teflon plates

I don't think I've ever wore one out. They just last.

I've used the same one, bought new, for over 10 years.

fj12ryder wrote:
I have the same one I got with our first 5th wheel 13 years ago. Still works, so I still use it.

I got a new one with purchase of my new TH, but had used the same one for around 10 years.....

I had to replace a grey water tank last summer, that material makes great friction plates, with a jig saw and a hole saw I made about five, it works great, using one on my fiver

I replace mine after it can't stay on the pin no more even after I try to knock the edge with the hammer.

I think we are speaking in generic language when we refer to the rings. You are correct with Teflon cold flowing whereas the others won't. IMO, any plate including Teflon will work. Not enough pressure or use to become an issue.

I would avoid the Teflon version. Teflon cold-flows too easily and a denser plastic works just as well. Cheaper too. Plain old Delrin, Nylon, or Polyethylene is a better choice.

You'll never wear one out from towing, but you may break them during hitch-up. Especially if you get one too big for your pin box. Other than that, just the retaining fingers as others mentioned.

Mine lasted 10 years. Probably would have lasted longer but I had the pin a little lower than I though one time last year and the hitch caught it and bent it in half. So I now have a new one on as of last fall. Should last the rest of the life of the trailer.

Veebyes wrote:
They tend to wear around the kingpin & fall off. Problem solved by using some calking to glue it to the kingpin plate.

What works better is to lay the disk on a solid surface and use a hammer to hit around the edges of the hole in the center. This actually makes the diameter of the hole smaller so the disk fits tighter to the kingpin.

On my third fifth wheel sence "06". Just replaced the plate.