King Pin - Diesel Forum

Aaron Ruble · 06-03-2005, 10:26 AM

My 5th wheel has an adjustable king pin and I want to raise the pin one set of bolt holes. If you have done this, is there any cautions or info I should consider other than it is very heavy?
Aaron.

twobit · 06-03-2005, 11:11 AM

It is easy to do. Be carful that you dont let it fall out because yes it is heavy. I adjusted mine without problem. I lowered the pin to get enough clearance between camper and bed rail (you need at least 6 inches). You could block up under it, let it rest on the fifth wheel hitch, or just get someone to help hold it as the last bolt is removed. Sometimes the friction between it and where it mounts is enough to keep it from falling, you might even need a hammer and block of wood to get it to move once bolts are out. Be sure and torque the bolts (about 65-80 ft/lbs.)then check them again after towing awhile.

BIG JOE · 06-03-2005, 11:51 AM

Heres what I did: Loosen, but don't remove, all 4 bolts. Remove the front 2, put a pin or >smaller< bolt in the holes, remove the back 2, raise the back to the next higher position, re-install the bolts. Raise the front to the next higher position, re-install the bolts. Re-tighten all 4 bolts, REAL tight. (I put 200 ft lbs of torque to mine)

Done Deal. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

JOE

AllStarPSD · 06-03-2005, 03:16 PM

i'm just thinking out loud as i have never dealt with a 5th wheel (other than big trucks) before. but is there a way to hookup to camper and use your landing gear to put a little pressure on it and then remove the bolts and then use landing gear to raise it to desired height and then replace bolts in the other holes.

i'm asking basically so i'll know if i'm ever in this situation myself.

thanks

thomas

BIG JOE · 06-03-2005, 03:58 PM

Thomas... Ya, I tried it that way once, it can be done. but yer purdy much stuck.... not much working room around the pin box, front,rear, side to side, head room, cuz yer dealing with the pick-up bed.

I lower/raise mine (others) down to a comfortable (for me) working heigth useing the landing jacks.... then, useing 2 clevis pins (as mentioned), go 'bout the business of doing what needs to be done.

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

j_apetersen · 06-03-2005, 06:58 PM

Yes thomas if you are small enough to squeese in to the space after you hook up.

Aaron Ruble · 06-06-2005, 11:56 AM

Thanks for the come back. I just did not want to do something that should never be tried. I'll go for removing two bolts and and use a pin to hold it until I can move it up. Concur with the 200 lbs torque -- that's what the manufacture said it should be. Concur with ya gotta check it at the rest stops. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif[/img]