5th Wheel Hitch Placement - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

coyote · 12-27-2010, 03:39 PM

Thinking of going medium duty with a flatbed, but my question is that I want to use the flatbed to hold my crawler but still pull a 5th wheel hitch but mount it behind the axle...any issues with this? I've heard that I might have issues.....

Harold Phipps · 12-27-2010, 09:06 PM

Depends how heavy the front axle on the medium duty weighs, and how much hitch weight the 5th will have on it.
With a 1 ton, no way!
With a medium duty, sometimes OK, with full size semi, not as much of an issue.
Any time the hitch is behind the axle CL it will take weight off the steer axle, and it'll be worse at "take off".
No matter what the hitch is on and pulls the 5th wheel or goose, it is BEST to have the hitch ahead of the axle CL.
As the PBB says, depends on how many orphans and nuns you feel fine killing,,,,

Soundguy · 12-27-2010, 09:29 PM

I wouldn't waste the time to mount a 5th wheel behind the axle on something like a 1 ton truck if you're planning on pulling a decent size trailer, that defeats the purpose of having a 5th wheel trailer because your front/rear weight dist. will be all screwed up.

coyote · 12-28-2010, 07:06 AM

nah it's a light weight trailer, less then 5k...but I understand what your saying...limited weigth will be removed from the front axle....planning first so as to not kill anyone and be safe....

crashnzuk · 12-28-2010, 12:13 PM

I would think it more depends on axle placement in relation to the hitch. If the axle is closer to the rear it will be better.
Travis..

brian4wd · 12-28-2010, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyote

nah it's a light weight trailer, less then 5k...but I understand what your saying...limited weigth will be removed from the front axle....planning first so as to not kill anyone and be safe....

A loaded 5th wheel - RV or equipment trailer - that weighs less than 5K?

Brian

85blue4runner · 12-28-2010, 08:45 PM

the further behind the axle centerline you mount the fifth wheel hitch, the more that trailer will act like a bumper pull when turning and tracking... now dont take this to the extreme and mount it three feet behind your axle (unless you have a semi) but a small amount would be ok.

How far behind the axle do you need it to be in order to load the rig and pull the trailer at the same time? that may be the deciding factor along with truck and axle ratings.

coyote · 12-29-2010, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian4wd

A loaded 5th wheel - RV or equipment trailer - that weighs less than 5K?

Brian

Yep...it's only 15' long rv....currently towed by a 1/2 ton chevy and you can't even tell it's back there...

Just wanted to do my research first but it looks doable....safely....

nightcrawlers · 12-29-2010, 11:48 AM

i dont think youve anything to worry about with a heavy MDT.i know youre gonna be alittle different with a rig on a flatbed,but i think youll have alot less pinweight behind the axle than these guys

angryblack · 12-30-2010, 06:58 PM

Is there some sorta mathematical equation for this.. Is been on my mind as my camper rebuild went well but there is more rot that we didnt fix.Im thinking of taking out the appliances and building a ox/cabin/sleeper thing on the back of our uhualer.Then put a gooseneck behind the axle about 24" from the axle centerline

12-27-2010, 03:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
coyote Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 170 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 2,548	5th Wheel Hitch Placement Thinking of going medium duty with a flatbed, but my question is that I want to use the flatbed to hold my crawler but still pull a 5th wheel hitch but mount it behind the axle...any issues with this? I've heard that I might have issues..... __________________ Red Racer I Toyota FJ62

12-28-2010, 07:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
coyote Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 170 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 2,548	nah it's a light weight trailer, less then 5k...but I understand what your saying...limited weigth will be removed from the front axle....planning first so as to not kill anyone and be safe.... __________________ Red Racer I Toyota FJ62

12-28-2010, 12:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
crashnzuk Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Member # 17632 Location: West Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,418	I would think it more depends on axle placement in relation to the hitch. If the axle is closer to the rear it will be better. Travis.. __________________ 74 Ramcharger, 360, 4spd, 60/70 on 37s 91.5 Dodge 6BT 5 spd tow rig

12-29-2010, 11:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
nightcrawlers Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Member # 72000 Location: dayton,oh Posts: 1,226	i dont think youve anything to worry about with a heavy MDT.i know youre gonna be alittle different with a rig on a flatbed,but i think youll have alot less pinweight behind the axle than these guys __________________ scotty 85 grand waggoneer(what's left of it) 77 scout II truggy 84 chevy home made crewcab Delightfully Tacky,Yet Unrefined Last edited by nightcrawlers; 12-29-2010 at 11:49 AM.

12-30-2010, 06:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
angryblack Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Sep 2009 Member # 142394 Location: Do or die bed stuy brooklyn Posts: 2,526	Is there some sorta mathematical equation for this.. Is been on my mind as my camper rebuild went well but there is more rot that we didnt fix.Im thinking of taking out the appliances and building a ox/cabin/sleeper thing on the back of our uhualer.Then put a gooseneck behind the axle about 24" from the axle centerline __________________ Unfortunately there is no end to human stupidity -- making things foolproof only creates more ingenious fools

12-27-2010, 09:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Harold Phipps Rock God Join Date: Feb 2009 Member # 130003 Location: Polk City, Iowa Posts: 1,435	Depends how heavy the front axle on the medium duty weighs, and how much hitch weight the 5th will have on it. With a 1 ton, no way! With a medium duty, sometimes OK, with full size semi, not as much of an issue. Any time the hitch is behind the axle CL it will take weight off the steer axle, and it'll be worse at "take off". No matter what the hitch is on and pulls the 5th wheel or goose, it is BEST to have the hitch ahead of the axle CL. As the PBB says, depends on how many orphans and nuns you feel fine killing,,,,

12-27-2010, 09:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
Soundguy Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Jul 2004 Member # 32677 Location: Conroe Texas Posts: 2,513	I wouldn't waste the time to mount a 5th wheel behind the axle on something like a 1 ton truck if you're planning on pulling a decent size trailer, that defeats the purpose of having a 5th wheel trailer because your front/rear weight dist. will be all screwed up.

12-28-2010, 08:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
85blue4runner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Member # 33536 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,142	the further behind the axle centerline you mount the fifth wheel hitch, the more that trailer will act like a bumper pull when turning and tracking... now dont take this to the extreme and mount it three feet behind your axle (unless you have a semi) but a small amount would be ok. How far behind the axle do you need it to be in order to load the rig and pull the trailer at the same time? that may be the deciding factor along with truck and axle ratings.

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