All about Semi trucks trailers
Standard semi-trailer designs are familiar with many people. This is because they are used to tow nearly every vehicle on the road. Besides, they are often among the longest vehicles on the road. Big rigs can be used to tow trailers that haul heavy cargo. Semi-trucks have huge diesel engines that are good at moving larger cargo. However, for the vehicle to support that much trailer weight, an ordinary puny ball hitch would not work.
How they work
Semi-trucks are designed to carry heavier loads that cannot be handled by the typical ball hitches. The front end of the trailer extends over the rear pick up the bumper. The attachment point becomes the truck bed rather than the rear bumper. The weight of the trailer after installation presses down between the rear axle of the pick-up and the cab. The truck is then able to carry a significant amount of weight. To execute such jobs, the semi-trucks use a fifth wheel trailer hitch.
Fifth-wheel hitch
A fifth wheel is a heavy-duty trailer attachments system that lives in the bed of the truck. It is large and flat with a horseshoe shape. The metal rails running beneath the hitch attaches to the frame of the truck for strength. The trailer then connects to the fifth-wheel hitch via a kingpin. The kingpin fits in position to stay secure but also acts as a pivot to allow the trailer to turn. The trailer’s flat plate and the hitch are in constant contact thus require regular lubrication between them.
Installation of fifth-wheel hitches on Semi Trucks
Before installing a fifth-wheel hitch, ensure that the truck is rated to support the extra weight you intend to add. Although it looks so obvious, this is a point that is often overlooked. The best place to get such information is from the vehicle manual. Since they are used to tow tons of weight, the fifth-wheel hitch has to be secure. A rail kit will help in achieving that. It attaches to the brackets that link to the truck frame and acts as a foundation for the hitch. Always go for a complete installation kit for the fifth wheel hitch specifically designed for your vehicle. This is going to save you frustrations and hustles since the kits contain all the components needed for installation.
Also, it is important to note that the rails supporting the fifth wheel hitch should not be installed over a plastic bed liner. Although the rails will tightly secure initially, the plastic will disintegrate with time leaving a loose hitch.