crash course in 5th wheel hitches?
I've done the whole Truck Camper thing (twice), and the Class A thing. Now I'm getting ready to try a 5th wheel next. I'm just starting to come to terms with how much I DONT know yet about 5th whe...
Forum Discussion
Here is an observation I have noticed recently going from a big TT to a similar sized 5er. You can take from this just what it is, an observation.
First off I spent a lot of time setting up my old Sprinter to tow perfect and level. It weighed just over 9K loaded up and ready to go. I would routinely run about 30# in my airbags to get it just right and more when I was loaded with ATV's or motorcycles on the flatbed. It towed straight and true for many many miles.
Fast forward to my 5er. Loaded her up for the first trip. Noticed almost NO squat and thought my kid had alread put air in my bags. Lift the cup holder to check and had 8lbs of air in the bags and the truck was perfect!! Almost no squat! Sat perfect and towed like a dream!!
I had to really sit down and think about this over a cold beverage at the camp ground. Wondering why everyone talks about TT hitch weight being so much less than 5er but my results sure looked different. After about 10 seconds it hit me. All the weight of the 5er is avtually in front of the axle and all the tongue weight of a TT is over 4 feet farther back creating some serious leverage on the truck creating much more weight even with the numbers not showing it.
You can go bat**** crazy looking at numbers some in range, some not. This one puts you over, this one seems fine. No one ever talks about leveraged weight and from my experience you could be putting WAY MORE strain on your truck with a 8K TT than with a 8 or 9K 5er
OK, guys Flame on!!!
Chris
First off I spent a lot of time setting up my old Sprinter to tow perfect and level. It weighed just over 9K loaded up and ready to go. I would routinely run about 30# in my airbags to get it just right and more when I was loaded with ATV's or motorcycles on the flatbed. It towed straight and true for many many miles.
Fast forward to my 5er. Loaded her up for the first trip. Noticed almost NO squat and thought my kid had alread put air in my bags. Lift the cup holder to check and had 8lbs of air in the bags and the truck was perfect!! Almost no squat! Sat perfect and towed like a dream!!
I had to really sit down and think about this over a cold beverage at the camp ground. Wondering why everyone talks about TT hitch weight being so much less than 5er but my results sure looked different. After about 10 seconds it hit me. All the weight of the 5er is avtually in front of the axle and all the tongue weight of a TT is over 4 feet farther back creating some serious leverage on the truck creating much more weight even with the numbers not showing it.
You can go bat**** crazy looking at numbers some in range, some not. This one puts you over, this one seems fine. No one ever talks about leveraged weight and from my experience you could be putting WAY MORE strain on your truck with a 8K TT than with a 8 or 9K 5er
OK, guys Flame on!!!
Chris
