Is there an Ideal 5th Wheel Trailer Pin Height
Published 06/22/2018
Question:
Gentlemen, I am currently working with Transport Custom Design of Montoursville, PA to build a custom 42foot toyhauler fifth wheel. The problem is this , I currently own a 2006 F350SD FWD DRW which will act as our tow vehicle until my wifes retirement in 6 years. We will then go full time on the road and up our rig to a Freightliner M2106 Sport chassis. The difficulty is determining the optimal pin height and clearences for both trucks. Any insights you might share would be appreciated. We are still in the design phase and the decision will directly affect the headroom above the fifth wheel. Thank you for your time
asked by: Dennis D
Expert Reply:
The good news is that most 5th wheel pin boxes and gooseneck couplers are height adjustable as are 5th wheel hitches (but not gooseneck hitches). So you will be able to make some adjustments if the two different trucks have different heights.
Basically when the trailer is level you will need about 5 or 6 inches of space from the tops of the bed sides to the bottom of the trailer overhang.
The bad news, which isn't really bad news given the above information, is that because all trucks are different there isn't an optimum pin height that would be guaranteed to work with both trucks. What you could do though is visit a local RV dealer and look at similar toy haulers to see what height they are at and then average it out. Measure from the ground to the bottom of the skid plate though, not the actual pin because the pin will be down in the hitch when coupled.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter - 12" to 16" Tall - 20,000 lbs
- 5th Wheel Gooseneck Adapter
- Adapts Trailer
- 5th Wheel Trailer to Gooseneck Hitch
- No Extra Clearance
- 20000 lbs
- Bolts Over King Pin
- Shock Absorbing
- Convert-A-Ball
more information >
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on 5th Wheel Gooseneck Adapter
