5th wheel advice. Please help!!

I'll try...stay with me here!

 

Ok,,,that worked! Their web-site sucks.

Anyway, this is an R/V type. Look at the photo you have.....what I'm calling x-bars are the 2 rails shown below the 5th wheel assembly.
These are what the 5th whl. assy connects to. Typically the bars are bolted down to a bed. The "legs" are the part that the actual 5th whl. is mounted to, and at the bottom connects to the rails/x-bars. (just so we know what we're talikn about)

The legs on the 5th wheel assy. are too close together and would put the weight on the x-bars towards the middle of the bars. Since there's nothing under the bars between the trucks frame rails, it's my opinion that a "sub-frame"/plate needs to be under the x-bars to span the distance between the frame rails.

This ain't al bad...a piece of 1/4" steel plate cut to fit as a base-plate (for the x-rails to bolt to) extending beyond the sides of the trk. frames say 3" each side,,,would give you something to bolt to.

Now with the 3" overhang each side, a stick of 3x3" x 1/4" angle-iron would be bolted to the side of the trucks frame. This way the sub-frame for the 5th wheel would be bolted/welded to the angle iron.

NEVER drill/weld to the flange (top or bottom lip) of a truck frame! You can drill holes or weld,,,but ONLY on the web (verticle side) of the frame.

Note I'm choosing my words carefuly so please read this again! Every word matters.

I'll be here awhile or send me a pm with a phone # and I'll call ya.

 

Also,,,any steel supplier can shear the plate for you to exact size and usually won't even charge you for this. If they require you buy a full sheet (4 x 8') tell em ya want the "rems" (remnants) after they shear your plate. You bought it,,,ya might as well have it. Some yards will keep your steel. You can also ask them if they have any "rems" that you can get your part from and have them shear that for ya.

 

Guess we're done for now...got a job to finsh.
Later.

 

You should have the 5th wheel setup mounted by a professional. I know of a fellow who had an F-350. Stuck a 5th wheel on it and bought a 3 car trailer. Was hauling 3 units up to Lake Havasu on US95, a two lane. An old man had a heart attack and crossed the center line. Hit him head on. The 5th wheel broke off and the trailer cut the top of the cab off. The guy I know was seriously hurt. Luckily the guy is barely 5' tall. Had he been taller, he would not be here now. His head would have been taken off by the trailer.

 

I'd agree with you Sir,,,however I am a professional (in your Frontier phone book) and what I'm telling him above is how I'd do it. There are many other ways to do this as well but even a non-professional with a drill-motor, bits and the right bolts could DIY.

Good advice tho if he's not capable.

Notice how he said thanks?

 

Understood. Just making a point. Have seen the end result when it turns bad.