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03-29-2015, 04:40 AM
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#1
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Winchester, ON
Posts: 1,177
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Unique hitching method for fifth wheels
Here is a different way to tow a fifth wheel:
The Automated Safety Hitch | Trailer Hitch | Gooseneck Horse Trailers | 5th Wheel RVs | Flatbed Goosenecks | Fifth Wheel
We saw one in a campground we stayed at in Florida. The owner said it has many advantages, like more room in the pick-up, the trailer follows the truck exactly and does not cut the corner, and easier maneuverability. He told me there are only about 300 - 400 in existence as this is a new product. He told me he paid about $9,000 for it but expects the price to go down after it gets more widely marketed and produced.
It does make for a longer rig however. This guy was towing a very large toy hauler (he hauls a small car in it) and told me the total length of his rig is 71 feet.
This hitch thing has its own winch system so if your trailer gets stuck you can use it to pull it out by using a stationary object to loop it around.
I found it quite interesting, although not enough to want to run out and buy one.
__________________
2012 Cruiser Sahara 330SS
2015 F250 Super Duty diesel
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03-29-2015, 07:26 AM
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#2
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2013
Location: So IL
Posts: 1,811
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$9000. Ouch. Looks like a neat idea. One thing that stood out to me as a potential problem was the turning axle. You have to turn on your turn signals and they have to blink 4 times which releases the lock allowing it to turn? The electrical connection can be problematic at times as it is, let alone dangerous if you could not turn. Something got to give.
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Tim
13 ST25RB
08 F-250 SC 6.8L XLT 4x4
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03-29-2015, 08:44 AM
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#3
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mebane, NC
Posts: 2,394
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim D
$9000. Ouch. Looks like a neat idea. One thing that stood out to me as a potential problem was the turning axle. You have to turn on your turn signals and they have to blink 4 times which releases the lock allowing it to turn? The electrical connection can be problematic at times as it is, let alone dangerous if you could not turn. Something got to give.
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I could see where that could be really bad in an emergency situation.
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2014 Chevy Silverado 3500 SRW Duramax
2011 Zinger ZT26BL-sold
2014 Sabre 34REQS
***Member of the Mason-Dixon Group***
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03-29-2015, 08:53 AM
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#4
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 393
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I saw a similar setup back in 2008 in Yuma, Arizona. The guy had a 4 wheeler in the bed of his long box.
I do not believe his unit had a steerable axle thus had to skid the tires in a tight turn.
Probably why we have never seen very many of them.
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03-29-2015, 09:17 AM
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#5
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 581
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It looks to me like if the room in the back of the truck is that important to you, why not just buy a travel trailer instead of a fifth wheel?
__________________
Mike in Tennessee
2007 Cruiser 30QB
2008 Ford F250 Lariat 4x4 6.4 Powerstroke
Valley 16K slider
Ride-Rite air bags
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03-29-2015, 09:50 AM
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#6
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,766
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike06081969
It looks to me like if the room in the back of the truck is that important to you, why not just buy a travel trailer instead of a fifth wheel?
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Mike
I pretty sure it is going to be "The Best Of Both Worlds' thing...
I look at the posibility of towing a much heavier 5er without having to go to a 1 ton vehicle...I know there are several people on this forum that are towing 5er's with an Eco-boost Ford...With this trailer they would Not have to beef up the rear suspension...
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Rosie & Tommy
Coatesville Pa.
2017 Ford F350 Lariat Power Stoke DW
2022 Alliance Avenue 32RLS
In God We Trust
A proud member of the one percent...Semper Fi
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03-29-2015, 11:09 AM
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#7
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,508
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Too expensive plus much longer unit overall. What happens in a panic stop, evasive maneuvering, etc.? Maybe like a tandem semi trailer setup with things going all different directions. No thanks.
