5.0ta hitch mod

PM15283 · 07-11-2020, 04:58 PM

Traded in 14 Sierra for a 2020 Sierra (both 1500s) and discovered now I can't drop the tailgate. Anyone modified the frame or pin setup to solve this? Two inches would do it.

padlin · 07-11-2020, 05:14 PM

Cost a few bucks, but they sell 5th wheel tail gates.

DanandDaphne · 07-11-2020, 05:36 PM

What type of hitch do you have? Most 5th wheel hitches don't have forward rearward adjustment but some do. The Anderson hitch can be set up with the receiver box either in front of or behind your trailers pin. If you have an Anderson hitch and the receiver is behind the pin moving to the forward position would give you more tailgate clearance.

padlin · 07-11-2020, 06:40 PM

They make pin box extensions, and then there are sliders.

davidmurphy02 · 07-11-2020, 06:57 PM

With that little of a clearance, even if you got a couple of inches you'd still have very little room. In practice when there's that little clearance (I know from experience with ours, we have just a couple of inches when it's open), you have to be extremely careful when backing up to hitch. If you're not perfectly square with the trailer, you can hit one side of the tailgate when it's open and scrunch it against the trailer frame. Unhitching it's not a big deal, most tailgates have plastic on the top now and if it is contacting the trailer frame when you open it it can just lay against it and then slide down to open fully as you pull away.

What many 5.0TA owners do is hitch up as a two step process. You back up almost to the hitch, so the kingpin box is inside the bed, then close the tailgate before backing up that last little bit. I thought it would be a pain but it's really not, and it's easier than having to maneuver to get perfectly square with the trailer.

C&G in FL · 07-11-2020, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

What many 5.0TA owners do is hitch up as a two step process. You back up almost to the hitch, so the kingpin box is inside the bed, then close the tailgate before backing up that last little bit. I thought it would be a pain but it's really not, and it's easier than having to maneuver to get perfectly square with the trailer.

I always found it to be a real pain, especially when hitching without an assistant, and that is why I invested in a 5th Wheel tailgate, which rarely, and I do mean hardly ever gets opened. It makes it easy to hitch or unhitch without worrying about the tailgate, and also makes it easy to crawl into the cargo bed by stepping on the rear bumper and over the low center portion of the tailgate.

C&G in FL · 07-11-2020, 09:02 PM

Or, you could totally modify your 5th Wheel hitch and do it this way:

PM15283 · 07-12-2020, 02:57 PM

C&G - I hope I never see that combo going down the road! Actually, towed behind a Sierra it would make for much more storage if no more GCWR.
I have the Andersen and it was set up with the pin location in front of the axle. Can I just turn it behind? That would give me more than 6 inches, I'm sure.
Thanks, all! Once again you've come through.

Phil

C&G in FL · 07-12-2020, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PM15283

C&G - I hope I never see that combo going down the road! Actually, towed behind a Sierra it would make for much more storage if no more GCWR.
I have the Andersen and it was set up with the pin location in front of the axle. Can I just turn it behind? That would give me more than 6 inches, I'm sure.
Thanks, all! Once again you've come through.

Phil

Phil,
5th wheel hitches are typically set so that the pin connects in front of the axle, because enough pin weight behind the axle could cause the front of the truck to lift, causing a dangerous control problem. The pin weight of the 5.0TA is relatively light in comparison to the behemoth stickie 5th wheels, and having the 5.0TA’s pin slightly behind the axle will not exert enough downward force to cause any control problem. So yes, you can turn the Andersen around to gain a few more inches.

DanandDaphne · 07-13-2020, 04:23 PM

People put their pin center a bit behind the axle center pretty often if they have a 5' bed. I don't think 6" would cause you any problems. You can always switch it back if it does change the way it handles.

PM15283 · 08-24-2020, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

Phil,

5th wheel hitches are typically set so that the pin connects in front of the axle, because enough pin weight behind the axle could cause the front of the truck to lift, causing a dangerous control problem. The pin weight of the 5.0TA is relatively light in comparison to the behemoth stickie 5th wheels, and having the 5.0TA’s pin slightly behind the axle will not exert enough downward force to cause any control problem. So yes, you can turn the Andersen around to gain a few more inches.

Done! Gave me the extra room I needed to lower the tailgate - when stopped! Have had about 600# at the pin. Now I need to figure out how much the trailer is out of level.

Fox hunt · 08-24-2020, 02:36 PM

i can drop my tail gait but its tight
i have the short bed F150 i have to be careful but it works

arniesea · 08-24-2020, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PM15283

Done! Gave me the extra room I needed to lower the tailgate - when stopped! Have had about 600# at the pin. Now I need to figure out how much the trailer is out of level.

Per Escape, you can use the belly band to determine level. Measure to the belly band right at the wheels, then again just in front of the the door. If it is within in an inch either way, you are good. Again, per Escape.

https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/h...7-908a7792d9a4

PM15283 · 08-24-2020, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arniesea

Per Escape, you can use the belly band to determine level. Measure to the belly band right at the wheels, then again just in front of the the door. If it is within in an inch either way, you are good. Again, per Escape.

https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/h...7-908a7792d9a4

Thanks! We live in a rural area and it's hard to find a level spot.

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