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Hitch Maintenance for a Fifth Wheel

Learn the proper hitch maintenance requirements for your Fifth Wheel RV.

From "RV Roadtrips"
episode DRVR-110

Host Gary Bunzer shows the Foster family how to maintain the hitch on their Fifth Wheel before hitting the road for the RV Rally in Lake San Antonio in Monterey County in California.

Gary lubricates the hitch plate and checks all of the electrical connections, and then he and Michael Foster examine the breakaway switch and check the tires for accurate tire pressure.

Gary (left) shows Michael how to make sure his Fifth Wheel hitch is ready for the road.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Materials:

DeoxIT Contact Cleaner
hitch plate
white lithium grease

Tools:

screwdriver

Fifth Wheel Hitch Maintenance

Check the king pin and make sure it is fully lubricated.
Examine the hitch plate (figure A) to determine if it needs to be replaced. Look for grooves because they are an indication that it's time to change the plate, which is needed approximately every year.
To replace the hitch plate, remove it and simply slide a new one into place.
Lubricate the king pin with white lithium grease.
Lubricate the hitch plate as well.
Check all electrical connections. Make sure the umbilical that connects the hitch to the tow vehicle has tight contacts and are clean. If they need tightening simply squeeze the contacts together.
Spray DeoxIT Contact Cleaner on the contacts.
Hitch up the truck (include any tips/safety measures on hitching up).
Examine the cable on the breakaway switch (figure B) to make sure it's firmly attached to the truck and that the cord has enough slack for turning in both directions. The breakaway switch is designed to apply full brakes to the trailer should it break lose from the truck.
The breakaway switch receives its voltage from the trailer's battery. Make sure the battery is fully charged (figure C—Gary using volt meter here).
Check tires for accurate tire pressure.