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I’ve been wondering lately if there’s a time frame when a hitch should be replaced. Although my fifth wheel hitch is in great shape, it’s now 15yrs old. Should I be thinking about replacing it?
My current hitch is rated for 15k with a vertical load limit of 3750. My GD Reflection 317RST UVW is 10,255, GVWR is 13,835 and pin weight is 2028.
I’m sure a new current hitch will be quieter, but is it really worth the expense? I’ve been looking at the Curt Q20 with roller for Ford puck system. I can order the setup from Amazon and Northern Tool for a hair over $1k.
Once a year I disassemble, inspect, and lube my fiver hitch. One time I found worn out parts that were included in a recall by Reese...got the newly revised parts sent to me free.
If it's in good shape, keep using it. Regardless of the age, you just have to inspect and maintain.
In my opinion the quality of many products decreases everyday. Clean, lube, inspect, and keep on rolling. I wonder how the steel that was made from compared to a similar one today from the same manufacture?
The slide jaw has some wear in it which creates a little slop but that's all that I can find. Everything else is in really good shape from what I can see.
I think the older the better, the steel was better the man welding took pride in what he welded, now speed is how these companies make money, China steel, robots welding, ect.
Thanks for the replies. I'll hold on to old faithful unless I upgrade to a heavier fifth wheel. Now I can stop looking at hitches and maybe use that money to replace the oem tires on my unit.
I've been using the same hitch as you have for years, no problems at all. As mentioned earlier, clean, inspect and lube it up every spring, it will keep doing good for years.
It would be different if you had an issue that could be directly contributed to the hitch, but why fix something that isn't broken, why spend money when you don't have to.
Right now, my hitch has been in four different pickups and there have been a few times when I needed a part (broken frame U bolt on the custom install kit is the last that came up) and every time I've called Reese, they verify the hitch, verify the part I need, get my address and Fedex it right to me. I have yet to pay for anything I've gotten from Reese other than the initial cost of the hitch
In my opinion the quality of many products decreases everyday. Clean, lube, inspect, and keep on rolling. I wonder how the steel that was made from compared to a similar one today from the same manufacture?
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
