Noobie 5th wheel question...
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 909
Likes: 0
Noobie 5th wheel question...
Hey guys,
I have an Excursion, so I can't use (and so don't know about) 5th wheel goosneck hitches, so I have a few ?s.
•Goosneck are the ones that have the 'ball' on the truck bed, and 5th wheel are the ones that have the 'ball' on the trailer and the reciever on the truck right?
•I was just thinking about it the other day, and are 18 wheeler trailers the same 'ball' size as 5th wheel trailers? I know they have air brakes, and would be extremely heavy (the trailer axles are WAY at the back), but I was just wondering if they would physically fit.
Thanks!
Isaac
I have an Excursion, so I can't use (and so don't know about) 5th wheel goosneck hitches, so I have a few ?s.
•Goosneck are the ones that have the 'ball' on the truck bed, and 5th wheel are the ones that have the 'ball' on the trailer and the reciever on the truck right?
•I was just thinking about it the other day, and are 18 wheeler trailers the same 'ball' size as 5th wheel trailers? I know they have air brakes, and would be extremely heavy (the trailer axles are WAY at the back), but I was just wondering if they would physically fit.
Thanks!
Isaac
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
The size of the 5th wheel "pin" is the same for commercial trucks and Rv's. Some people pull their large RV's with MDT and HDT tractors, using the stock 5th wheel hitch. Most replace the stock 5th wheel with an air suspensioned hitch due to stiff truck frame/suspension tearing up the RV frame.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
I'm pretty sure a semi hitch is slightly larger than a recreational hitch...
A gooseneck does use a ball in the bed of the truck. Most livestock/flatbed trailers use a gooseneck rather than a fifth wheel system. The standard size ball is 2 5/16ths, which is the larger of the standard bumper pull ***** (1 3/4, 2, and 2 5/16). There is also a 3" gooseneck hitch, but I've never seen one before and don't really know what type of trailer would need that.
A gooseneck does use a ball in the bed of the truck. Most livestock/flatbed trailers use a gooseneck rather than a fifth wheel system. The standard size ball is 2 5/16ths, which is the larger of the standard bumper pull ***** (1 3/4, 2, and 2 5/16). There is also a 3" gooseneck hitch, but I've never seen one before and don't really know what type of trailer would need that.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 909
Likes: 0
Thanks a lot. I was just curious. It would be really cool to see someone rig up a semi-trailer to a SD pickup! Dunno what it would take to do it, but it would look pretty neat haha
Thanks again!
Isaac
Thanks again!
Isaac
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 585
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by BPofMD
I thought the plate on the "big trucks" were about twice the size of my 14K Reese. Also thought the pin is bigger too. Just my two cents worth tho....not positive.
Remember, an HDT weighs around 18K, leaving as much as 62K for trailer weight with up to 34K sitting on the hitch. Throw in some safety fudge factor and those HDT hitches are probably rated for 40K + .
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
My gooseneck (on my F150) is rated for 30k 
And that's standard! A few are only 20k, but most are at least 30k
I have seen people pull semi trailers with SD trucks
And that's standard! A few are only 20k, but most are at least 30k I have seen people pull semi trailers with SD trucks
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 909
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by grafekie
I have seen people pull semi trailers with SD trucks
BTW, what is a pin box and what is a kingpin. I see ya'll talking about 'em and I don't know what they mean lol. And I'm assuming HDT= heavy duty trailer?
thanks,
Isaac
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 3
From: Valdez, Alaska
I bet with a torch and some engineering we could make that Ex haul a 5ther.
The king pin is whats on the end of the 5ther and goes into the locking dawgs of the hitch jaws. Ok so have I confused it more? Good thing is you can convert a 5ther to gooseneck or a gooseneck to 5ther. You can also purchase above bed goosneck plates that will attach to your 5ther wheel bedrails for swapability. Bottom line, you can haul a lot more weight with gooseneck/5ther than bumper pull.
The king pin is whats on the end of the 5ther and goes into the locking dawgs of the hitch jaws. Ok so have I confused it more? Good thing is you can convert a 5ther to gooseneck or a gooseneck to 5ther. You can also purchase above bed goosneck plates that will attach to your 5ther wheel bedrails for swapability. Bottom line, you can haul a lot more weight with gooseneck/5ther than bumper pull.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 585
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by afreemanmd
BTW, what is a pin box and what is a kingpin. I see ya'll talking about 'em and I don't know what they mean lol. And I'm assuming HDT= heavy duty trailer?
thanks,
Isaac
thanks,
Isaac
Kingpin - the round pin that sticks out of the bottom of the pinbox on a fifth wheel and is welded directly to the bottom of the trailer on a commercial big rig trailer. Regardless of the type of trailer, standard is 2 inches.
HDT - Close. Heavy duty TRUCK. Big rig, semi-tractor.
MDT - Medium duty truck - bigger than a pickup, smaller than a semi. Ford F-450 to F-750 are considered medium duties. Also, Freightliner FL50 and FL60.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
Nah... bottom line isn't that you can haul more with the HITCH, bottom line is the weight of the trailer is shifted from beyond the wheelbase to over the axle. That balances the weight differently, keeping the front wheels on the ground.
You can tow a CRUDLOAD of weight with a tag-a-long trailer... those dumptrucks can haul excavators on flatbed pintle trailers. But those trucks have huge GVWR and heavy engines to balance the load.
You can tow a CRUDLOAD of weight with a tag-a-long trailer... those dumptrucks can haul excavators on flatbed pintle trailers. But those trucks have huge GVWR and heavy engines to balance the load.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post