What Prevents Demco Recon From Spinning at Base and Not in Hitch Head

Updated 08/11/2025 | Published 05/21/2021

Question:

I plan on buying the recessed fifth wheel hitch. When I slide the hitch over the ball and latch it in, what is keeping the main fifth wheel unit from rotating in a circle? Is it the long pin that locks and unlocks with a spring from the side of the truck? Should a person drill 4 holes, one in each corner and place a bolt for extra support?

asked by: Wayne B

Helpful Expert Reply:

Basically the pin weight of the trailer is what keeps the fifth wheel hitch from spinning on the Demco Recon # DM8550045 as it creates a lot of friction. It's much easier for the king pin to pivot in the hitch head and not the base.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Forrest Z.

8/6/2025

What if we are having problems with it turning? Do i need to torque the jam nuts more then specified in the directions? Put a rubber mat under it or rubber feet? Grease it well even though I'm using a lube disk?

Jameson C.

8/7/2025

@ForrestZ You would not want to torque anything beyond the recommended torque specs but do you have a bed liner or bed mat currently. Is the hitch making solid contact with the truck bed floor. Which lube disc are you running? Is it one designed to not use with grease at all?

Forrest

8/7/2025

@JamesonC, I'm using a lube free disc, a large 12 inch? one from the dealership it was the largest they had, I have no bed mat or bed liner just bare hitch on bare truck metal, its not a brand new truck so the beds not perfect but it's also not beat to heck.