Community Forums

Jshopes81 · 12-03-2018, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chboone

That's why you always do a test pull with the 5er wheels chocked before pulling out.

Just a suggestion, use your trailer brakes instead of chocks, two birds one stone. That way you know your brakes are functional too.

Ray,IN · 12-03-2018, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chboone

Here is a video showing the 5er up right TV on side hitch still connected but pulled out of bed.

https://youtu.be/SfEFAVF1CGQ

The video is obvious, the hitch did not fail, it pulled out of the truck-bed. That indicates improper installation IMO.

Ray,IN · 12-03-2018, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark N.

This was a separation and was NOT a gooseneck. Unfortunately the driver died. This hitch broke after the rig left the pavement. The trailer didn't even tip over

Yes it was a separation, but the hitch did not fail the pin box is still attached. The trailer brakes ripped off the tailgate when the breakaway switch was activated due to pin box failure. That's what a magnified picture shows.

Ray,IN · 12-03-2018, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lionrampant

Chains are not required on a standard king pin type fifth wheel hitch in California, or any other state of which I'm aware. Goose necks do require chains, however.

Correct! All states have the same requirements. A fifth-wheel hitch is the strongest hitch in use, that's why ALL semi-tractor trailers use a fifth wheel pin hitch.
beekeeperva needs to re-read states laws. All ball-type hitches require safety chains; fifth wheel pin hitches DO NOT.

bobca1 · 12-03-2018, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drwwicks

No way was it "enough truck. I have had a late model F-250 Lariat diesel and the cargo capacity was a puny 2000#. That toy-hauler probably grossed at 18-20K. Figure 20% pin weight and it's way overloaded. Put the lift kit, "dirt tires' and capacity is further diminished. But I'm sure he looked cool pulling into the campground with that rig. Oh wait, he didn't make it.

Really 2K# for a F250? That seems pretty light maybe more like 3K? That could have been enough truck for this toy hauler. When it was stock... mud terrains and lift kit forget about those weight ratings! Although I do see 3/4 tons pulling triple axles in CA (and think disaster waiting to happen) this is a double axle in the video which is 13k empty and 15.5k GVWR. Speaking from experience here - I also own double axle Cyclone looks just like the one in the video. And because of that 15.5 GVWR I had to get a class A non-commercial license (in CA 5th wheel over 15k requires class A). I am towing mine with 2015 RAM 3500 SRW.

Also speaking from experience I can say the stock drum brakes on my Cyclone were terrible could barely feel them working. They would not lock even on dirt (with safety pin pulled not the brake controller). Seemed so bad I assumed they were not working right - dealer inspected and assured me they were working as designed. I found this too unsafe after couple close calls on CA freeways I quit towing until I had Titan disc brakes installed. The difference the disc brakes made for me was amazing no regrets at all spending the $$ to upgrade. Not hard for me to imagine ending up like the rig in the video if I still had the stock drum brakes.

beekeeper.va · 12-04-2018, 04:53 AM

Ray,
Sorry for the confusion. My comment was in regard to the TV rolling with the trailer due to the TV's weight. I tow with a Volvo VNL road tractor. I tried to upload a picture but it did not work.

chunker · 12-04-2018, 09:36 AM

[QUOTE=bobca1;4527821]Really 2K# for a F250? That seems pretty light maybe more like 3K? That could have been enough truck for this toy hauler.

To be exact the 2016 F-250 super duty crew cab 4 WD, Lariat was 2074 cargo capacity. Yes puny. I made the deal, it was used, long distance and didn't check the capacity before buying. My big mistake. Current Ram has 4207#. That's more than enough for what I have or will get in the future.

Stanley.13 · 12-08-2018, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jshopes81

If youre referring to the video no amount of truck can fix a botched install. No the truck is not enough for that trailer but that would have done that to a 5500 series.

Yep! Yep hitch was not installed right.

LargeMarge · 12-23-2018, 11:58 PM

We read all the responses. We are flabbergasted. We had no idea this is a problem.

On our 1997 Ford CF8000 housetruck, I welded D-rings on the frame of the rig and the toy-hauler I built on a commercial chassis.

Our tow-chains for the fifth-wheel hitch are 3/8-inch. The D-rings are rated at 12,000# each, the chain I used for the two tow-chains is rated at 12,000#.

Folks, we full-timed all over north and south America. This is the first we heard about hitch failures leading to roll-overs of the towing or towed vehicle.

Our Expedition Vehicle weighs 14,000#, our toy-hauler maxs at 12,000#. Did I over-build my safety connections... potentially leading to catastrophic destruction in the event of a detachment?

I intended for a hitch failure to simply drop the pin-box onto the frame. No big deal. This thread has us re-thinking our entire plan!

packnrat · 12-31-2018, 06:25 PM

a fiver can roll with the tow still on it’s wheels . I have seen with my own eyes.
The rig jackknifed last east bound hairpin turn on sonor a pass. please keep your rvs off this pass. very tight, steep, narrow road.
He hit the corner going too fast, his brakes had failed due to over heating.