Hitch Time (fifth Wheel)

[gonzo2]

Well, I now need one of those fifth wheel thingamajigs to hook up my new trailer. It's a Jazz 2780BH that weighs in around 10,000 lbs.

Jazz Website



I've got a few of questions for you TDR ace fifth wheel haulers.



1) Being a short box I assume a slider hitch is required, how often do you end up using this feature?

2) Having a 4x4 I'm a little concerned about the clearance between the top of the box and with the underside of the front of the trailer, what would a general rule be for the what to allow.

3) How usefull is the four way pivot option? I see it's available, but looking in trucks I don't see anyone using one.

4) I see on EricBu12's new beauty rig he has some sort of extension, is this for 1 & 2 above, or for someother purpose? I guess you would have to lift the rest of the trailer to match if you used it.

5) Do you need a drop down tailgate or is this an item that can be aquired later?



Any suggestions you guys can give me would be much appreciated.



New Fiver Guy

 

[Jumbo Jet]

1) If you spend the money, you can have a Pullrite Superglide. Never have to worry about the camper hitting the cab of the truck. It slides automagically. I had one on my short bed - it worked great.



2) The more the better. 6" will work. 8" is better. Watch those dips going in to parking lots off the streets.



3) 4 way pivot reduces strain on the components.



4) I couldn't understand the need for that extension. Looked like he had a Superglide hitch too.



5) Two things - they reduce turbulence in the truck box. They are cheaper than the tailgate on your truck - just ask my neighbor who somehow has managed to destroy 2 factory tailgates!



Do it right the first time. Reduces the number of holes you wind up with in the bed of your truck.

 

[Slow Six]

try to get as much clearance as possible. I am running with about 5". With this little clearance, I have to be careful but I am getting by. The dual pivot hitches in my opinion are almost a must. They make for a lot easier hitching and unhitching, especially if you buy the kind of hitch that uses a slide bar for latching. The dual pivot hitches also put less strain on everything as trailer movement is independent from truck movement. I am using a Reese dual pivot hitch and so far I really like it. The RV tailgate is not a necessity but is nice to have. You still have to be sure that the pin still clears the notch in the gate. I also find it easier to reach things in the box as these trucks are tall. Gates are the same as the hitch. You Get what you pay for. Enjoy the rig.

 

[Rockcrawler]

I just went thru this my self- spent the extra coin for the superglide. It, however, is not foolproof- On the 03's with the shortbed you can still have contact in a tight corner, but the SG is the best option going for us. Should be able to get close to 80 degrees though and I don't think you'll need that much.



I had several 5ers for 3 yrs before with my last SB, truck did fine, never had a need for the tailgate though I did consider one.

 

[Boondocker]

Pullrite

I love my Pullrite Superglide It's nice to not have to worry about whether or not I should jump out slide it. It's insurance, but not the cheap kind. I also like the fact that it is completely removable from the bed, so I can have a pickup truck and not just a tractor.

• 
  Follow the lubrication recommendations for good performance and long life.
  
  
  
  If you decide to remove the hitch, beware, they are heavy! It's a two-man job... just ask my wife!
  
  
  
  Hitching alignment is critical. The rule is less than 10 degrees between truck and trailer. You need to be fairly level too, side-loading will bind.
  
  
  
  The coupling is very tight, which makes for no hitch rattles on the road, but not too forgiving when hooking and unhooking.
  
  
  
  Once your trailer has the keyed kingpin, it can only be hitched to a Pullrite Superglide! Although the "fifth wheel" might adapt to other hitches.
  

Tailgates - I have a Handy brand that I only install when trailering. What makes it handy is that it provides a height reference. If I can clear the notch by . 5-1. 0 inches, then I'm at hitching height. If you are concerned about GVRW, then you might consider a plastic tailgate instead of steel. The stock tailgate weighs 50 lbs. , the steel Handy weighs 40 lbs, so not much savings there. It only takes one instance of forgetting to raise or lower your stock tailgate to damage it and/or the trailer. Bought mine used, cheap insurance.



As for bed clearance, I have about 8 inches. Before I took delivery of the trailer, I made sure the axles were mounted under the springs by the dealer. I think mine came this way from the factory. I'll go to slightly larger diameter tires at replacement time to bring the nose down a touch.



The bottom line is that my 9600 lb. (average weight) trailer pulls beautifully. It's my first 5th-wheel, so I don't have much frame of refernce other than it's so much more stable than either of my previous, and much lighter, travel trailers.



Regards,

Neil

 

[GaryCarter]

1- Do yourself a favor and get the slider- before you get caught in a parking lot with some idjit blocking your way. Go for the superglide if you can afford it ($2k) as it's the only automatic one.

2- More is better; 6-8 is typical. If your trailer is too low do a search for "axle flip" (puts the springs on top of the axle and raises your trailer about 5"). Most of the newer fivers are high enough for your truck from the factory.

3- saves a lot of stress on the frame and chassis. Most hitches have this now, it may not be obvious.

4- He has TWO extensions bolted together... . don't do it.

