I wonder how much the mandate to not shim is corporate lawyer talk rather than sound engineering judgement?

In my mind, one or more well placed shims is the solution.

 

Thank you..................I really believe as well that the issue is the welded bracket on the frame. I think something was off and the bracket was placed correctly.

 

Your issue sounds exactly like mine. When I first took the issue to Ford (local dealer) I prooved the pucks were unlevel by using a long level. Sat the level on the bed rib and the front puck was level with the bottom of the level and the back puck had a large gap between the level and puck. Pictures were taken and sent to Ford Corp. They said to replace the puck system ASAP. The mechanic said when he loosed the puck system from the truck is make a noise from being bound and torqued onto the frame.

After the replacement puck system was installed, I still could see the difference is height of the pucks. At that time I called Ford Customer Care and started a complaint on the issue. Since they have sent out an Engineer and template from Ford to measure the pucks. The template was at some dealership out west, obviously measuring another system.

B&W has been great........B&W will not shim because they are level. Ford told the engineer and technicians they are NOT to shim under no circumstances.

Please stay in touch and let me know if you get any answers.
Im scheduled for a weekly call from Ford case worker today.

 

I believe the issue is the front passenger side puck. B&W and Ford both have said NOT to shim. Neither the puck system or the hitch were designed for any type of shim use. The one puck being higher that the other three throws everything off. Since this is a slide hitch, if I tighten the handles up real tight it then binds the slide. My other concern is the hitch slides on a rail on each side of the hitch. There are a top and bottom roller in the front and in the back of the hitch on each side that rolls on the rail. Over time sliding the hitch back and forth using force of the 5th wheel what is this doing to the rollers. No one knows, and there could be malfunction on the side of the road who knows where. Not to mention the damage it will cause.

 

Today I cut a puck-shaped hole in a 2.5" steel flat washer (~ 3 millimeters thick) and set it on top of the Ford puck (under the hitch foot) on my front driver's-side. That removed the wobble in the hitch with the pucks unlocked. Now with all the pucks tight she slides with one hand.

I don't see why this isn't an approved solution by both parties.

 

I see the brackets are bolted on each side of the frame inside and outside not sure why anyone is blaming a weld. and shimming under the slider on the one puck would not cause any issue if you used a hihg grade washer the bolts have them with no issues

 

Was the replacement puck system out-of-level at the same puck(s) as the original one that came with your truck?

 

Yes the same exact puck........Passengers front sits higher than other 3.

 

Frame not right.

 

Huge improvement over the rail system. Those pins sliding in for the rails were sometimes a pinching bit-ch!. My puck system is flawless and locks in with a single finger flip of the cam-lever arm.

 

You either have a very strong finger or your cams must need their tension adjusted.

I like the puck system and I love the B&W hitch. Obviously both parties play a role in my slider's issues. Ford should build things straight. B&W should build-in some adjustability since they know they are dealing with an outfit like Ford.

 

I have the same issue with my f350 built in april. My reese elite hitch won't latch unless I put the weight of the trailer on it. Only downside is I have to remember to unlatch one corner before unhitching.

I since have bought an andersen ultimate hitch. I have no concerns about the aluminum bed. It actually sits on top of the 5th wheel pucks. I don't have enough tows with it provide any real feedback yet though. My first tow it was too loose and I'm waiting to pick my TH up from service to try it again. There are a lot of happy guys using them though.

 

In the picture the mounting plates on the frame appear to be bolted, not welded. I would imagine that some adjustment could be made to these even if only a little.

 

Agreed, have to use my foot to kick mine in.

 

I should of added; I went from the B&W (for my prior 5er) to the Reese 25K Elite. I've never fit in the B&W in the new 17, but the Reese is simply drop in and go, finger strength at best to swing the puck arms in. There is no chatter when you tug up & down when locked in, so I would say the cams are locked in.

So being that I'm using the Reese Elite (which I believe is what Ford is using as their factory hitch).... zero issues, perfect fit.