So we are purchasing this race hauler trailer. It's 50ft x 13.5ft tall, steel frame with LQ. Estimated weight 18k lbs. Here is a photo of the current hitch setup. It's what the owner calls a "mini 5th wheel hitch". They towed it with a Volvo toterhome. We want to tow it with your regular semi tractor like you'd lease from Ryder. My question is what setup is on there now and what do I need to do to convert it, so any average semi tractor can pull this?
What hitch setup is this?
Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by setter12, Jun 21, 2011.
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It is a standard 2'' kingpin. As long as you don't have clearance issues any truck with a standard fifth wheel can pull it. You will need to check the light plug also. A truck will probably only have a standard 7-way connector(round pins). I have pulled a friends travel trailer with no issues with my truck before.
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The owner said a semi would need a sliding hitch to allow enough clearance so the truck doesnt hit the trailer. That sound right?
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Yes, that's the clearance that I was talking about. You will need either a single axle truck or a tandem that will slide the center of the fifth wheel back to near the center of the rear axle.
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You will most likely have to remove the tractors mud flaps and brackets for
clearance !!!!
If you get lucky, maybe not............. -
I pull a trailer like that all the time, my 5th wheel sits right in the middle of the front and rear axle.Also, you're going to have to add a brake controller if it doesn't have air brakes or air over hydraulic brakes. I ran a separate harness to the back of the tractor and tied the brake/turn lights from the tractor taillights, trailer brake controls and hot wire for trailer. I put the RV style receptical on the rear to plug the trailer into. So I can pull any trailer and not have to worry about an adapter or rewiring anything. I also run the same mini kingpin you have there.
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Here's a few more pics to help you out. Just to give you an idea, there is 23 inches from the rear frame of the tractor to the front of the trailer, when I turn, I have about 3-4 inches between the mudflap bracket and trailer.
Where the trailer light plug is located.
And I run these mudflap hangers.
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SHO-TYME, that 5th wheel looks small. Is it the same kind I pull ordinary semi-trailers with? One of our O/O's told me he can't pull his 5th wheel camper with his bobtail because the camper's king pin is slightly smaller than the ones on the 53 foot reefers we pull.
Last edited: Jun 22, 2011
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I have saw some small 5th wheel campers with small pins as well, that may be his problem
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