Weight Police is in trouble now

The trailer suspension is the weak part for RV fifth wheel trailers. Most manufacturers put the bare minimum suspension which in includes flimsy hangers, grade 3 half inch bolts, minimal springs, minimal wheel bearing and last but not least minimal brakes. This new towing product does not help with the trailer suspension, but helps for allowing the trailer to track the TV. The only disadvantage I can see with this product is it increase the gross combined weight and increase the total length. Also the cost is $10,000 so one needs to consider if the cost is worth the advantages. One still needs a 1 ton truck to tow a 16,000 GVW trailer because of the GCW. A F350 GCW would be out of specification with this additional towing device with a 16000 lb trailer.

As a Class A driver, I can say with a fair amount of confidence that there is a reason why 8 tires are underneath a trailer that weighs up to 25 tons...cause you have to have the proper base under that weight, a base that is the rear of the tow vehicle, with that weight on those driven wheels to hopefully safely control all of that combination vehicle, 80,000 pounds, in ANY driving circumstances. Even in doubles the lighter trailer is the second one.

Isn't the whole point of a fiver over a TT to have that big solid hitch squarely riding over the load bearing center of the TV?

The laws of physics in regards to mass and motion will not change if a person wants to haul more stuff in his SUV. God be with you Sir.

I admit my experience towing things does not yet include a fiver, but when that day comes (hopefully next year) a DRW diesel will be the only tow vehicle I will trust with my family.

For those interested, worth a read... Funny how the author notes the ignorance sometimes found in forums...

http://fifthwheelst.com/automated-safety-hitch-system.html

You just knew this was going to pop up!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sHmDxwZlXQ

A dually does is not something I would consider, and my trailer selection is based on what a 1ton SRW will pull. I would also like to know what the weight of this Safety hitch is, to make sure I am not beyond the combined weight of the truck.

This safety hitch has its merits. I wonder what the entire vehicle length is. Some roads and states limit the total vehicle length which could be something consider. Otherwise this looks like something that is worthwhile and cost benefit is my consideration.

Hmmmm. I wonder....... :)

glazier wrote:
The cost of the dolly must be very high, looks like it's well built. I bet it would handle good, I think it's a great idea.

With the 5th wheel head it is just over $10k.

The cost of the dolly must be very high, looks like it's well built. I bet it would handle good, I think it's a great idea.

I had a great conversation today with Joe, the owner/inventor of the Automated Safety Hitch. This thread has been all over the place, but going waaaay back to the original post, the photo, if anyone is interested, that was a 2500 Suburban with hd tow package and a diesel conversion.