5th wheel issue, release handle is bent.

Slick plates are cleaner. You can buy 5th wheels now that are made with replaceable plates. To have one installed, along with slider plate and rails, probably 4-5k if buying new parts and frame drilling is needed.

 

Depends. I got a rebuilt 5th wheel and it was $2900 installed about a year ago but it was the same model i had to begin with so no drilling needed. I know an upgraded 5th wheel was around $4700 on the quote i got.

As for slick plates they are great for general useage but if you do stuff with a lot of dirt and dust i.e end dump they get chewed up pretty fast.

 

Okay, I'll bite, how in the world did a 5th wheel release get bent? I don't think I've ever seen one, I mean, you'd have to "miss" the slot by 3 feet. 5th wheels aren't Space Program material, get another handle, no?

 

You talking about the release pull handle? Just bend it back into shape with a pipe wrench or something. They get pretzeled all the time. Drive tire blowouts under them is the number one culprit.

 

Steam clean it after scraping off as much old grease as possible. Then heat it to a dull red at the bend with a torch (map gas or propane/ox).
The heat should allow you to straighten the release handle without weakening it.

 

Just fix it like others suggested it’s not anything special.

 

You can get a rebuild kit significantly cheaper than an entire 5th wheel. They are pretty simple, just take a picture before things come apart so you remember how it goes back together.