Can a 5th wheel be backed into a loading dock?

[RoyBell]

This may be a strange question, but I will be keeping my 5th wheel in my loading dock. Would I have any issues with the slope? It's approx 40' long @ 6 degree slope. I don't have the 5th wheel yet, so I am unfamiliar with how out of level it can be while still attached to the truck before it drags it's levelers or crushes my tailgate/walls.

[jffnkrn]

i would agree, the main issue is stopping at eh end and of course the transition from level to slope. it looks a lot less than alot of goofy areas we have been in with our 33 foot. just keep a close eye on it and looks like it will work out. Do you have a friend with one that can help do a dry run before you go and buy one

[rhagfo]

Looking at the picture I have gone over many driveway lip much steeper than that. Your biggest issue is the transit from flat to slope and I don’t see that being that steep.
As mention measure your 5er hitched height and the door height.

[packnrat]

pending on your set up, does not look too bad in the photos. but i would build up leveling blocks for the rv's tires. and be ready to drop the nose very low.
but if all works, then you will have a better secure place to park.
just also build in a set of fixed rear tire blocks to keep your rig from hitting the dock.

[garyp4951]

I hope you have a drain inlet in there somewhere.

[mtofell1]

Every trailer is different but mine is pretty low in the back (and the nose is a few inches high). My biggest challenge would be keeping the rear bumper and jacks from dragging. From the pictures and what I can envision using online slope calculators it looks like most trailers would be okay. A 3 degree slope is pretty minor (some may be thinking of 3%).

[JRscooby]

From the pic it looks like your transitions are not a problem. But you better watch your length close. Back in stop with back of trailer near the dock high bumpers. To unhook, you will need to lift front more than normal. As you lift the front, back up high, will move back...

[RoyBell]

CA Traveler wrote:
With the 5er low point height and distance to the wheels, clearance is a easy calculation with online trig calculators.

Otherwise I'd block the TV rear wheels if necessary.

I googled trig calculator. I have no idea what any of that means :(. I am good with numbers, but apparently not trig numbers and calculations.

[CA_Traveler]

For 15' fore or aft of the 5er wheels to the low points you'll need 19" of clearance plus some margin.

[bpounds]

Every dock ramp I've seen has at least some level portion at the bottom next to the dock.

Would need more info about the dock ramp and your fiver to be totally sure by doing the math, but my best guess is you won't have an issue.

The trick is going to be to run your landing gear out as far as you can before you drop the telescoping legs. Because you will need all of that travel to drop the nose down for leveling. Hitching and unhitching won't be a problem if you do that.

Also, unless you must run the fridge, you don't have to be level for storage. You can also use ramping blocks under the wheels if necessary.

On Edit, didn't realize we were talking about an indoor dock.

[RoyBell]

4x4ord wrote:
I take it your ramp is dropping off at a 6 degree angle. So it drops off about 4 feet over its 40 foot length.... in other words at the rate of about 1:10. So assuming your kingpin is 40 inches in front of your tailgate you shouldn't have clearance issues so long as you have over 4" of clearance above the tailgate on level ground.

If the ramp is going up at 6 degrees rather than down and the centre of the axles is 16 feet ahead of the rear of the trailer the ramp will rise 1.6 inches over that 16 feet.... so you won't have to worry about your leveling jacks dragging.

Yes, exactly. 4' drop @ 40'. However, now that I am actually looking at it, the point of the garage entrance is actually lower than grade by a foot or so. So approx 3' of drop over that 40' is only 4 degrees. There's a slight slop outside before it hits the garage entrance and breaks a little steeper.

Garage is 39'3" from the dock bumpers to the door. The bottom of the lintel is exactly 13'11" on both sides of the opening





My approx measurements based on center of axles and pictures of where the axles are.



I really like the 351M as well. But @ 38'9" that's cutting it pretty close to fitting in the dock with the door shut.

[CA_Traveler]

With the 5er low point height and distance to the wheels, clearance is a easy calculation with online trig calculators.

Otherwise I'd block the TV rear wheels if necessary.

[4x4ord]

I take it your ramp is dropping off at a 6 degree angle. So it drops off about 4 feet over its 40 foot length.... in other words at the rate of about 1:10. So assuming your kingpin is 40 inches in front of your tailgate you shouldn't have clearance issues so long as you have over 4" of clearance above the tailgate on level ground.

If the ramp is going up at 6 degrees rather than down and the centre of the axles is 16 feet ahead of the rear of the trailer the ramp will rise 1.6 inches over that 16 feet.... so you won't have to worry about your leveling jacks dragging.

[schlep1967]

RoyBell wrote:
The ones I am looking at are between 36-39' long, double axle.

Not sure the clear of the door but I think it's 14'.

Your height may be an issue. Thinking of the overhang behind the rear axle. Until the axle transition off the ramp and onto the dock the rear of the trailer will be going up.
But the rear generally is not the highest point on a 5th wheel.

[laknox]

Where you're likely going to have an issue is at the =break= from the level ground to the dock. Landing gear may hit, as well as hitting the rear of the bed. I'd give it a try, with =lots= of eyeballs watching, and see if it'll work. Hitching/unhitching will be an adventure, I'll bet.

Lyle