Tomorrow I embark on a new quest. the Force and HAL say to ask first. And Yoda said failure is a great teacher - rather not have that lesson, so I am asking for the collective wisdom of the GD Fellowship here.
Tomorrow I will be assembling and installing for the first time a Companion OEM Fifth Wheel Hitch.
Now I have read the instructions several times and watched numerous videos, but none have answered the question I need an answered . Being the Holiday weekend I can't call B&W but I will come Tuesday.
In the instructions it says adjust the castle nut to get a firm locking fit. Firm to me may not be firm to you. My neighbor with weak hand uses a rubber mallet, but his has been set for years. He is also a retired mechanic.
Then the instructions say insert the locking cotter pin in the castle nut. Here is the ultimate question and I know the answer is not 42. To get the pin in do you tighten or loosed the nut if it does not fit? I am thinking tighten slightly. Is this correct? I ran across several videos that say tighten one full notch to load the locking cleat. One said put 50 FT/Lbs on the nut after locking - which I know is wrong per the B&W instructions.
I may need to compress my impact mat in the initial install which is not an issue as over time it will compress and adjust in use. I plan to check periodically.
I just don't want any play in the base.
What locks are folks using on the locking cleat arms? I would like to get a set ordered, withe a 3rd keyed alike for the locking arm. Something good and weather proof if there is such a thing.
Thanks for any help
Keith
Tomorrow I will be assembling and installing for the first time a Companion OEM Fifth Wheel Hitch.
Now I have read the instructions several times and watched numerous videos, but none have answered the question I need an answered . Being the Holiday weekend I can't call B&W but I will come Tuesday.
In the instructions it says adjust the castle nut to get a firm locking fit. Firm to me may not be firm to you. My neighbor with weak hand uses a rubber mallet, but his has been set for years. He is also a retired mechanic.
Then the instructions say insert the locking cotter pin in the castle nut. Here is the ultimate question and I know the answer is not 42. To get the pin in do you tighten or loosed the nut if it does not fit? I am thinking tighten slightly. Is this correct? I ran across several videos that say tighten one full notch to load the locking cleat. One said put 50 FT/Lbs on the nut after locking - which I know is wrong per the B&W instructions.
I may need to compress my impact mat in the initial install which is not an issue as over time it will compress and adjust in use. I plan to check periodically.
I just don't want any play in the base.
What locks are folks using on the locking cleat arms? I would like to get a set ordered, withe a 3rd keyed alike for the locking arm. Something good and weather proof if there is such a thing.
Thanks for any help
Keith
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