Reese 5th wheel hitch issue

I am having a problem with my 5th wheel slider hitch from Reese. A little problem but very irritating. There is a little up and down movement where the hitch attaches thru the rails and pinned. The hitch will bang against the rails. Probably no more than a 1/4 inch of up and down movement but its on all 4 legs. Its not to pleasant. I was wonder if anyone has found any rubber bushings or padding to go between this surface to cushion and stop the noise?

I don't have that much of a problem with the 4 point attachment on the bed rails. Where most of of the movement is on the cross beams of the hitch itself. Right where the single pivot pin attaches the hitch head to the slider unit. I took a large C Clamp and it clamped on the two cross beams. Not so tight that will not stop the side to side pivot. To me it stops the banging when starting off and when stopping.

I put 1 grade 8 washers on top of the rail that the 4 points go through it took most of the play out

I have a Reese 16K slider, and I haven't experienced either of the problems mentioned. When installing/removing the four hold down pins, I usually have to tap them with a small hammer to get them out/in.

I have no movement where the hitch attaches to the rails.

I also have a Reese 16K slider (well used) and same as ezrider6298 have not experienced either problems mentioned. Jim

Frank wrote:Right where the single pivot pin attaches the hitch head to the slider unit.

Frank,

On my Husky 16K I found that it was caused by wear on that pin. When I was servicing the hitch two seasons ago, I pulled it apart and found some wear on the pin. It was enough to cause up down movenment so I replaced the pin.

I don't see any up and down movement in my Reese where it connects to the rail kit either.
However, does anyone know if there is any height adjustment to my Reese-slider 18K. I am wondering if I can raise the hitch plate up to gain an inch or so room between the bottom of the Cat and the bed rails. Over the weekend I rubbed up against the bottom of the Cat and the rear corner of my bed rails on my truck while backing the Cat around a tight spot. It might have been caused by the differecne in angle of the truck and trailer. I am looking for the owners manual and if I can locate the manual it will probably answer my question.

Sure is an adjustment. I have the same truck, Wildcat and hitch that you do. You have to remove some bolts, raise the hitch head platform and reinstall them. I am pretty sure that yours must be adjusted pretty low. My bed clearance is fine and I'm not at the top of the adjustment.

John

AVid wrote:Sure is an adjustment. I have the same truck, Wildcat and hitch that you do. You have to remove some bolts, raise the hitch head platform and reinstall them. I am pretty sure that yours must be adjusted pretty low. My bed clearance is fine and I'm not at the top of the adjustment.

John

Thanks John, as soon as the weather clears I will pull the hitch head and see just how much more of an adjustment I can get out of it. Its funny I found the manual and it doesn't say anything about raising or lowering the hitch plate. It does indicate that the hitch adjusts between 14-18 inches in height.
Thanks again,
Bill

There are two bolts on each side of the head support. There are four rows of holes to choose from. Mine is bolted at the third row from the the bottom. The bottom row of holes would be for the highest setting.

Well I pulled off the head and it was set at its lowest setting. I raised it one hole (1-inch) and will see how that works out. I think raising it one inch will work out for me, at least I know I have another inch to raise it if I need to.
Thanks again for all of the imput.
Cheers,

Cozzens wrote:I am having a problem with my 5th wheel slider hitch from Reese. A little problem but very irritating. There is a little up and down movement where the hitch attaches thru the rails and pinned. The hitch will bang against the rails. Probably no more than a 1/4 inch of up and down movement but its on all 4 legs. Its not to pleasant. I was wonder if anyone has found any rubber bushings or padding to go between this surface to cushion and stop the noise?

Thought I would update this message. I fixed my noise issue. I bought 2 Mouse pads at Walmart and cut them both in half. Put a piece of the mat between the pin and the rail on all 4 points. And the noise if gone! A total of 6.00 spent.

Cozzens, do you have a photo of your mod?