I am glad this is working out for you. I broke my Landmark doing this. The side to side torque in uneven ground and angle approaches stressed my frame and cracked it. Most of these trailers are not built like semi trailers and won’t take the added torque

@GlennConner

Жыл бұрын

Yeah in really extreme cases it can put a lot of stress on the frame. I converted to a gooseneck ball. I have some videos of that process on my channel. Thanks for commenting.

@billmoran3812

Жыл бұрын

To me, that just shows how inadequate the frame construction of most campers is. Everything in the RV industry is built to a price. With very few exceptions, they are not designed to be long haul vehicles. That’s why I sold mine after a few years.

@BrandonLeech

Жыл бұрын

The pinboxes on an RV are a little fragile compared to what the underside of a semi-trailer looks like. Not as much surface area sitting on the plate to spread the load out either. However it's possible you just got a crap welding job on yours. They pound those chassis' out by the dozens as fast as they can so the quality control is a little light sometimes. If a little careful to stay on flat smooth stuff it's probably fine. The coupling height should be about the same.

@brianb-p6586

Жыл бұрын

20 or 30 years ago recreational fifth-wheel hitches didn't pivot side-to-side, and the trailers of the period withstood that. But yes, it's hard on the trailer.

@thomaswilson8634

4 ай бұрын

Buy a dsr moblie suites and it will be fine.

Glad I found your channel ! It’s great to see a fellow trucker HDT RVing. I’ve been an Independent Trucker for 25 years hauling a flatbed. I am semi (lol) retiring, selling our home, and my wife and I are going full time RVing. I’ve already installed a Curt Class V, 20,000 lb. receiver hitch on my Cascadia, but want more flexibility in choosing a camper. If I end up with a 5th wheel I think I’ll go with a pin box such as a Morryde to give me 1-1/2” side to side play just for some piece of mind. Great videos and info !! Stay safe. ✌

I have done this many times with no issues. With a tandem axle and the hitch slid to the rear. Now if I was planning on running that way all the time, I would use a hitch modified for hauling a draft arm rock bucket dump trailer instead of a dry box. That also limits the front and back tilt with a removable tilt pin.

I've always wondered about how a commercial 5th wheel would work. Nice camera work and I learned a few things. Thanks.

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Great video after this I installed tulga t10 fifth wheel, it works flawlessly. I like the way it has a large surface so holds on to trailer on the turns specially.

Great video! Camera angles definitely helped explain it as well. Appreciated!!!

@GlennConner

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

NICE WORKING BACKING INTO THE CAMP SITE. YOU'VE DONE THAT A FEW TIMES, I CAN TELL. 👍

Very interesting footage. Well done!

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Great video. I get asked about this all the time.

A Reese Sidewinder Pin box can be used with a commercial turntable in two different ways; the turntable can be stationary with the pin box in Swivel Mode OR it can be locked in place when used with a ball-race mounted turntable. Other suggestions include using a 'straight-down' pin box for lesser stress.

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

That hitch only offers an offset swivel for short bed trucks. Thanks for watching!

Well said. Im a CDL Class A holder and sell RV's - needed this info today . Thanxxx $$$$

@Sailingman25

2 жыл бұрын

I'm interested in doing a cdl for myself. What 's your recmmendation for the best place to get a cdl study book?

@GlennConner

2 жыл бұрын

I got mine at the DMV.

There's enough play in the 5th wheel that will let it tilt side to side like you caught in your video. If it needs any more flex than that you are doing some extreme driving haha

The pins are the same size. Up until 2016 I used a Atwood 5th wheel hitch that didn’t pivot side to side.

That was cool now I know I can use the 5th wheel on a Semi truck to haul my 5th wheel camper trailer that has a pin I did not know that the pin is the same size so that was a big help when I am looking for my truck one question is answer

@brianb-p6586

Жыл бұрын

Most are the same size, but many heavier commercial fifth-wheels use a larger 3" pin.

I’ve used a commercial fifthwheel hitch for towing Rv’s for many years with no problems. The new Rv hitches have side angling capabilities to make it easier to connect and disconnect on uneaten ground. As far as wear and tear of the kingpin goes the average camper will never use their kingpin like a commercial trailer and there’s no difference in the two kingpins. I actually like the stability of a solid commercial hitch. Less tipping of the camper.

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

I agree. Thanks for watching!

@CarlosGarcia-ls4hn

3 жыл бұрын

With no side to side angling of the 5th wheel, doesn't that put extra stress on the king pin and/or the 5th wheel?

