Hitch Pivot Pin

[Buffpilot]

I have discovered (when removing the hitch) that the pivot pin on my Reese hitch had turn where the flat front piece had turned 90 degrees. I had to use a screwdriver and hammer to move it back to the down position for removal. Where the flat metal is welded? to the pin it had started to come loose. I have contact Reese for a replacement. Has this happened to anyone else? Might be worth a look. The hitch is a 16K and Montana is a 3000RK.

[daneboy]

Buff Driver,
I have the same hitch, it's never done that. It's worth watch for, wouldn't want the pin to come out when towing. Thanks for the heads up.
Jerry

[ehmcfarl]

Hey Bob, I have a Reese 16k Slider. Are you talking about the rectangular piece of bright metal on the lower front (towards the truck cab) that sometimes tries to rotate? Mine has tried to rotate and I used a small hammer to knock the tab around where it again points to the bottom. What are you saying is happening? Sorry I'm just confused?

Thanks,

Buddy

[HughM]

Buffpilot was the pivot pin put in from the rear of the truck or was the pin put in fron the front of the truck? I also have the Reese 16K slider.
Notice the angle of the pin. If it was put in from the back to the front its on a upward angle and if the retaining pin broke/came out....then the pivot pin could come out causing loss off 5th wheel connection.
Hugh

[waldo238]

I am new to this can you take a picture of this so I know what to look at.

[sreigle]

We had a Reese hitch like that until very recently. I'm not sure the rotating of that thing is an issue. However, the metal coming loose from the pin is most definitely a safety issue. I've never before heard of that happening. I'm glad you caught yours before it became a serious problem.

[Waynem]

Ditto on a picture!

[Buffpilot]

The Monty dealer has the pivot pin as they are contacting Reese for replacement. I have always installed the pin with the flat metal portion next to the trucks cab and the circular cotter pin toward the tail gate. I had never had it rotate in 15k miles. Reese is suppose to be sending a replacement. It had not pulled away much but you could see it starting to and the plate did not have the J look to it but was flatter from being turned. Will post a picture when I get the pin back. Thanks for the responses.

[sreigle]

Mine was installed by the dealer with the flat metal portion to the rear. I'm not sure whether it matters?

[Waynem]

Ditto on placement, but mine turns as evidenced by the marks on the 5th.

Are they supposed to stay in one place? What keeps it in place?

If it is just the way the flange is bent, I can fix that in the vice.

[sreigle]

My guess is they turn because they're not lubricated. Thus when the hitch rocks it is metal against metal. I would think eventually there would be some wear which would introduce some slop into that part of the hitch. I wonder what Reese's position is on lubing that pin.

[Waynem]

This is the 1 1/2 inch diameter pin that holds the top plate to the bed rail, right?

If it were lubed, wouldn't it turn more freely? There is a lot of up, down, back, and forward motion on the hitch.

I'm going to be very interested in Reese's reply.