Fifth-wheel trailers have several advantages over their conventionally towed counterparts, including resisting sway that is often caused by improper trailer loading and excessive speed. This is so, as they generally have the hitch located over the rear wheels and not far behind them. However, the fact that they need a truck to be towed is their main drawback. They can’t be moved without a hitch designed for their unique configuration.
Using a Trailer Dolly
You can use a 5th wheel trailer dolly to move your trailer. Before using the tow-dolly:
- Make sure you attach the appropriate trailer hitch and drawback hardware for the vehicle for the tow-dolly.
- The dolly should be completely secure and on level ground before the trailer is put on or taken off the dolly.
Fifth Wheel Assembly
The basic components of a fifth wheel assembly mounted in the pickup bed are:
- Fifth wheel plate- includes hitch plate, plate jaws and handle.
- Locking device- holds the plate jaws closed.
- Side rails-supports the fifth wheel plate.
The basic components of the fifth wheel assembly on the trailer are:
- Kingpin- it is the pin that attaches to the fifth wheel hitch on the truck.
- Pin box- it is attached to the bottom front section of the trailer frame (The kingpin is attached to the bottom of the pin box).
Can You Tow a Fifth Wheel without a Truck?
Fifth wheel trailers require a heavy-duty vehicle to be towed over longer distances. A conventional car doesn’t have the necessary load capacity for the weight of the trailer. This could affect its handling, transmission and can be unsafe for you and other road users. You will need to know the Gross Vehicle Weight of the trailer (GVWR), including its load and how much of that weight is on the trailer hitch, to calculate if a truck is capable of moving the trailer. Normally, there is a plate on the trailer indicating the GVWR.
For small distances, you can use a portable 5th wheel mover. These can be electric or gas powered.
Moving a fifth wheel trailer without a truck can be challenging and frustrating. With this guide, you know of the options you have next time you are in such a situation.
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