When Is It Time to Replace 5th Wheel Landing Gear? Don’t Wait Too Long

Fifth wheel landing gear doesn’t get much attention—until it fails. At that point, you’re either stuck, unsafe, or both. Whether you’re hauling heavy loads for work or towing a camper for weekends away, the landing gear is what keeps the trailer upright and stable when it’s not hooked to your vehicle. Letting it wear out or ignoring early warning signs isn’t just risky; it can turn into an expensive repair or even a dangerous failure.

Too many RVers and haulers ignore their landing gear until something goes wrong. Knowing when to replace it keeps your setup safe and functional. The key is recognizing the signs early and understanding what causes wear in the first place.

Signs That the Landing Gear is Wearing Out

One of the first things to watch for is unusual movement when loading or unloading. If the trailer starts to lean, creak, or wobble when you’re lifting it off the hitch, it could mean the gear isn’t distributing weight evenly anymore. That’s not something to brush off. It can lead to stripped gears or worse—sudden collapse.

Another red flag is slow or uneven operation. If one side of the landing gear is rising faster than the other, there’s likely a mechanical issue. Manual cranks might feel stiffer, and electric gear might start stalling or struggling. It’s often the gearbox or leg assembly, and both are worth replacing if they no longer work in sync.

Noise is another indicator. Grinding, popping, or high-pitched squealing means metal components are not meshing properly. That kind of friction creates wear fast. You can try greasing the gears or legs, but if the sound keeps coming back, it’s time to replace.

Finally, physical damage like bent legs, cracked welds, or rusted joints are obvious signs. Rust, especially, is more than cosmetic—it eats into structural strength. And since many trailers are parked on coastal highways or driven through areas that get a lot of rain, corrosion is inevitable unless you maintain and check regularly.

Don’t Assume Maintenance Will Fix Everything

Lubrication and inspection are critical, no question. But they can only go so far. Once landing gear components are worn or stripped, no amount of grease will reverse the damage. It’s tempting to keep cranking through a noisy joint or force an electric motor to work harder, but you’re gambling at that point.

Some owners add power drives to older manual landing gear systems hoping to squeeze a  few more years out of them.

The problem is that motors can’t fix bent legs, worn gear teeth, or failing gearboxes. In fact, they often accelerate the failure because you’re putting more strain on parts that are already compromised.

The better call is to stop patching and start planning for replacement.

Why Age and Usage Matter

Age plays a major role, but it’s not just about how old the gear is—it’s how it’s been used. If you tow regularly over bumpy roads, park on uneven ground, or haul heavy loads, your landing gear is working harder than average. Add in exposure to moisture and road salt, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for early failure.

Manual crank systems tend to show wear faster, especially when the trailer is frequently parked or moved. Constant up-and-down motion puts stress on the gears, legs, and connections. The more often it moves, the more likely it is to wear out—just like brakes or tires.

Electric landing gear offers smoother operation but still has a lifespan. Once motors begin to slow down, hesitate, or trip breakers, it’s a sign the internal gears are wearing or the motor is straining. Replacing worn electric gear is usually less expensive than dealing with total failure after the system collapses or jams.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait for a Total Failure

When landing gear collapses, it can cause real damage. The frame of your trailer can twist or buckle. Your truck’s hitch could be damaged. In worst-case scenarios, you could be pinned underneath or suffer serious injury trying to fix it manually. And once it fails completely, towing becomes a nightmare—you can’t just lift a 10,000-pound trailer off the ground by hand.

Beyond safety, there’s a time and money factor. If you wait until it fails on the road or at a remote campground, you’re stuck. Emergency repairs cost more, and it’s much harder to find parts or techs to fix the issue fast. If the landing gear is showing signs of wear, you’re far better off replacing it at home or in a shop than scrambling during a trip.

How to Check Your Landing Gear Before Every Trip

Before heading out, check for any play or shifting when raising or lowering. Look at the welds and connections where the landing gear attaches to the trailer. Make sure the legs rise evenly and that there’s no jerky movement. Listen for strange noises during operation, and check that the crank or motor doesn’t feel strained.

It’s also smart to grease the legs and gearbox regularly. But if you’ve done that and performance hasn’t improved, don’t assume the issue will go away. Gear wear is usually permanent, and when it starts affecting performance, replacement is the only real fix.

What to Look for in a Replacement

Not all landing gear is created equal. The most important factor is matching the load capacity to your trailer. If you’re towing something with a heavy pin weight, you’ll want gear that’s rated well above that number. Go too light, and the new system will wear out fast—or fail altogether.

You also want to think about convenience. If you’ve been using a manual crank for years and it’s starting to wear you out, upgrading to an electric system can save your back. But even with power systems, you’ll want something that’s easy to service, with available parts and clear installation steps.

Weld-on or bolt-on configurations matter too. If you’re not doing the work yourself, your installer will need to know what kind of mounting your trailer supports. Choosing gear with flexible mounting options can make installation smoother and faster.

Final Word: Don’t Treat Landing Gear as an Afterthought

It’s easy to overlook the landing gear because it’s not moving at 70 mph down the highway. But its job is just as important. It supports your entire trailer when stationary, and it takes all the weight when you’re disconnecting from the tow vehicle.

Treating landing gear as a key safety component—not just a convenience—can help you avoid breakdowns, costly repairs, and ruined travel plans. If your gear is showing signs of wear, replacement isn’t optional. It’s essential.