5th wheelers; heres something neat:

racsan · Jan 22, 2014

came across this the other day, im sure its very pricy, but its a neat idea.

http://www.automatedsafetyhitch.com/

ive never seen one in person, not sure how "new" this is...

brokemechanic3000 · Jan 22, 2014

Those are not new but are rarely seen because most people that have a trailer like that have a truck just for pulling it. I told a customer about those dollies once because they had a dually Suburban and they got an amazing deal on a gooseneck camper.

MastuhWaffles · Jan 22, 2014

It's a very simple idea, allowing the weight to be placed on a suspension system instead of dragging down the back of the truck, being another joint it adds twice the maneuverability.

martin · Jan 23, 2014

Good luck backing that sucker up.

racsan · Jan 23, 2014

i dont think it would change much on backing up, it does move the hitch point back further, but the dolly is mounted to the tow vehicle in such a way that its a extention of the vehicle, not just a "trailer between a trailer". granted ive never backed up (or even pulled forward) a 5th wheel style trailer before, but i would think its similar to a bumper pull style though.

85_Ranger4x4 · Jan 24, 2014

Unless you have to get out and unlock/lock something up you will either be sliding tires or trying to back up a train.

It might be ok in a pinch but I don't think it compares to a truck mounted hitch at all.

Dune Runner · Jan 25, 2014

I used to have a 5th wheel. It was long enough that in some camp grounds I had just about run out of room backing into a spot. With this setup there is no way I would have fit.

Ozwynn · Jan 26, 2014

Dune Runner said:
I used to have a 5th wheel. It was long enough that in some camp grounds I had just about run out of room backing into a spot. With this setup there is no way I would have fit.

you know you think that..... but then in the end you always figure it out.

Dune Runner · Jan 26, 2014

BDAB said:
you know you think that..... but then in the end you always figure it out.

No, I know when it's tight. I have been a truck driver for the last 30 years. :icon_cheers:

Ozwynn · Jan 26, 2014

who you think you talking to? I pulled my 40 footer with an extended wb 2002 International 9900ix.

I was 70' from front bumper to the rear of the trailer articulated 30' from the front. I may not have had 30 years otr, but I did 15 years and not quite 2 million miles. The "Old Man" pulls his 40 footer with a 40' Freightliner Cabover and puts his rig in some tight spaces in parks along the oregon coast.

if you had watched the backing video you would see it actually allows you to turn the trailer tighter using less space...... and he was blind side backing it.

anyways its basically just a locked steerable tag axle that has an auto un-lock feature for tight turning and backing.

wildbill23c · Jan 26, 2014

This is a setup that is used by people trying to tow huge 5th wheels behind their 1/4 ton trucks.

I've seen one of these dolly hitches in use once, and was scratching my head why they bothered since they had an F-350 Dually. The only plus I see to it would be so you could still use your truck bed for hauling while still being able to tow your 5th wheel. One thing would be those who haul their ATV, put the ATV in the truck bed, and hook up the 5th wheel.

85_Ranger4x4 · Jan 27, 2014

BDAB said:
who you think you talking to? I pulled my 40 footer with an extended wb 2002 International 9900ix.

I was 70' from front bumper to the rear of the trailer articulated 30' from the front. I may not have had 30 years otr, but I did 15 years and not quite 2 million miles. The "Old Man" pulls his 40 footer with a 40' Freightliner Cabover and puts his rig in some tight spaces in parks along the oregon coast.

if you had watched the backing video you would see it actually allows you to turn the trailer tighter using less space...... and he was blind side backing it.

anyways its basically just a locked steerable tag axle that has an auto un-lock feature for tight turning and backing.

That is wonderfully impressive but fails to touch on how to land say a 40' long rig into a 35' camping spot like what Dune Ranger was getting at.

There are maybe a couple spots big enough at the local state park that would take your 70' mobile home. There are places the extra length will be a PITA.

One solution I have seen if it isn't too, too long is a lot of people unhook their trucks if the are going to be there awhile... but you still have it hanging out in the road until you get unhooked.

And that is why I like my tent :icon_thumby:

5th wheelers; heres something neat:

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