I guess everyone tired of this thread. I thought I'd get at least a couple
of responses to this. As some had said, they never had seen a Dakota pulling
a fifth wheel.
Bill
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Bill Nissley
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 2:49 AM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: RE: DML: Was: Slide in camper NOW: 5th wheel?
I've seen it done, because I do it. It is really steady on the road. As for
turning radius, I don't have a sliding hitch and I can turn almost 72
degrees before the trailer would hit the truck. I don't plan on making turns
that sharp. If I had gotten a sliding hitch I don't think I would ever use
it. They are only meant to be in the rear position for slow speeds and
backing. The hitch I have is the RBW 'LIL Rocker 5th Wheel Hitch. It has a
side to side pivot to help line up the hitch on uneven surfaces. It then
locks to prevent swaying. It also detaches easily with 4 pins from the bed
leaving only the 2 mounting bars. See a picture of it here:
http://www.bobstravelcenter.com/catalog/rbw__lil_rocker_5th_wheel_hitch_1121
921.htm
Here is a diagram I did when I was planning the purchase to help me
visualize and calculate the dimensions:
http://home.comcast.net/~billnis/dakota/trailer-truck.jpg
Here is a photo showing my Rig:
http://home.comcast.net/~billnis/dakota/truckandtrailer.jpg
Here is a photo showing the trailer brakes unit in my cab:
http://home.comcast.net/~billnis/dakota/mytrucktbrakes.jpg
I have the Roadmaster Active Suspension to help with sagging. The only thing
that I want to do is get 4.10 gears. Right now I have 3.55 and when I hit a
grade I can really feel it. I have the tow package on my truck, and a trans
temp gauge and I haven't had any problems with the trans over heating. With
my current gears, I can only use overdrive on level roads. I have oversize
tires (32") on the back, so my real gear ratio is closer to 3.2 I think.
When I am not towing, which is most of the time I have a Gaylord X2000
tonneau cover, it removes very easily.
Bill
http://www.twistedbits.net/WWWProfile/dakota/Ah0EiM5qG@xcE/
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Michael
Maskalans
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 2:57 PM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: Re: DML: Was: Slide in camper NOW: 5th wheel?
On Jan 5, 2004, at 10:16 AM, BARRY OLIVER wrote:
> Can you tow a 5th wheel behind a DAK? I don't doubt the possibility,
> but I've just never seen it done. Does anybody on the list have a 5th
> wheel setup?
I've never seen it done, either. If those "mini" 5th wheels that Jon
mentioned really exist, that's pretty intriguing. Still probably not
something that I'd investigate personally, though, considering the want
of something to haul around 8000# comfortably.....
-- Mike Maskalans <http://mike.tepidcola.com/dodge/> '98 Dakota CC 0x4 318 (Borked) '84 RamCharger 4x4 360 (DD) mobile.612.618.4652 campus.585.274.2246 fax.360.364.3930
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Feb 01 2004 - 16:29:49 EST
