Strong Fifth Wheel to tow doubles

[TXDSLSHOP]

I am considering buying a used FW and towing a lowboy trailer behind it with roughly 5k lbs. including the trailer. Anyone know which manufacturers have the stronger frames and which ones to avoid? Thanks, Jeremy.

 

[clem]

Strong 5th wh?

There is something happening out there that no one is talking about,5 th wheels with bedroom slide-outs. That is a big space to brace so it does not twist and move up and down. The frame is going to flex. If you look at a lot of used 5th wheels you will find they are cracking at the bottom of the slide-out opening. The interstates are hard on trailers. This is not a brand problem. That is a big hole in the side of a trailer. So when you add a load to the frame there are a lot of forces working on the pin box. All I am trying to say I guess is don't get mad when you start pulling your trailer apart and blame the MFG. of your rig. To make matters worst if your wife is like mind your are over loaded to start. Not to say anything about stopping the whole load

 

[RMcCulloch]

Originally posted by Killer59

I am considering buying a used FW and towing a lowboy trailer behind it with roughly 5k lbs. including the trailer. Anyone know which manufacturers have the stronger frames and which ones to avoid? Thanks, Jeremy.

I strongly doubt that you'll find any manufacturer that will "approve" that much weight, especially on a conventional hitch.



Of the few I've seen, all were restricted to 3500 or less.



You'd also have to bear in mind the overall length limits: In Texas (and many other states) there's a total overall [truck and all towed vehicles] of 65 feet. While an OTR rig might squeak by at a longer length because the cops overlooked it, most cops would probably measure that kind of RV setup, especially if they didn't like the concept.



FWIW, you'll find that there won't be many motorhomes that'll handle that weight, either.

 

[Dkevdog]

I have to agree with RMcCulloch, I searched for a long time about this a couple years ago when we bought our Sunnybrook. They (Sunnybrook) along with pretty much every manufacturer we inquired said they would not warrant ANY structual issues should a welded hitch be installed to the trailer rear. The frames are built to withstand the GTWR, and thats it. The biggest problem I saw was that the pinboxes are not rated for the additional weight. We wanted to tow a jeep behind the fiver, which is 30' and has a GTWR of 11,800. The pin box is clearly identified as being rated for 12,500. Wehn I weighed the rig loaded, it came in 10,850. So I guess I could safely tow an additional 1,750- althoug we'd still be over the GTWR. I see it done, but you have to wonder how much additional stress that's putting on the trailer and what it will do in the long run. The quality of the trailer build has some bearing I'm sure, and our Sunnybrrok is a tank, but we just didn't want to chance it.



Kev

 

[TXDSLSHOP]

I ended up finding a good deal on a 26. 5 foot Jayco. I didn't know the history on the trailer but I got it for $7,500 cash and it's a 2000 model with a small slide. Everything seems alright and the frame is made of decent sized square tubing. Did I get screwed? Also I have amended my plans and will now be building a lightweight square tubing trailer to haul a couple four wheelers behind the trailer so that should keep the weight down to below 2,000 lbs. Surely it's frame will handle that! What do yall think?

 

[Jetson]

I was told that it was the downward pull of tongue weight that causes problems. I was told to keep pin weight below 300lbs. The lateral pull is not supposed to be as hard on them. This is from an RV welding shop, not the dealer.

I have one of those lightweight 4x8' folding utility trailers that I have pulled a motorcycle on. But I only did it once. I do have 3 slides, one of which is rather large. I would not have bought a 5th wheel, except that I was told their frames were heavier and could handle a motorcycle carrier on the rear. If mine cracks, I guess I'll be paying to have the frame reinforced in that area.