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Fifth wheel height

Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by EZ Money, Apr 28, 2016.

Page 1 of 5
  1. Apr 28, 2016 #1
    EZ Money

    EZ Money Road Train Member

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    Oct 27, 2010
    The East Side Gang,Charlotte,NC.
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    I know this has been discussed before but the truck in my sig pic is what I am asking about.
    When I am grossing 79500 my trailer is around 31400 and my steers and drives are way heavy.

    The company had no idea that tankers need taller fifth wheels and this truck is spec'd with a 46 inch from top of plate to the ground.

    What is the best way to fix this? Taller stands for the fifth wheel plate?
    From what I have been reading I see that 51 to 54 inch height is doable but how do I figure out just how high to go?
    The trailer is a 45 footer and what we haul is 8.2 pounds a gallon..

    Wondering if raising it to 50 inches would result in too much transfer to the trailer...?

    Wondering if you older hands had any way to figure weight transfer..
     
    EZ Money, Apr 28, 2016
    EZ Money, Apr 28, 2016
    #1
    Dominick253 Thanks this.
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  3. Apr 28, 2016 #2
    sawmill

    sawmill Road Train Member

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    I had the same problem at the company I used to work at. We ended up buying two peices of some heavy wall 2x6 rectangle tubing, about 30" long or however long the fifth wheel brackets are and drilling holes in it, buying longer bolts and making it a spacer between the fifth wheel and frame. We had a local steel fab shop cut it and drill all the holes for us, didn't cost much and solved the problem. Just make sure you buy grade 8 fine thread bolts. Keep in mind if you ever hook to a van you'll be over 13'6"

    Edit to add: We also lowered the air ride height on the trailers. Before we lowered it there was at least 8 inches of space between the top of the tires and the outside edge of the trailer fenders where it curves. We lowered it til there was about 4 or 5 inches of room there. The adjustment is easy to do.
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2016
    Reason for edit: edit to add
    sawmill, Apr 28, 2016
    sawmill, Apr 28, 2016
    #2
    Dominick253, EZ Money, slim shady and 1 other person Thank this.
  4. Apr 28, 2016 #3
    wstar2003

    wstar2003 Light Load Member

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    Jul 14, 2013
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    52". Don't know why but it always works.

    By the way Dana and LTC outlawed the procedure discussed in post 2. Called it an improperly modified fifth wheel assembly. The only thing they will accept is a taller OEM fifth wheel leg. That being said I ran the exact same thing on a 99 Peterbilt and never had any problems with it (square tubing under the fifth wheel plate). You could probably get away with a 50" height if you have a set back axle tractor. To answer your question I don't think there's any way 50" puts you over on the trailer.
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2016
    wstar2003, Apr 28, 2016
    wstar2003, Apr 28, 2016
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    EZ Money Thanks this.
  5. Apr 29, 2016 #4
    EZ Money

    EZ Money Road Train Member

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    The East Side Gang,Charlotte,NC.
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    Thanks for the help guys!
    Everything I have been reading is 50 to 53 inches..
    Being it is at 46 1/4 now I think 50 inches will be plenty..

    I talked to the shop today and they advised getting a thicker plate for the trailer....You would think changing the fifth wheel legs would be more cost effective...
    I guess I will see what the boss wants me to do being he writes the checks...lol!
     
    EZ Money, Apr 29, 2016
    EZ Money, Apr 29, 2016
    #4
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  7. Apr 29, 2016 #5
    Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    11R24.5 tall rubber on the tractor doesn't hurt either.......
     
    Cat sdp, Apr 29, 2016
    Cat sdp, Apr 29, 2016
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    EZ Money Thanks this.
  8. Apr 29, 2016 #6
    terryt

    terryt Heavy Load Member

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    It will NOT transfer weight either move the fifth wheel plate forward or back. Height will NOT transfer weight dont believe me do all this work you will weight the same.
     
    terryt, Apr 29, 2016
    terryt, Apr 29, 2016
    #6
  9. Apr 29, 2016 #7
    Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    If a single compartment tank trailer is not full when you put the unit on a platform scale it will....

    A higher fifth wheel will raise the front of the trailer and liquid will find dead level..... Front to back / front higher/ less liquid in front. Less weight on the drives and more weight on the trailer tandems...


    If you were hauling palletized frieght it would not change the weight

    P.S. The total weight is the same but the axle weight would be different .
     
    Cat sdp, Apr 29, 2016
    Cat sdp, Apr 29, 2016
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    EZ Money and sawmill Thank this.
  10. Apr 29, 2016 #8
    sawmill

    sawmill Road Train Member

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    You know we're discussing weight of bulk tankers here, right?
     
    sawmill, Apr 29, 2016
    sawmill, Apr 29, 2016
    #8
    ChicagoJohn, JayTee, EZ Money and 1 other person Thank this.
  11. Apr 29, 2016 #9
    terryt

    terryt Heavy Load Member

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    been pulling tanks for years go ahead do it you will see
     
    terryt, Apr 29, 2016
    terryt, Apr 29, 2016
    #9
  12. Apr 29, 2016 #10
    EZ Money

    EZ Money Road Train Member

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    Oct 27, 2010
    The East Side Gang,Charlotte,NC.
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    I don't see how it could not change axle weight...
    Lifting the nose of the trailer moves liquid more to the trailer tandems..This is a smooth bore tank.
    Loaded near gross weight I still have near 2 ft of empty space at the manhole.
    Would the liquid not roll to the rear?

    I found some old threads where some tanker outfits won't take an O/O on without a minimum of 50 inch fifth wheel height...
     
    EZ Money, Apr 29, 2016
    EZ Money, Apr 29, 2016
    #10
    sawmill Thanks this.
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