@JohnVH-diy

3 жыл бұрын

If you go off road with your fifthwheel then do not use the commercial hitch. It’s made for flat highway towing.

@paulswan1982

2 жыл бұрын

What do you mean less tipping of the camper I watched him go around the corner look like a 2 inch gap in between the hitch and the king pin! 📍

Great video and coverage of a topic that seems to generate a lot of questions. I've been told by a man that runs an RV repair shop that fifth wheel trailer frames are prone to cracking where the bed overhang area is that transitions down to the bottom level area. Have you experienced this any, or is that more of an issue of questionable frames?

@GlennConner

2 жыл бұрын

I didn't have any issues, but I can see where it could cause some problems if you get in some extreme areas.

I guess the only folks that would have something to add to this topic would be the manufacturer of the frame? I’d like to here from them. The kingpin is hard mounted to the 5th wheel’s frame without any flexibility, so I don’t see how your setup would be a problem. I know the Reese Goosebox with the air bag is factory authorized for one of the frame manufacturers, but I’d really like to hear from one of the frame companies about this. It’s an important topic, especially with the increase in the use of HDTS for towing.

My original fifthwheel was a 14k reese with no side to side pivot the only problem I ever had was unhooking on unlevel ground.

@eleigey

3 ай бұрын

Same with my Reese 14k carried blocks to put truck off center to unhook but went to a BW 18k duel pivot and love it but pulled my fifth wheel with my international semi and didn’t have issue with stock semi hitch

Thank you, I knew that it would not be a problem a camper with a commercial hitch.

Nice thanks

You can see one side of pin box raise up on turns, where an RV hitch would flex with it. That has to put stress some where.

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Maybe, time will tell I guess. But it would definitely be worse if it wasn't allowed to raise on this particular type of hitch. Thanks for watching!

I was waiting for the magic to happen.

This is what I want to do. With a stock commercial 5th wheel so I can still go out and drive commercial. Everyone else out is using an aftermarket 5th wheel but now I see a stock one will due. You think I could fit a motorcycle in between the 5th wheel and the truck?

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, you probably could. If you fave a sliding fifthwheel you could slide it all the way back to gain a little more turning clearance. Thanks for watching! If you have any more questions just let me know.

What did you use for brake controller. Air over Electric (12 volt) or electric like you would a pickup?

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

I use the techonsha p3. I mention it in this video. Thanks for watching! kzread.info/dash/bejne/k2ipsat_gbvem5s.html

I want to do this or maybe get a 5th wheel with a airbag under it because my semi has reyco suspension

Isn’t there a flexible mount made for the kingpin side as an alternative to the smaller rv 5th wheel hitch?

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, there is a lot of different king pin boxes on the market that offer cushion. Most are mounted on bushings and a few have air bags. But for the most part they don't offer much left to right pivot. I don't really have an issue with the set up I have but it raised some concern with others. Thanks for watching!

What kind of harness connector did u use for the lights. have my own semi nd im trying to pull a small trailer with different connection

@GlennConner

2 жыл бұрын

I just tied into my rear tail lights for brakes, signals and tail lights but I had to hard wire my brake controller in.

Ive got a 2019 T680 that I use for commercial business and looking to buy a 42' momentum 376th 5th wheel. The only research I have to follow up on is the jaws to end of frame clearance, where I've got 61" length on my 3 axle tractor and the 5th wheel height, At 49". Raising mine to the kingpin height of 56" for level isn't an option. So I'm looking for an adjustable kingpin option on the trailer itself. Where I can lower the pin 4-6 inches. Any ideas?

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

I think you'll be fine with the 61" frame length and my fifthwheel sets around 51". Most pin boxes have some adjustment, mine is as low as it will go. But I have been looking into a goose box (that is lower or closer to the ground) and adding a gooseneck ball to my tractor. They also sell an adapter that has a king pin on one side and a ball on the other so that you can pull a gooseneck trailer from your fifthwheel but you'd have to lock the fifthwheel from pivoting front to back. I hope this helps. If you have anymore questions let me know. Thanks for watching!

@six-pac2120

2 жыл бұрын

There's enough room on that kw to do that ?other than the height?

Can that side to side motion on the B&W fifth wheel be locked out? I was thinking about getting one but I don't want side to side movement.

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Not that I'm aware of.

I'm watching this because I'm a trucker. My boss has a 5th wheel camper..close to around 35'. It's in Florida, and he needs it brought up to ohio. He has a Denali 3500, but no 5th wheel. I'm wondering if we can haul it back with my tractor..(full sleeper) if I slide the 5th wheel all the way back?

