What 5th wheel do you prefer?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by TruckerPete1990, Apr 20, 2023.

  1. wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

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    CHASIN THE DEVIL'S HERD
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    I had run Holland forever rebuilt several no complaints. I made the remark I need to buy a fifth wheel one day in the shop and my boy says I just put a new on that silver truck 2 weeks before I had dump bed put on you can have it. It turned out to be a Jost, I wasn’t crazy bout the idea honestly I always thought the split jaw was better. Just an opinion I went with the Jost anyway with a bolt on Teflon plate cause I hate fifth wheel grease and I only pull my trailers so I don’t have that to worry about. I am a fan of the Jost 2 to 1 over the Holland not 1 time in 18 months has the lock bar stuck and had to mess with it to release. No yanking backing up, pulling up all that bullshut just pull the release handle and your free
     
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  3. ajax1337

    ajax1337 Light Load Member

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    I had a FW35 on my peterbilt 579 and at around 120k miles, it stopped locking and there went $2k for another top plate.
     
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  4. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    Holland FW35. Invented by August Fruehauf in 1935. Tried and true and there are still 40-70 year old ones out there still in working order to prove it. I have one from 1967 with 3,654,749 miles on it. If you are having to replace the other brands all the time that should tell you something.
     
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  5. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    IMG_1332.jpeg

    I been running a plastic disc for the last 20 years so when I unhook i spray some rattle can black on it so no surface rust. Even has the omg right side manual jaw release.
     

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  6. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    IMG_1334.jpeg

    Heres the FW35 on my GreatGrandfathers 1951 Diamond-T. It’s original so I’ll let you do the math. Been thru heck and back. You can see how king pins wore into the ramp ears from trailer swaps. I rebuilt it 8 years ago with new kit and jaws. Works like new.
     
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  7. ajax1337

    ajax1337 Light Load Member

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    I think we can argue that nothing is manufactured how it once was. I've had several newer trucks with that fifth wheel and have had problems on all of them. Afew co-workers of mine who drove the same specced trucks with the FW35 had the same issue on theirs. I've never had that issue on a fontaine or JOST.
     
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  8. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    I can tell you the number one thing that gouges, grinds, and wears out the plates is the stupid new way they teach to lift and drop the trailer nose with the plate as you drop and hook that just leaves all the grease on the bolster plate edge and grinds all the dirt and gravel into the plate while lifting 33,000 lbs 2-4 inches off the ground. We’ve never done that. Back under nice and easy with trailer dollies all ready set at plate height. Reduce that unnecessary friction and stress.
     
  9. ajax1337

    ajax1337 Light Load Member

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    We pulled containers and most of it was all drop/hook so, I could definitely believe that. With the number of trailers we dealt with regularly, I'd rather have a JOST.
     
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  10. PureLeafTea

    PureLeafTea Light Load Member

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    Isn’t Jost the one that makes a top plate that fits all the others? They got smart. Plus much cheaper. When I replaced my Volvo’s it was a huge difference in price. Wasn’t OEM, but it fit and was a quality plate. Saw no difference. Holland is what I have now, but I priced a new one for fun and about fell over. Anyone paying that for a 5th wheel needs their head examined.
     
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  11. Deere hunter

    Deere hunter Road Train Member

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    Shallowater Texas
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    due to all the good reviews on the jost, I believe that'll be my next fifth wheel. Last time I bought the aluminum Holland with the Teflon it was a little over 2000. It's near 4000 now. My 03 is needing a fifth wheel so I'm gonna try the jost.
    Great Post thank ya'll..
     
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