__________________
Larry Day
Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders member since '01
13 Silverado 3500HD D/A, 2wd CCSB srw, custom RKI bed
11 Cruiser CF32MK
https://www.picturetrail.com/dayle1
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03-29-2015, 01:06 PM
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#8
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 393
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The unit behind the truck is attached solid to the truck. There is no pivot side to side. (The reason for the steerable axle) There is up and down like a door hinge.
The unit has brakes.
I would expect it would be as stable if not more so than a bumper pull trailer in emergency stops or evasive maneuvering.
It is nothing like the second trailer behind a semi trailer.
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03-29-2015, 01:34 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,715
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Don't forget that some manufacturers will void the trailer warranty if you use a gooseneck adapter. So if your trailer is still under warranty that would be the first concern. Ask the manufacturer about it.
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Mark & Susan
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS - '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension
Member - "Northeast Adventures RV Rally Group" & "Mason-Dixon Bunch"
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03-29-2015, 01:56 PM
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#10
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 393
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The unit comes with either a goose neck ball or the standard 5 th wheel hitch.
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03-29-2015, 04:34 PM
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#11
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rcflyer
The unit behind the truck is attached solid to the truck. There is no pivot side to side. (The reason for the steerable axle) There is up and down like a door hinge.
The unit has brakes.
I would expect it would be as stable if not more so than a bumper pull trailer in emergency stops or evasive maneuvering.
It is nothing like the second trailer behind a semi trailer.
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The attachment to the truck can hinge up or down with a pivot point maybe 25 inches off the ground. Meanwhile, the fiver king pin is about twice that height. So IMHO, this little unit can easily jack-knife vertically.
The brakes on the unit can't be set too aggressively, either vertical jack-knife again or tire lockup since the only weight on it is the king pin weight. Finally, because it cannot pivot sideways relative to the truck, it becomes a lever acting on the trucks suspension just like a TT, another 'tail wagging the dog', maybe worse since distance from the truck's rear axle is more than the usual TT and a fiver has more 'sail area'.
__________________
Larry Day
Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders member since '01
13 Silverado 3500HD D/A, 2wd CCSB srw, custom RKI bed
11 Cruiser CF32MK
https://www.picturetrail.com/dayle1
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03-29-2015, 04:40 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,715
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Too expensive and too many potential problems, IMHO: Take the 9 grand and put it towards a better truck.
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Mark & Susan
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS - '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension
Member - "Northeast Adventures RV Rally Group" & "Mason-Dixon Bunch"
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03-29-2015, 04:47 PM
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#13
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: , RI
Posts: 1,164
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Yes it is interesting and in the long run probably more pros than cons. I am sure a lot of feasibility went into it but $9000 I just can't warrant that expenditure. That will buy a lot of travel fuel. A 5th wheel hitch works just fine.
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Al Laura (Lily & Breeze Portie Girls)
2011 F250 6.7 PS Tuxedo Black 4x4
11 305SKP- TPMS- RideRite air bags
Reese 16K Slider Wet Bolts
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03-30-2015, 08:09 AM
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#14
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Uhhiya
Posts: 96
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Not the dumbest thing I've ever seen, but pretty close.
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2013 Z-1 251BH | 2011 Nissan Armada | Curt WD hitch with no sway control
2014: 20 Nights & 1338 Miles
2013: 23 Nights & 1200 Miles
2012: 10 Nights & 254 Miles
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03-30-2015, 09:33 AM
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#15
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ohio
Posts: 356
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Apparently they have been around a while. Anyone ever see the movie "The Long Long Trailer".
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hondavalk
2008 Tundra 5.7L
2013 ST29SS
Reese DC
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03-30-2015, 02:06 PM
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#16
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Farmington MI
Posts: 61
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Mr. Truck did an extensive review of this device. For people that need a SUV for three rows of seating or don't want to buy a dedicated tow vehicle, it looks like a great solution. That remote winch out feature looks pretty cool, too.
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2013 Sunset Trail 29SS
2006 Ford F350 6.0 Diesel
ProPride 3P Hitch
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