The rear suspension of the truck does verly little to dampen road shock, it's primary function is to keep the load level regardless of the weight. Air bags only level the load and the suspension is massive metal springs.
With the weights of the RV on the pin, it gets very little in the way of shock absorbsion from the truck, so to provide a cushioned ride for the trailer, the airbag under the hitch head is the primary shock absorber in this set up.
On a truck of this size it would make not a bit of difference that the tongue weight is behind the axle. The only reason we enjoy 5th wheels with pickups is the weight is placed just ahead of the rear axle which allows good weight distribution and balance. Here the truck overcomes any bad physics because of the shear size of the truck. People have a very hard time understanding that weight placement means less with large trucks until enough weight is added to max out the truck. Bet it tows nice.
haha i guess from the comments, mabye you should make a vid to show these ppl how wieght distribution works, and that 9,000lbs on the front is lots for traction?
Why too bad? My guess is that you tow with a light duty truck like an F-450 or even smaller.
By placing the tongue behind the rear axle, I unload the front by 1500 lbs, and get even distribution of weight per tire with about 9000lbs remaining on the front axle when connected. I also have much better manueverability backing into tight spaces.
Besides better mileage than a pickup and better TCO/mile in general, a converted class 8 tractor has tremendous flexability in configuration options.
its not the same, hes pulling with a 15000 lbs volvo single axle from what I seen with the other vid. His motor is roughly 1500 lbs depending on what he has, and 7 to 800 lbs for the trans. The weight is still balanced out safely
yeah it would, say for steering purposes. say in the snow, you want as much weight on those front tires so you can steer. if the weight was on the axle, the weight is being directly transfered to the ground in a straight line. but if its behind the axle, the axle acts as a pinion and the the weight pushes down on one side and lifts the other end. thats all im sayin.
i dont get why the fifth wheel is so far behind the axle. why wouldnt it be placed over it so you have the weight is on the axle and no towarss the end? it can really screw tih the traction up front then.
The front axle is at 11,000 without the trailer and drops to 9,000 with the trailer. It's just one of the advantages of pulling with a converted class 8. The others are cost and mileage.
A very cool concept. You might want to display this unit at the I I S A trade show in Feb. I can see a lot of interest in this.
nightwind928 5 months ago
Ive never seen a camper with air brakes.
regdapimp06 6 months ago
This isn't something new, Calumet Coach (Now Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles) used air supended 5th wheel plates on their trailers for years.
chuckrl 6 months ago
The rear suspension of the truck does verly little to dampen road shock, it's primary function is to keep the load level regardless of the weight. Air bags only level the load and the suspension is massive metal springs.
With the weights of the RV on the pin, it gets very little in the way of shock absorbsion from the truck, so to provide a cushioned ride for the trailer, the airbag under the hitch head is the primary shock absorber in this set up.
Jinma224 10 months ago
god blessed texas!
alexrex20 10 months ago
very nice and the truck sounds nice to
dustinby15 1 year ago
Wats the point with having the hitch shocked? how dose that help?
littlejr92 1 year ago
On a truck of this size it would make not a bit of difference that the tongue weight is behind the axle. The only reason we enjoy 5th wheels with pickups is the weight is placed just ahead of the rear axle which allows good weight distribution and balance. Here the truck overcomes any bad physics because of the shear size of the truck. People have a very hard time understanding that weight placement means less with large trucks until enough weight is added to max out the truck. Bet it tows nice.
TheHitchHog 2 years ago
Geez! The truck has a noisy engine!
ryanthescooterguy 2 years ago
awesome tow rig. i love it
PIchillin456 2 years ago
haha i guess from the comments, mabye you should make a vid to show these ppl how wieght distribution works, and that 9,000lbs on the front is lots for traction?
trugertha 2 years ago
Too bad the tongue weight is behind the rear axle.
1pinchipendejo 2 years ago 2
Why too bad? My guess is that you tow with a light duty truck like an F-450 or even smaller.
By placing the tongue behind the rear axle, I unload the front by 1500 lbs, and get even distribution of weight per tire with about 9000lbs remaining on the front axle when connected. I also have much better manueverability backing into tight spaces.
Besides better mileage than a pickup and better TCO/mile in general, a converted class 8 tractor has tremendous flexability in configuration options.
Jinma224 2 years ago 3
What are ya gettin around 11 mpg?
MnTrucker1984 2 years ago
its not the same, hes pulling with a 15000 lbs volvo single axle from what I seen with the other vid. His motor is roughly 1500 lbs depending on what he has, and 7 to 800 lbs for the trans. The weight is still balanced out safely
MnTrucker1984 2 years ago
Yes, It's a singled out Volvo 770.
I get 9.0-9.2 with the trailer and 10.6-11.2 bobtail. (most recent set of numbers from my last trip TX to NY)
Jinma224 2 years ago
(i dont get why the fifth wheel is so far behind the axle. )
Because it's on a big truck and not a 3/4 or one ton truck. It's not hurting his traction on the front wheels.
Neverdie242 3 years ago
yeah it would, say for steering purposes. say in the snow, you want as much weight on those front tires so you can steer. if the weight was on the axle, the weight is being directly transfered to the ground in a straight line. but if its behind the axle, the axle acts as a pinion and the the weight pushes down on one side and lifts the other end. thats all im sayin.
KLsemperFi7 3 years ago 2
i dont get why the fifth wheel is so far behind the axle. why wouldnt it be placed over it so you have the weight is on the axle and no towarss the end? it can really screw tih the traction up front then.
KLsemperFi7 3 years ago
The front axle is at 11,000 without the trailer and drops to 9,000 with the trailer. It's just one of the advantages of pulling with a converted class 8. The others are cost and mileage.
Jinma224 3 years ago
is it a gasser? looks like its a GM truck or somethin. i couldnt tell.
KLsemperFi7 3 years ago
its pri a freightliner
johndeeregreen4life1 2 years ago
I just like to know what air brake set up in the trailer??
MotelCambodia 3 years ago
It uses an Air over Hydraulic system from Blu-Dot.
Jinma224 3 years ago
thanks
MotelCambodia 3 years ago