@GlennConner

Ай бұрын

I think so. I've done it for years. Just have to make an adapter for lights.

Commercial trucks and trailers don't have side to side pivot. I guess they just design them beefier to compensate for the stresses? I'm not sure. I didn't know rv hitches did have that. I've never pulled an RV trailer, just commercial

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Definitely built stronger but as you know commercial trailers are also built to flex. Thanks for watching!

That tilt of the pin box on the fifth wheel is a bit scary at times. If that plate above the pin was wider and rode more of the fifth wheel plate like the large flat plate on the underside of a semi-trailer it would be better. Every time the trailer leans and lifts that plate it starts sideloading that pin. I keep waiting for it to either come off the truck or break.

what about about the lights ? what do you use ? any adapters or something ?

@GlennConner

2 жыл бұрын

I hard wired a 7 way plug by splicing into the rear lights.

Modify the trailer pin with 4 sptings and Bolt to allow the left to right sway of trailer like the fith wheel on the other truck

Just curious if you can use a duel axel commercial vehicle with a 5th wheel camper ??

@GlennConner

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I've seen that done before.

Ohh thats side to side bind looks ouch. How do they get a smart car or golf cart up/in and down/out every time?

@GlennConner

2 жыл бұрын

Usually a custom bed and ramps are built to haul and load a smart car from the side and a rv style fifthwheel is installed at the very back of the bed to allow room for turning.

What are your axle weights with the 5th wheel trailer is attached?

@GlennConner

2 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure I've never scaled it out.

It Looks like the King pin Plate is Lifting At the Sideswhen you turn a corner or Cross Anything that is uneven and I think over time this will cause unnecessary wear or could even cause cracks in the neck of the RV

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

I agree but a lot of rv fifth wheels on the market doesn't offer side to side pivot. And there is a lot of clearance in the throat of the king pin which allows for the lifting that you seen. I guess the deciding factor for me is that I still want to be able to pull a commercial trailer so its a compromise I had to make. Thanks for watching!

@mikegarza1729

3 жыл бұрын

This is functioning just like a 53’ dry van. It lifts the exact same way when on uneven terrain. I’m pretty sure it’s not gonna hurt the camper. I’m glad you posted this video. I just bought a 2021 Cherokee arctic wolf 5th wheel camper. I’m totally gonna pull it with my 2016 freightshaker cascadia.

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

@shisci1

3 жыл бұрын

@@mikegarza1729 i totally agree. And the trailer got more weight capacity than camper

@CarlosGarcia-ls4hn

3 жыл бұрын

I think in order to judge it better, I think I would like to see the same video of the truck pulling a commercial trailer to see if the same tilting happens between the trailer and the 5th wheel as it does on this video. If it does the same thing, then there should not be much difference, except for taking into consideration the strength and construction of the goose neck to be able to withstand such torque.

Dope

how do you have the electrical from truck to trailer wired?

@GlennConner

2 жыл бұрын

I spliced in a 7 way rv plug off of the taillights and added a wire from the brake controller.

I'm curious about the truck I wonder if there would be enough room with a big 3 axle tractor I'm fixing on driving cross country again but with the same truck pull à 36 ft fifth wheel ? Anyone know or has anyone seen it done?

@GlennConner

2 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/lKNrzbmHXbnMh8Y.html Check out this video, this is the latest hitch setup I've been experimenting with.

I feel like the king pin is going to get warm out quicker with that rocking back and forth

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Commercial trailers do the same thing.

@HelloHaven98765

5 ай бұрын

Are you going to pull the camper for a million miles?

That could be ideal to tow 5 wheel campers long distances

Are those fifth wheels always so dry, meaning that they have no grease on them whatsoever? Wouldn't it be good to have a good amount of grease on them?

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

In commercial use you would definitely have grease on the fifthwheel but the white disc on the camper is a lube plate.

Is the king pin same size as commercial

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, thanks for watching!

What did you use to hook up the lights?

@GlennConner

2 жыл бұрын

I tied into the lights on the back of the truck and added a 7 way rv plug to the back of the truck and ran an electric brake wire from the controller in the truck and also a wire from battery positive to charge the camper battery from the truck.

