The 5 Steps of 5th Wheel Repair

5th Wheel Repair and Replacement

Inspection of a tractor-trailer 5th wheel plate and kingpin is an absolute necessity for ensuring operational and road safety.

This is often neglected, overlooking rusted, corroded, or cracked parts that need repair or replacement.

85%-90% of 5th wheel plate failures are found during the DOT inspection.

In this video, Lead Service Technician Larry Anders walks us through our 5-point 5th wheel repair and replacement process. He showcases what sets the Utility Keystone Trailer Sales service team apart from the rest.

Utility Keystone’s 5th wheel plate repair and replacement process:

A worn kingpin can be responsible for drivers experiencing a loose hook-up, sliding trailer, or even resulting in a runaway trailer.

Greasing the 5th wheel can help prevent wear, and your kingpin will last much longer.

1. Inspection Phase:

• Using a Kingpin gauge, check for wear and tear. The kingpin will be replaced if damaged.
• Check supports and look for holes/rust damage (inside check)
• Check functionality of air and electric, noting nonworking components

2. Removal Phase:

• Disconnect air and electric
• Remove bottom rail rivets and cut floor screws
• Plan rebuild/restoration

3. Rebuild Phase:

• Replace all rusted vertical and horizontal support gussets on the approach plate.
• On rare occasions, we’ll rebuild the entire plate from scratch with measurements and specs from the original plate.
• Fit the rebuilt approach plate to the universal plate.

4. Reinstall Phase:

• Test fit new 5th wheel plate and rerun wires and connections.
• Test and replace any faulty connections.
• Redrill new rivet holes
• Install the rebuilt 5th wheel plate.
• Use 3/8 stainless rivets to compensate for the floor screws removed. They are stronger than a bolt or steel, or aluminum rivets.

5. Test Phase:

• Reconnect air/electric connections
  Test durability and reliability of plate