5- Depends on how good you are at paying attention- it does not matter until you forget and leave the gate up while unhitching. If you're attentive to detail you may never need one. Studies on fuel mileage show no benefit to flow through tailgates.

 

[gonzo2]

Great posts guys!



I sure have a lot to mull over.

 

[RottenRon]

Hey Gonzo, I'm also in Victoria BC and by some strange coincidence I tow a Jazz 2780BH. I'm super happy with the unit, we bought it last spring and towed to Ontario and back this summer. I'm using a Husky UBS hitch, which leaves the bed perfectly flat when removed. It's a dual rocker. I have a long box truck, so no slider. Not sure if the UBS is available in a slider for short box trucks.

 

[RRoton]

Get a slider.



I didn't want to spend that much for the "automatic slider" so I went with a manual one.

Mine is the Reese 16K. It is also 4way pivot.

Only downside is the rails are still in the bed when hitch is removed. Not a problem for me, but might be for some.

 

[SnoKing]

Check out Hijacker, they are right there in Victoria with you. SNOKING



http://www.hijacker.com/

 

[gonzo2]

Wow! More great Info.



I'm going for sure with a slider. The 24-USP-16 from Hijacker looks like it may be the one. They are local after all.



Rotten Ron, where is the husky dealer to look at the UBS?

 

[SnoKing]

Hijacker has what is called a sliding bar latch. If the handle is in, there is little question that you are hooked up correctly. I have had mine for 8 years and it is great. SNOKING

 

[RottenRon]

gonzo,



I got mine at Arbutus, wrapped into the deal for my trailer (which I assume is where you are getting your trailer). Arbutus got it installed for me using their "guy" in Sydney. Husky has a UBS (under bed system) hitch as does Reese, I believe. With the hitch out you are left with four holes in the bed, and these have a rubber cover. The bed is pretty much perfectly flat with the hitch removed. If you work in the Esquimalt area I'd be glad to show you the bed of my truck tomorrow. PM me and I'll PM you my phone number.



Ron

 

[kbarlow]

Wow! More great Info.



I'm going for sure with a slider. The 24-USP-16 from Hijacker looks like it may be the one. They are local after all.



Rotten Ron, where is the husky dealer to look at the UBS?

gonzo2



I also have the short box and went with Hijacker double pivot, slider. Cap-it on Millstream installed it and did a good job. Hijacker were devolping an auto slider last I heard.



Cheers Ken

 

[gonzo2]

Thanks for all your help everyone.



I went down to Hijacker and poked around. I'm going with the dual pivot "Ultraslide", they have a underbed system, but not in slider.



The "Guy" in Sydney (Mainline Welding) is doing the Install.



When I get back from T. O. next week I'll post the results.



Now I'll keep my eye out for tailgates.

 

[Forrest]

Now I'll keep my eye out for tailgates.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/products/index.cfm?deptID=5&subOf=125,116&prodID=1664

 

[gonzo2]

Hijacker

Well,it's in. Looks good to me. I'll try to post a pic.

 

[gonzo2]

Well, I got the trailer and hooked her up for the second tow (first was to home). I got a couple of pics, so I decided to post them.



For those thinking of switching from a pull behind trailer to a fifth wheel, they do tow as good as they say, especially on the highway. I'm still not used to how much the fiver turns into a corner but overall, when you consider this trailer is much bigger and heavier than the old one, I'm pretty pleased.



Clearance seems to be good, about 7". I find if I have the slider back when I hook up, I can see the pin right into the hitch through the rear view mirror.



All for now, Merry Christmas



Craig

 

[CLAYTON]

Well, I now need one of those fifth wheel thingamajigs to hook up my new trailer. It's a Jazz 2780BH that weighs in around 10,000 lbs.

Jazz Website



I've got a few of questions for you TDR ace fifth wheel haulers.



1) Being a short box I assume a slider hitch is required, how often do you end up using this feature?

2) Having a 4x4 I'm a little concerned about the clearance between the top of the box and with the underside of the front of the trailer, what would a general rule be for the what to allow.

3) How usefull is the four way pivot option? I see it's available, but looking in trucks I don't see anyone using one.

4) I see on EricBu12's new beauty rig he has some sort of extension, is this for 1 & 2 above, or for someother purpose? I guess you would have to lift the rest of the trailer to match if you used it.

5) Do you need a drop down tailgate or is this an item that can be aquired later?



Any suggestions you guys can give me would be much appreciated.



New Fiver Guy

I have the Jazz 2830 and I love it... there is plenty of space between the bed and the trailer. I even have bigger tires... since this pic was taken I added airbags so it doesn't sag in the back. Here is a pic. A yeah Gonzo2 great looking set up #ad

 

[tschwab]

Gonzo,



I'm in the same situation (trying to decide which hitch to buy for my short box). Think I have it narrowed down to Hitchiker & Pullrite. Would like to hear more about the "ultra glide" system with the Hitchhiker, is this something new or is this what they call their sliding system? Does anyone know how soon their fully automatic slider will be available?