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Old 03-29-2015, 04:40 AM   #1
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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.
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Old 03-29-2015, 07:26 AM   #2
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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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Old 03-29-2015, 08:44 AM   #3
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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.
I could see where that could be really bad in an emergency situation.
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Old 03-29-2015, 08:53 AM   #4
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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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Old 03-29-2015, 09:17 AM   #5
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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?
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Old 03-29-2015, 09:50 AM   #6
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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
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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Old 03-29-2015, 11:09 AM   #7
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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.
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Old 03-29-2015, 01:06 PM   #8
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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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Old 03-29-2015, 01:34 PM   #9
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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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Old 03-29-2015, 01:56 PM   #10
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The unit comes with either a goose neck ball or the standard 5 th wheel hitch.
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Old 03-29-2015, 04:34 PM   #11
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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.
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'.
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Old 03-29-2015, 04:40 PM   #12
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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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Old 03-29-2015, 04:47 PM   #13
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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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Old 03-30-2015, 08:09 AM   #14
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Not the dumbest thing I've ever seen, but pretty close.
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Old 03-30-2015, 09:33 AM   #15
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Apparently they have been around a while. Anyone ever see the movie "The Long Long Trailer".
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Old 03-30-2015, 02:06 PM   #16
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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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