Swapping king pins on 2022

Jmckaycr · 03-09-2022, 05:02 PM

I’m in the process of swapping out the king pin on a 2022 keystone cougar 364bhl to a Reese goose box. I took out all the bolts. 10 total and the dang thing is still hanging there like I never took them out. I can’t see what is hanging it up. Talked to dealer today. He confirmed should only be the bolts. I even banged on it with a sledge hammer and didn’t budge. I’m beginning to wonder if there are small welds somewhere. Has anyone done the swap on a new trailer?? Any help would be appreciated.

bsmith0404 · 03-09-2022, 05:08 PM

At the dealership we used to pull them out with a forklift. Even that could be difficult with some. There’s nothing else holding it. I’ve heard of some people wrapping a chain around the king pin and pulling it with their truck. I personally wouldn’t do that. Have seen many things fly quite aways after they let lose. Good luck.

jasin1 · 03-09-2022, 05:14 PM

I wouldn’t let it hang like that without some safety precautions. Put one or two smaller diameter pins or bolts in a couple of holes till it breaks loose. It could fall out and hurt you or someone when it’s free

Maybe they put a thick coat of paint on everything after they put it together. That could be holding it

Jmckaycr · 03-09-2022, 05:16 PM

How would you do it? Push down? Up?? Thanks

**JRTJH** · 03-09-2022, 05:28 PM

You might consider hitching it to the hitch in your truck, then use the trailer landing gear to lift the trailer. Hopefully the pinbox will stay with the hitch as they trailer is lifted. Once you get it started, it sould be a simple matter to unhitch, drive out from under the trailer and then "manhandle the pinbox off the mount".....

Mike&Sandy · 03-09-2022, 05:44 PM

Mine was held in by the bolts only. I'd do the hitch-up landing gear suggestion.

jasin1 · 03-09-2022, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

You might consider hitching it to the hitch in your truck, then use the trailer landing gear to lift the trailer. Hopefully the pinbox will stay with the hitch as they trailer is lifted. Once you get it started, it sould be a simple matter to unhitch, drive out from under the trailer and then "manhandle the pinbox off the mount".....

That’s a great idea! ..I’d probably stick the bolts back (minus the nuts) in till it’s hitched up so you don’t drive the assembly up into the cap when you lower the fifth wheel down on the hitch? Or is that worrying about nothing

**JRTJH** · 03-09-2022, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasin1

That’s a great idea! ..I’d probably stick the bolts back (minus the nuts) in till it’s hitched up so you don’t drive the assembly up into the cap when you lower the fifth wheel down on the hitch? Or is that worrying about nothing

Yep... I wouldn't back under it without at least a couple of bolts to keep it from sliding down, riding up, falling off, damaging the tail gate or heaven only knows what else might happen... Then remove the bolts before using the landing gear.....

rhagfo · 03-10-2022, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

You might consider hitching it to the hitch in your truck, then use the trailer landing gear to lift the trailer. Hopefully the pinbox will stay with the hitch as they trailer is lifted. Once you get it started, it sould be a simple matter to unhitch, drive out from under the trailer and then "manhandle the pinbox off the mount".....

This and you could leave a couple bolts in place. The other thing would be to place some pallets or wood blocking under the hitch in the bed of the truck, so if it were to drop it wouldn't damage the bed.

Jmckaycr · 03-10-2022, 12:43 PM

That may work but I don’t have a hitch in the bed. That’s why I bought the goose box. So I wouldn’t need one. Thanks anymore ideas? I’d take ‘em.

jsb5717 · 03-10-2022, 12:59 PM

I'd use the smaller bolts as suggested just to prevent accidental dropping. You might then put a 2x4 or 4x4 under the pin and slowly lower the trailer to see if that will break it loose. But keep a close eye so you're not trying to suspend the front end of the trailer onto the board if it doesn't break loose right away.

smithfrh · 03-10-2022, 01:19 PM

Have you tried putting a jack in and spreading the housing then slipping it out the front?

Northofu1 · 03-10-2022, 01:24 PM

I would use some wood cribbing, safety stands and use a bottle jack to try to loosen it.
Push it up slightly and then remove jack and hammer it down a bit and repeat as necessary. eventually it will give, some penetrating oil spray wouldn't hurt either. Good luck.
P.S. Don't use the jack on the tailgate

**JRTJH** · 03-10-2022, 01:41 PM

With two "loosened" (not tightly torqued) bolts in TWO of the holes, you can create a pivot point. Use a jack to push the pinbox UP, then use a chain around the pinbox and tied to a hitch ball on the truck and use the trailer landing gear to lift the trailer, pulling down on the pinbox, then use the jack to lift on the pinbox and repeat the chain/landing gear. Work back and forth and the pinbox will eventually loosen.

BE SURE TO HAVE TWO LOOSENED BOLTS IN THE PINBOX TO PROTECT AGAINST THE PINBOX DROPPING !!!!!

Jmckaycr · 03-11-2022, 02:26 PM

Today it finally came out. Problem was is that when they installed it I’m assuming the paint was wet. Dried like concrete all around every crack and crevice. I used a sledge hammer on it with no bolts and it wouldn’t move a mm. I got it out by using small chisels to crack the seal around the whole thing. Hopefully this helps someone in the future.

rhagfo · 03-12-2022, 05:18 AM

Time to touch up the damaged paint.

Jmckaycr · 03-16-2022, 02:41 PM

I’m glad I chose the lowest setting. Doing it alone was a bit of a **** show but I managed. 8” of clearance and I think it’s sitting pretty nice.

rhagfo · 03-16-2022, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmckaycr

I’m glad I chose the lowest setting. Doing it alone was a bit of a **** show but I managed. 8” of clearance and I think it’s sitting pretty nice.

If you dropped to 6” your 5er would be level.

notanlines · 03-17-2022, 02:40 AM

In that there is nothing to be gained by running the 5th wheel absolutely level, I believe I'd take the extra 2 inches of clearance. 6 is plenty, but 8 is just a wee bit better.
Glad you got this taken care of.

wrvond · 03-17-2022, 03:41 AM

I can't tell if the road is curved or it's wide angle lens curvature that makes it look unlevel. Looking at the space between the camper and bedrails doesn't look too bad to me. Having made contact between the bedrail and a camper in a rough situation, I would go for the 8" clearance as well. Just remember your front air conditioner may be 2 inches or so higher than the specs say.

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