They have special king pin boxes made 4 5th wheel trlrs that has shocks and such that may pivot that u can get if u just wanna keep ur commercial 5th whl however it makes more since to me also to keep ur commercial 5th whl hitch like u said it gives u the option to pull commercial trlr if u have to also I understand the pivot point too which it should be considered . My question is does the 5th whl trlr king pin match up to the commercial king pin in other words is there any play at all in ur commercial 5th whl hitch jaws ? Bless great healthy peaceful safe journeys travels and happy camping sending up prayers 4 yall 🚐🏕🌌👍👍💪🤠👍👍

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

What about using a gooseneck setup?

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

If I was going to change it in anyway that's what I would do. But it wouldn't be an add on adapter, I'm not a fan of those. I would buy one that replaces the king pin box. Thanks for watching!

Do you need a cdl to tow a 5th wheel with a semi?

@GlennConner

2 жыл бұрын

Not in Virginia, but some states require a special license.

The older ones don't mind just got four and a half

Is this setup still working good?

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, I haven't had any issues. Thanks for watching!

@arzoomtransportation1474

3 жыл бұрын

@@GlennConner thank you!!!

Make sure the fifth wheel on the tractor unit is greased up properly. It's supposed to be black and sticky with grease not exposed rust. Your running the risk of friction and fire if in a hot climate and if your pulling something as light as that rv if it could simply seize up during a turn and transfer the inertia to the rv body or maybe even flip. Also your truck should have a diff lock and or crawler gear to get up hill. It should easily pull that thing

@GlennConner

Жыл бұрын

Ok, I understand your concern but I'm not sure you know what you are talking about. I use a lube disc on my rv that doesn't require the surface to be greased, but I do keep the jaws greased well. As far as the deferential lock goes, that would be great but unfortunately this truck didn't come from the factory equipped with it and even if it would have I don't think it would pull it up my driveway. A fifthwheel camper just doesn't have enough tongue weight to make a difference. I have to use a 4x4 pickup to pull it up so a single axle semi, even with deferential lock just simply will not compete. Be careful making assumptions when you don't know all the details.

@qwertykeyboard7640

Жыл бұрын

@@GlennConner its your life dude

@crazyprepper5400

Жыл бұрын

It only has one axle. No dif lock.

@brianb-p6586

Жыл бұрын

​@crazyprepper5400 with one axle it doesn't have an interaxle differential, but that axle certainly has an axle differential... which can be lockable.

Sure can done it many times

Tbh pulling a big ass camper like that with a pickup as never made sense to me. A smaller to medium sized commercial truck. Now that makes sense.

@rodneyburke2202

2 жыл бұрын

Well pickups nowadays have 1110 torque

@jimjim6803

Жыл бұрын

​@@rodneyburke2202weight ratio would be a bigger concern to me. Braking power also.

And your tractor is an air ride which will help

The only concern I see here is the almost complete lack of lubricant on either fifth wheel.

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

I use one of those lube disks. I just add grease to the jaws on the fifthwheel and smear some on the king pin. But it is looking a little dry at this time. Thanks for watching!

@Redbikemaster

3 жыл бұрын

@@GlennConner have you seen the teflon 5th wheel plates? Those are pretty sweet. Once I get my own trailer I'll probably get one. I pull someone else's trailers right now though so I'm still using grease.

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, tha'd be nice

I own a trucking company with 5 trucks and drive professionally and let me tell ya ANYONE who has driven across I-80 Wyoming in a 60 -70 mph crosswinds knows the last thing you want is to allow your trailer to tilt or lean sideways on the fifth wheel plate. check this vid out kzread.info/dash/bejne/pJOr0KmYmbqfg9I.html On vacation I pull a 44' DRV for over 3 years approx 15k miles and have NO issues whatsoever. After I retire and start full time rving I'm thinking about changing the rear suspension's spring rate from 34k to 12k or less on the rears to soften the ride a little. I feel the problem is the springs being too stiff. Fifthwheel plate flexing sideways is normal and All fifth-wheels do so even the commercial ones flex. You can have your fifth wheel jaws shimmed if you want it tight but I have 659k miles on my 2016 389 Peterbilt semi-truck pulling 80K lb loads and have flexed from day one.

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, flexing is completely normal but some people have concerns with it. I drove professionally before I decided to be a stay at home dad. I pulled a log trailer a lot so flex doesn't bother me. I didn't realize that my pin box was lifting on the edges until I made this video but I don't think it will ever be an issue though. I've been towing with this setup for 4.5 years roughly 18k miles with no issues. Do you plan to keep your commercial fifth wheel? Thanks for watching and thanks for the insight!

