Recommended 5th wheel plate change for my truck?

Hey I have a question if you don't mind me piggy bagging your topic so I don't have to start a new one. I'm hunting 5th wheels as well. So I'll be watching this topic.
My dad has a 20k Reese 5th wheel that is brand new never used. It has a 20k lbs rating but only 5k lbs vertical. Does that mean you could only have 5k lbs on the axle with that vertical rating?

 

Do you know if anyone makes the mounting plate like that that also has a gooseneck ball built into it? I know I've seen them on trucks but I dunno if they are custom or if someone makes them.

btw have you seen this one? It's pretty wide so should be stable.

https://www.amazon.com/Fifth-Wheel-...ds=Tulga+Fifth+Wheel+Co&qid=1594239616&sr=8-7

 

Correct. So 5,000lbs down force (pin weight) from the trailer that the apron applies to the 5th wheel top plate.

So you would need to scale bobtail, see what the rear axle weighs.
Example would be.
If the rear weighs 3500lbs bobtail, should go no higher than 8500lb gross rear axle weight. If that makes sense..

 

Yeah, they want almost $500 for a basic plate that doesn't even fit my truck without drilling. I'll probably end up building my own.

 

Not trying to discourage you from building your mounting plate. Just overbuild the crap out of it. If you are ever in an accident, especially an injury or fatality, they love to pick over your rig to put any blame possible on the big bad trucks. Just make dang sure it will keep together in a bad wreck. That's one benefit of buying, will take some of the liability off of you..

You could also checkout a wrecking yard. If you don't need it to slide, maybe grab a stationary mount off a semi. Your f550 C&C should have ~34" frame rail spacing. Measure it, then find a wreck with the same rail spacing. Could be cheaper than the materials alone to build yourself one, then attach brand new 5th wheel to that mount.?

Just an idea..

 

I doubt you will be able to get a 3/4" steel plate that size made to order from a local fabrication shop and powder coated for any less than that. This project will almost certainly involve either drilling or welding

Just out of curiosity did you buy your truck already completed or did you buy it as a bare frame and work with Hitchcrafters yourself on the upfit?

 

I am not sure what the fixed mounting legs look like on a full sized Holland 5th wheel, but that would be interesting to see if it were possible to adapt it to a smaller cab and chassis. The frame width is the same as you point out. I know they are bolted to the frames on big trucks but cant picture how it looks. I know Vander Haags sells used ones pretty reasonably. They are awesome for used big truck parts, ive even been to a couple of their locations in Iowa.

 

$345 bucks
Could harvest all the mounting hardware, probably still sell the 5th wheel for $350.?
Or if weight isn't a major concern just use the whole shebang..