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Ideal 5th wheel plate location

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by HaulinCars, Dec 15, 2014.

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  1. Dec 15, 2014 #1
    HaulinCars

    HaulinCars Medium Load Member

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    Jan 25, 2014
    Central Florida
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    When converting a dual axle truck to a single axle where is the idea location for the 5th wheel pin to locate? Directly above center of the axle? In front of it? Behind it? If not directly over it but front/rear set, how much... and why?

    I know for most 1 ton size vehicles when you install a gooseneck or 5th wheel in the bed they tell you 4-6" in front of center of rear axle but I also know not everything from the 1 ton world transfers to the HDT/MDT world. In fact, not much does transfer so I'm asking for help here.

    Specifically this is a class 7 truck that formerly had a 20' dry box on it. I am shortening the frame (cutting off the rear excess behind the axle) and if needed will relocate the axle forward to give me the CA distance and 5th wheel plate distances / locations I need. I'll be installing a commercial 5th wheel plate assembly and hauling a 25-35,000lb trailer.

    Thank you all in advance!!
     
    HaulinCars, Dec 15, 2014
    HaulinCars, Dec 15, 2014
    #1
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  3. Dec 15, 2014 #2
    SHO-TYME

    SHO-TYME Road Train Member

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    Dahlonega, GA
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    You'd better mount it a few inches in front of the axle or it's going to be fun to drive.
     
    SHO-TYME, Dec 15, 2014
    SHO-TYME, Dec 15, 2014
    #2
  4. Dec 15, 2014 #3
    4x4_Welder

    4x4_Welder Medium Load Member

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    Sep 16, 2014
    Eastern Orygun
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    Get adjustable rails, center them over the axle, and then spend some time getting to know the local scale operators while you set it up to properly distribute the weight.
    Is this for an RV setup or an actual commercial vehicle? It sounds like an extraordinary amount of effort to turn what you have into something that you can buy already made, probably for less than you can sell a dual drive truck for.
     
    4x4_Welder, Dec 15, 2014
    4x4_Welder, Dec 15, 2014
    #3
  5. Dec 15, 2014 #4
    HaulinCars

    HaulinCars Medium Load Member

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    Jan 25, 2014
    Central Florida
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    It is for a commercial vehicle hauling cars on a car trailer with the capability to move a wide variety of different trailers as needed if the pay is right.

    Not really that big of a deal. The box is already off, 5th wheel with rails is already on hand. Moving the axle (If needed) is an 1 day job (Not including dropping the drive shaft off to be professionally shortened/balanced, cost about $150.00.)

    There are other things/issues/considerations that have gone into the project that are irrelevant to the question at hand here so I did not bother to mention them. This is the tractor that will be used in this business, it just needs a few slight modifications to be suitable for the new tasks it will be used for.

    I just need some input on proper pin location for a single rear axle tractor.

    Thanks..!
     
    HaulinCars, Dec 15, 2014
    HaulinCars, Dec 15, 2014
    #4
  7. Dec 15, 2014 #5
    4x4_Welder

    4x4_Welder Medium Load Member

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    Eastern Orygun
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    Just making sure, sometimes the best advice is to look at it from a different angle. I know it's helped me a few times.
     
    4x4_Welder, Dec 15, 2014
    4x4_Welder, Dec 15, 2014
    #5
  8. Dec 15, 2014 #6
    HaulinCars

    HaulinCars Medium Load Member

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    Jan 25, 2014
    Central Florida
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    LOL... No problem! This is the result of looking at it the entire project not only from a different angle but from outside (and inside the box)..!!
     
    HaulinCars, Dec 15, 2014
    HaulinCars, Dec 15, 2014
    #6
  9. Dec 15, 2014 #7
    Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

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    May 19, 2011
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    You'll want it ahead of the drive axle, that will put weight up on the steer axle
    Behind the drive axle will pull weight off the steer axle and would make it dangerous to drive.
     
    Oscar the KW, Dec 15, 2014
    Oscar the KW, Dec 15, 2014
    #7
  10. Dec 17, 2014 #8
    HaulinCars

    HaulinCars Medium Load Member

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    Jan 25, 2014
    Central Florida
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    Thank you guys!
     
    HaulinCars, Dec 17, 2014
    HaulinCars, Dec 17, 2014
    #8
  11. Dec 17, 2014 #9
    GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

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    Jan 7, 2013
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    We have 2 single axle high mount car haulers. They are 7 car, 6 on the trailer, 1 over the cab. Both have sliding 5th wheels they can be adjusted to dead over the axle to about 18" forward of the axle. If you're planning on running a car over the cab, a sliding 5th wheel is the only way to go. Running a car over the hood needs the 5th wheel back farther so that you don't overload the steers. If you run without a car up there, it can be dangerously light on the steers unless you slide it forward.

    If you're not running a car over the cab, then a fixed 5th wheel would be OK, but I can't tell you for sure the correct position. At my last job we have single axle Sterling day cabs and the 5th wheels were spec'd and 6" forward of the axle centerline. I'm sure the tactor wheel base is a factor there too though. You may want to check out some other trucks, maybe swing by a junk yard and find trucks with the same wheel base that you're planning and see where the 5th wheels are.
     
    GrapeApe, Dec 17, 2014
    GrapeApe, Dec 17, 2014
    #9
  12. Dec 17, 2014 #10
    Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    Oct 11, 2010
    Borispol, Ukraine
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    look at EU 4x2 trucks w/o slider and U can see that fifth wheel is located a bit forward the drive axle center, but really U cant haul tandem trailer with full load, becouse steer axle may be overloaded, so with 4x2 trucktor u need spread axle trailer ore EU tridem trailer.
     
    Pablo-UA, Dec 17, 2014
    Pablo-UA, Dec 17, 2014
    #10
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