on the rear rail when hitching, or going down a road that would cause chucking, or even if you are braking and putting more brake to your tv than the brakes of your fw. It would be interesting to see a pic of the top of the rail under each roller.

I think you are looking at the picture wrong. It is the front rail that is pulled up! Chris

I bent the same rail, its easier then you would think, As I said its probably not from towing, it from sliding his hitch back to hard.

Yeah, I agree, I was looking at it backward and it makes sense that it was probably sliding back too hard. My bad.

Me Again wrote:

tegu69 wrote:
I've never owned a sliding hitch, but just looking at those pictures, wow. Most of the weight is going on the front rail unless you are pulling. It looks like a fulcrum point that would put an upward pressure on the rear rail when hitching, or going down a road that would cause chucking, or even if you are braking and putting more brake to your tv than the brakes of your fw. It would be interesting to see a pic of the top of the rail under each roller.

I think you are looking at the picture wrong. It is the front rail that is pulled up! Chris

I bent the same rail, its easier then you would think, As I said its probably not from towing, it from sliding his hitch back to hard.

tegu69 wrote:
I've never owned a sliding hitch, but just looking at those pictures, wow. Most of the weight is going on the front rail unless you are pulling. It looks like a fulcrum point that would put an upward pressure on the rear rail when hitching, or going down a road that would cause chucking, or even if you are braking and putting more brake to your tv than the brakes of your fw. It would be interesting to see a pic of the top of the rail under each roller.

I think you are looking at the picture wrong. It is the front rail that is pulled up! Chris

I've never owned a sliding hitch, but just looking at those pictures, wow. Most of the weight is going on the front rail unless you are pulling. It looks like a fulcrum point that would put an upward pressure on the rear rail when hitching, or going down a road that would cause chucking, or even if you are braking and putting more brake to your tv than the brakes of your fw. It would be interesting to see a pic of the top of the rail under each roller.

joegray wrote:
Boy , that would really concern me. I think I would try to get to a good hitch shop and let them have a look. Is it just the photo or are the slide rails bent also? IMHO I don't think I would trust those rails again,even if you straighten them out{weakens the metal}. Please let us know what you find out.

x2

JesLookin wrote:
Awhile back on the old truck, when we converted the hitch to a slider there are 2 bolts included to install in the center of the rails. The original installation of the rails did not include the center bolts.

I never knew until later they were putting in center bolts, my rail kit did not come with them.

Awhile back on the old truck, when we converted the hitch to a slider there are 2 bolts included to install in the center of the rails. The original installation of the rails did not include the center bolts.