Semi to haul

[Bradycall]

I'm considering buying a fifth wheel camper and if use a peterbilt to pull it. What is the height of a typical fifth wheel RV kingpin?

[Second_Chance]

There's an HDT (heavy-duty truck) sub-forum over on the Escapees RV Club forums. Lots of guys over there have been pulling large (like 20K+ lbs.) fifth wheels with medium- and heavy-duty trucks for years. They are happy to share their knowledge and experience.

Rob

[JIMNLIN]

Neither did our older 5th wheel rv hitches. All we had was fore and aft articulation.
I've owned a couple of 5th wheel rv hitches with fore and aft only.

Side to side articulation 5th wheel rv hitches came around in the '90s era.

Some folks didn't like the side to side articulation.......so one mfg added a lock out device which IMO was silly to begin with.

JMO but there is no industry std 5th wheel hitch height over the years. Now one mfg may shoot for a particular height number.

[john_bet]

Most of the ones I have seen the hitch for the 5th wheel is aft of the axle and lower between the frame rails. They did not use the standard semi hitch in the standard position.

[SidecarFlip]

chiefneon wrote:
Howdy!

The problem with a commercial class 8 hitch is it doesn't articulate side to side which can cause damage to the structure of the 5er.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

Thank you.....

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

The problem with a commercial class 8 hitch is it doesn't articulate side to side which can cause damage to the structure of the 5er.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

[rjstractor]

SidecarFlip wrote:
Don't matter. a Class 8 fifth wheel and a 5er king pin are 2 different animals. You'll need to remove the fifth wheel and replace it with an RV fifth wheel. There are other issues as well. especially brakes.

A fifth wheel RV can be pulled from a class 8 fifth wheel. I've seen it done numerous times. The brake issue is a simple one- install a brake controller just like you would with a pickup. The connector plug is different too, but it's not a big deal to either use a converter plug or install an RV-type 7-pin plug. Like Chris mentioned though, an air ride fifth wheel is a good idea if the truck itself doesn't have air suspension. An RV's very light pin weight on a spring suspension will give the RV one heck of a shaking.

[Me_Again]

SidecarFlip wrote:
Don't matter. a Class 8 fifth wheel and a 5er king pin are 2 different animals. You'll need to remove the fifth wheel and replace it with an RV fifth wheel. There are other issues as well. especially brakes.

Say what? Not true! However you would want a air ride hitch. Chris

[SidecarFlip]

Don't matter. a Class 8 fifth wheel and a 5er king pin are 2 different animals. You'll need to remove the fifth wheel and replace it with an RV fifth wheel. There are other issues as well. especially brakes.

[Dayle1]

Bradycall wrote:
I'm considering buying a fifth wheel camper and if use a peterbilt to pull it. What is the height of a typical fifth wheel RV kingpin?

The historical height is 46-47 inches to the king pin plate with the fiver level. Used to be included in the brochure specs on many fifth wheels. No one publishes it any more. Some brands may be higher today but all of my fivers have still been at that number.

[Lwiddis]

Generally buy or select the 5er/TT first then match a TV to it.