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5th wheel distance

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by smugglinggoods, Aug 24, 2010.

  1. Aug 24, 2010 #1
    smugglinggoods

    smugglinggoods Light Load Member

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    Jul 22, 2010
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    Hi all
    Wondering if anyone has or knows where to get the calculations for minimum distance between hitch and sleeper. I know it could vary on pin setting on trailer but I would think there is a chart somewhere that shows it. So far I have called dealers and got lots of different answers. Hard to imagine salesman are selling trailers and dont know this stuff. Anyhow if anyone knows something about this please let me know.

    Thanks
     
    smugglinggoods, Aug 24, 2010
    smugglinggoods, Aug 24, 2010
    #1
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  3. Aug 24, 2010 #2
    RenegadeTrucker

    RenegadeTrucker Road Train Member

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    It is as simple as measuring the triangle and getting the radius of the swing.

    For instance if your trailer has a 18" set back king pin and is 102" wide, you can simply figure the radius of swing from the king pin to corner this way:

    Square root of: (102/2)^2+(18^2)= 54.08"

    Thus the Distance from the center of your king pin to the corner of the trailer is 54.08 inches, and you will want to allow another 6 - 8 inches just to allow for some clearence. So you would want about 61" from the center of your 5th wheel to the furthest rearward part of the cab/sleeper/headache rack.

    If you are running a trailer with a 36" king pin you would be looking at:

    SQRT of (102/6)^2+(36^2)= 62.43"

    Thus you will want about 69.5" to clear the corner of the trailer that is 62.43"
     
    RenegadeTrucker, Aug 24, 2010
    RenegadeTrucker, Aug 24, 2010
    #2
  4. Aug 25, 2010 #3
    Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    That's one thing I and many other drivers don't have to worry about. If we get closer to the cab, we're over on our steers. Doesn't take much.
     
    Gears, Aug 25, 2010
    Gears, Aug 25, 2010
    #3
  5. Aug 26, 2010 #4
    smugglinggoods

    smugglinggoods Light Load Member

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    Jul 22, 2010
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    Thanks for the info. I run a 48' trailer now with the pin only set back about 6". I am wanting to buy a step deck and seems like they are usually set back 18 to 24". With the 63" sleeper I have I only have 60" so I will have to be careful on which trailer I get.

    Thanks again
     
    smugglinggoods, Aug 26, 2010
    smugglinggoods, Aug 26, 2010
    #4
  7. Aug 26, 2010 #5
    HEAVY DUDE

    HEAVY DUDE Road Train Member

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    Jan 5, 2010
    NUNYA
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    6 inch pin setting? I have seen 12 but, not 6.
     
    HEAVY DUDE, Aug 26, 2010
    HEAVY DUDE, Aug 26, 2010
    #5
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