5th Wheel Lube Plate and Jaw Clearance

[Bill-2020]

'Evening all. In the included picture that I came across online tonight, it shows how the basic lube plate (this one happens to be a Curt brand) raises the kingpin just enough to where the jaws are at the lowest point possible without not being able to full close around the kingpin (see my arrows showing the areas of convern). I have this same issue on my B&W. My plate is the standard 3/16" thickness, as is the one shown here.

I was looking for a thinner version and I can only find a 1/8" at 3 times the usual price.

I'm assuming that all is still well with a 3/16" version, so long as the jaws close as designed and without binding? And of course with additional use, the 3/16 will wear down some over time.

Thoughts?

[chuckster57]

As long as the jaws close, your good to go.

[cougar23]

Could always look at it, just like your picture to be sure it is closed. I always connect the power cable, hold the brake controller and give the trailer a little tug before I fully raise the front jacks.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by cougar23

Could always look at it, just like your picture to be sure it is closed. I always connect the power cable, hold the brake controller and give the trailer a little tug before I fully raise the front jacks.

The “tug test”, been doing it since 1989

[Bill-2020]

Originally Posted by cougar23

Could always look at it, just like your picture to be sure it is closed. I always connect the power cable, hold the brake controller and give the trailer a little tug before I fully raise the front jacks.

That goes without saying. My concern was there was no tolerance left on the base of the jaws after being closed around the kingpin.

[Bill-2020]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

As long as the jaws close, your good to go.

Thank you, sir. That’s what I was thinking, just wanted to make sure it wasn’t something out of the ordinary.

[TXiceman]

We used the thinner lube plate with our Trailer Saver TS air ride hitch.

But I always visually confirmed the jaws were closed and the hitch locked plus a tug test before pulling off the lot.

Ken

[dutchmensport]

Yes, pull test first ... always.

Think of it this way.... with "zero clearance", there's no room for the king pin to bounce up and down on hard hit bumps when traveling. It's snug tight.

[cougar23]

Originally Posted by Bill-2020

That goes without saying. My concern was there was no tolerance left on the base of the jaws after being closed around the kingpin.

If the was NO clearance it would not close. A paper match book cover is about 25 thousands of an inch. That is plenty of clearance that you cannot see by eye.
Tug test holds, good to go!

[Bill-2020]

Originally Posted by cougar23

If the was NO clearance it would not close. A paper match book cover is about 25 thousands of an inch. That is plenty of clearance that you cannot see by eye.
Tug test holds, good to go!

Obviously. My point was not enough tolerance. Yes, I wrote "no" but I would think you'd get the idea.

[Mr Mojo]

Part one shows what the person did, it's a little long but might be helpful, the action happens around 22 minutes in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSO6gZ_r7U8

part 2 is the explanation of what and how it happened.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XPcug7I09k

Part 3 I think is the fix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHsVk46MR_M

[Bill-2020]

I knew I wasn’t crazy seeing how tight the pin was to my jaws (like the one in the photo I posted). When I saw him add the white plate to a hitch that already had an integrated lube plate I figured something was going to go wrong.

I have already sourced and purchased a thinner lube plate to make sure I have more clearance. I’m not fond of the way that hitch worked from what I saw in the video. Boy, a test pull would have saved his day.

Before I settled on a new fifth wheel, I researched the hitch market and I liked the B&W Patriot 16K best for what I was intending on pulling with my TV and the way it locks.

Thanks for posting those videos. There’s a lot of lessons in them. But I never would have used a magic eraser on the paint. Those are more abrasive than a cheap bottle of light polish from AutoZone. But that’s just me and a whole different discussion. YMMV without a doubt.

[cougar23]

I have the B&W 18k and like it a lot. Goes good with our 23MLE