5th wheel adjustment

What 5th wheel are we working on?

Adjustments should always be made with a test pin, not with a trailer on.

Beg, barrow or steal a test pin or pay someone that has one.

 

Back the nut off a couple turns and latch with tool. If the rubber and steel washer is hard to turn when latched back off more until loose. Once loose, retighten the nut until the washers rubber and steel are hard to rotate by hand. Unhook and relatch during the adjustment process to recheck as needed.


This should achieve near zero movement. If slop still exists consider rebuild or replace.

Detailed instructions are available at SAF Hollands website for free.

The weight of the trailer is the issue. You need to be able to move the tool ( trailer) to check the movement. Fore and aft. Hard to do while connected.

 

I just loosen the front nut, till I can turn the washer by hand, while hooked up snug. Goodysnap is definitely right, should use the proper tool. I never have. Once it’s worn out, backing it off, all you want, with the washer so loose, there’s a gap you can see, and it still has slop. It’s wore out. Still works, but has slop. No more adjustment left to be done. Holland has some good specs on their website, showing the proper tool, and procedure. I’ve always done mine that way, it’s lasted 20 yrs. Going to replace it with another FW35, best fool proof simple designed fifth wheel, IMO.

 

If your handy with a welder you could surely buy a replacment pin for a trailer and build one for much cheaper.

I'm sure the Holland tool is priced out of this world. Havnt looked to know for sure.

 

You could adjust it connected to a new trailer. Empty and legs slightly loaded.
If you adjust it up to a worn pin it might work great. However if you hook up to a trailer with a pin that is not worn it can jam. The handle will not pull even with a come a long.

 

Now I’m worried. When I put my new fifth wheel on, Will it be adjusted correctly from the factory? Or do they usually need to be adjusted? If it gets jammed, and can’t pull the handle, then what do you do? SOL?

 

That’s what I should do. I have a good welder, he’s very reasonable, wonder how much a new pin costs. Can’t be too bad. I’ll call tomorrow, find out. Why take a chance?

 

You sell that truck and trailer together!

I've been adjusting my Jost wheel with my trailer (empty) little by little. I've been kind of blown away asking around different folks how few of them know the first thing about a 5th wheel. I didn't either but I'm learning.