Solutions for Fifth Wheel Slider Hitch that Won't Slide All the Way Back When in Rail Kit

Published 11/07/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Reese Quick-Install Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches

(60)

$333.38

Reese Universal Base Rails and Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - 10 Bolt

(349)

$225.54

Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Round Tube Slider - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs

(396)

$849.84

Question:

I bought a truck with base rails already in it my valley hitch fits into the base rails But my hitch will not go far enough back to lock . Do I have to change the rails ? Not sure what brand rails are already in the truck

asked by: Craig N

Expert Reply:

If your hitch fits the rails it's most likely not the rails' fault that the hitch won't slide back far enough. Unless you had to really pry the hitch into the rail kit (which would bind up the slider mechanism) the rails and their placement shouldn't be an issue.

See if you can pull the hitch out of the rail kit easily and then see if the slider mechanism will slide uninstalled from the rails.

If you can't get the slider to work right, and because Valley is no longer around, it would be time to replace the hitch with something like the Reese 16k Round Tube Slider Hitch part # RP30075. The round tube sliders are much less prone to binding up and in general are much easier to use.

If the problem is the rails let me know your year/make/model and I'll recommend you a custom install kit that will install easily. Or a universal rail kit like part # RP30035 would be an option as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C