Re: Re: follow up on 5th wheel hitch location

Posted by john in la on July 04, 2004 at 10:34:49 from (65.6.106.73):

In Reply to: Re: follow up on 5th wheel hitch location posted by Duane on July 04, 2004 at 07:53:26:

Boy you are in a hornet nest now!!!!!!!!!

If Ford can not back up this directive with some data I think you need to go after Ford. The trailer hitch place was doing what they were told to do per Ford the maker of your truck. In fact if holes were not drilled in frame to install your claim may be with the manufacture of the hitch. If it is bolted in pre existing holes it can only be mounted in one spot. If holes were drilled I would like to see the instructions that came with this hitch. Hitch manufactures have researched all models to make sure their placement will distribute the weight properly.

Now with that said I can not believe that this directive is real. You may have a copy but does it look authentic from Ford. The reason I ask this is NO ONE!!! I MEAN NO ONE!!! can tell you where to place your 5th wheel.
Unless Ford has some manufacture flaw that does not allow frame to stand up with 5th wheel in another spot they should not care.
The DOT does not care as long as your weight is correct per axle.
Look at large trucks. The 5th wheel is on a slide that moves about 2 ft front to back. From center of two axles to center of front axel. Moving it 2" moves about 1% of the trailer weight. So a 50,000 lb trailer moved 2" or one notch moves 500 lbs from back to front axle.

Things that need to be considered with a 5th wheel.
Does the trailer hit your cab? This is why they make slide units for pickups. So you can slide it up for travel and back for parking.
The amount of weight on your front and rear axle. This is the most important thing. Centered on the axle will give the best ride but may not move enough weight forward to front axle. Moving it behind the axle is sure to make the front end lighter. The weight of trailer has nothing to do with where 5th wheel goes. This is covered under GVWR and placement of trailer axles.

You really need to weight this unit before you call Ford so you know what you are talking about. Take it to a truck stop and weigh the entire rig. ($8.00) Then pull around back and drop trailer and reweigh truck only. (1.00 for reweighs) Now compare the two tickets. This will tell you every thing you need to know. It will show you if your front end is getting lighter and by how much. It will tell you if the load is distributed over the truck correctly.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Re: Re: follow up on 5th wheel hitch location Duane 15:32:59 07/04/04 (0)

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