At DJ Products, every design change has one goal: make our equipment stronger, easier to use, and more reliable for our customers. Our new style 5th wheel arm assembly is built to do exactly that. It’s heavier duty, cleaner looking, and replaces multiple older versions with one universal design.
Why We Made the Change
The 5th-wheel arm assembly is the pivot point that allows a unit to steer left and right once it’s connected to a load. For years, we used three different versions of this arm. Each came with its own set of parts, and over time, each developed too much play in the pivot. That “slop” led to more maintenance than we’d like to see.
The new-style arm replaces all three versions with one stronger assembly. That means less upkeep, less parts complexity, and better performance in the field.
Key Improvements
Tighter tolerances
The pivot holds tight with minimal play, reducing sway and keeping loads steadier.
Tapered bearings
Built with tapered roller bearings on the pivot, the new arm is stronger and holds up under heavier use.
Adjustable crown nut
Operators can set how freely the arm pivots.. smoother and lighter for easy maneuvering, or tighter for more control under load.
Simpler, cleaner design
The assembly has fewer parts, a compact look, and is now robot-welded for consistency. This makes it easier for us to build and stock, and easier for customers to maintain.
Built From the Shop Floor
This redesign didn’t start in a conference room. A few years back, our welding lead and his team built a prototype out of spare parts during some downtime. It worked so well that it became the foundation for this new assembly. That kind of hands-on problem solving is what keeps our products moving forward.
Already in the Field
The new 5th wheel arm assembly is being tested on Waste Caddies, Waste Caddy Shorties, Cart Caddy 5Ws, & Cart Caddy Shorties. By replacing three separate designs with one universal version, we’ve made things easier for both our customers and our production team.
What Customers Should Know
- The new arm is stronger than it looks.
- It will replace all previous versions across our product lines.
- Units in the field are already using it, with positive early results.
- The new arm will bolt on-to existing units in the field.
- The new arm will still accept existing attachments.
What’s Next
As soon as we finish using our existing stock of old assemblies, all DJ Products units will ship with the new style 5th wheel arm. Customers who want to upgrade existing equipment can make the switch as well.
The result is a 5th wheel arm assembly that’s stronger, tighter, and built to last… helping your team move loads with more stability and less maintenance.
Ready to upgrade or need specs for your application? Request a quote and Contact Sales and our team will match the arm to your unit and use case.
