Any 5th wheel hitch operate exactly like a semi 5th wheel?
I wanted to know if anyone builds a pickup truck 5th wheel hitch that operates like a semi truck 5th wheel.
In case you don't know.
A semi truck 5th wheel you pull the release lever out from the truck and it un hooks the jaws, then you pull away and your disconnected from the trailer.
To hook up you back under the 5th wheel and basically "slam" into the pin.. "slam" is such a harsh word but you basically back in, normally lifting the trailer a few inches and lock it in. At this point you do your tug test, visually inspect and your done.
************
But I find with my B&W hitch is that stupid pin and arm thing.
un pin the arm, move arm. pull away but sometimes the arm falls back so you have to pin it open, other wise you end up dragging the trailer off the blocks.
Now to hook up if its pinned open you have to unpin it, back under move arm, but sometimes it isn't closed when you "slam" back so now I wonder is the pin in the jaws or not. Maybe I'm pinning it out of the pin. and you really can't do a tug test without getting out again pining it back in truck and tugging, visual check and then your done.
But then there is the Aw @#$% as your pulling out "did I pin the arm" stop truck look get back in drive away.
I know I sound like a worry rat but after using a semi style connection the pin and arm thing is really kind of old school, labor intensive, prone to maybe damage if the arm swings closed prior to connecting, and a causes me to worry about it scenario far too much. I have to say the Semi way is WAY WAY safer as its locked or its open. no in between BS.
Sorry for the long rant.. So lets have... Am I crazy or is there a setup like I want without going to semi truck size land :)
In case you don't know.
A semi truck 5th wheel you pull the release lever out from the truck and it un hooks the jaws, then you pull away and your disconnected from the trailer.
To hook up you back under the 5th wheel and basically "slam" into the pin.. "slam" is such a harsh word but you basically back in, normally lifting the trailer a few inches and lock it in. At this point you do your tug test, visually inspect and your done.
************
But I find with my B&W hitch is that stupid pin and arm thing.
un pin the arm, move arm. pull away but sometimes the arm falls back so you have to pin it open, other wise you end up dragging the trailer off the blocks.
Now to hook up if its pinned open you have to unpin it, back under move arm, but sometimes it isn't closed when you "slam" back so now I wonder is the pin in the jaws or not. Maybe I'm pinning it out of the pin. and you really can't do a tug test without getting out again pining it back in truck and tugging, visual check and then your done.
But then there is the Aw @#$% as your pulling out "did I pin the arm" stop truck look get back in drive away.
I know I sound like a worry rat but after using a semi style connection the pin and arm thing is really kind of old school, labor intensive, prone to maybe damage if the arm swings closed prior to connecting, and a causes me to worry about it scenario far too much. I have to say the Semi way is WAY WAY safer as its locked or its open. no in between BS.
Sorry for the long rant.. So lets have... Am I crazy or is there a setup like I want without going to semi truck size land :)