Not may flex your frame, will.

It transfers torque not pressure, but we know what you meant.

I didn't see it flex the camper at all!

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

🤷‍♂️ I guess I'll keep on trucking.

I like your setup but it would make me nervous. The bigger trailers put weight across the entire surface of the plate. That is important because it forces the stress of the side to side movement into the suspension of the truck and trailer. Reducing it greatly at the pin. Your trailer is similar to when you work a nail over and over until it breaks. Your contact area is to small to force the stress off of the pin and actually provides leverage. That is a disaster waiting to happen. On one side you have a 12k tractor and the other a 15k trailer working against themselves on just the king pin. That truck is not giving. I’d build a custom air bag suspension or convert to a ball mount.

I would be concerned about an invisible stress fracture between the pin box and the structural frame. You may not be able to see the stress fracture until it has a catastrophic failure on the middle of the highway causing a fatal accident. It could also result in a liability lawsuits. Seems like a lot of risk at many levels.

You can use a regular 5th wheel plate just understand you WILL break the Trailer! Its been proven the suspension on a class 8 truck transmits TOO much stress to the RV and will break the frame. Cutting corners only if your a gambler and MURPHY never catches up with you!

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

Do you have a link for this proof. That would be an interesting read. It's hard to sort through all the sponsored articles to get to the truth. I wonder if this has actually ever happened or are the rv hitch companies just saying it'll happen?

@barntt

3 жыл бұрын

@@GlennConner No links. I read a article several years ago about replumbing a semi's air ride to include a PING tank which was just a add on air storage tank to act as a surge tank to allow the air in the air bags and air lines to soften the ride of a 6k lbs pin weight of a RV or Goose neck Trailer because the air ride was setup to handle a 50K lbs pin weight of a semi load and was just to Solid. I think they lowered the air pressure in the bags also? Think about if you pulled the springs all out and welded the rear axle to the frame how long would things hold up? There are some videos on HDT RVers of Rver's talking about having Broken Frames or seeing broken frames. Some videos of hitches in action and the harshness on the frame. A couple videos on hitches being worn out or broken prematurely. Also it would be just a lot more "Safe" anyway! You "Can" get away with just about anything, for a little while anyways. As Always You can do what You want its your Rig!

@GlennConner

3 жыл бұрын

I think there needs to be a clear understanding of how airbags work. You can't lower the pressure in the airbags without lowering the ride height and if you lower the ride height you change pinion angles. Semi trucks with airbag suspension have an auto level valve to compensate for load and to maintain the proper ride hight. So a bob tail truck will ride the same hight as a fully loaded truck. This translates to a light load having less pressure in the airbags than a heavy load, this is all done automatically by the auto leveling valve. It only adds the amount of pressure needed to maintain the ride hight. Airbags do not have a constant pressure. The only way to soften the ride on the trailer would be to add an air ride fifthwheel hitch. I think the only concern would be in the fact that the semi's fifthwheel doesn't have left to right pivot.

@barntt

3 жыл бұрын

@@GlennConner I ALSO said I (Think) they lowered the pressure it was a article I read some 10 plus years ago. I have owned Class 8's since 1993. Yes you are correct, no argument on that.

@travisfuller549

3 жыл бұрын

Okay

Dont like to see a dry 5th wheel pad its either messy grease or a silicone pad . Lets face the facts these are not semi trailors they are quite flimsy rv trailors by nature to keep the weight down , so in keeping with that thought swop your old rv 5th wheel pad over to your truck problem solved in that respect, The pad over the axle is the best thing since sliced bread also closer coupling will equal better fual consumpton thats why they have airofoils behind the cabs, The RV world thinking is getting a smart car on the back hence 5th wheels are allways behind the axle / s does it promote good roadkeeping thats the big debate. Big problem is the rig as it stands you cannot check for cracks very easy so by the time they happen its to late.

@GlennConner

Жыл бұрын

I do have a lube disk on the camper, so there is no need for grease on the plate. I do grease the jaws though.

seeing all these pivot comments makes me wonder why campers just dont use gooseneck hitch

Aaannnd #100 comments! Lol

Sorry, I disagree! At some point something is going to give on that setup and it isn’t going to be pretty! It’s always working great until it isn’t!

Do you need a CDL for this set up

@GlennConner

Жыл бұрын

Depends on the state. Some states require special licenses.

@Charles-lane277

27 күн бұрын

Most states it depends on the weight of what you're towing,not the weight of the truck,I don't know why but that's what I was told