Fifth wheel - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

KVB · 02-09-2015, 01:50 PM

The long term plan with my truck is travel with it. Ideally, I would like to get my hands on a 22-24 foot fifth wheel, so my wife & I can travel around in comfort & style.

I have a 1965 GMC shortwide. I realise I will need a slider style fifth wheel.

Has anybody does this to thier truck? If yes, how did you install the fifth wheel to the wooden floor?

I realise that I will have to attach the fifth wheel to the frame, but since the bed floor does not touch the frame, some kind of spacers will have to be set up.

I have sen fifth wheel on older trucks, but they normally had a custm flat deck out back.

Any pics?

Any ideas?

Any suggestions?

63 & 64 Bowties · 02-09-2015, 04:59 PM

I'm no expert on towing, I don't even have a RV trailer. But I have read several times that pulling a "bumper-pull" trailer with a short wheelbase truck is dangerous. I know you're looking for a 5th wheel, but I'm just guessing a 22-24 footer 5th-wheeler would also be dangerous, especially a half ton.
Hopefully others with more knowledge will chime in.

**Captainfab** · 02-10-2015, 01:42 AM

I wouldn't pull a trailer of that size with anything less than a C20.

OldGMJon · 02-10-2015, 02:58 AM

Fabricate a C30 duel wheel axle under that thing and forget about the worries.

Budman56 · 02-10-2015, 04:05 AM

working on my daughter 63 dually it will have a fifth wheel hitch soon.

**Clyde65** · 02-10-2015, 09:37 AM

You need to make sure you have adequate braking first. I also agree with ^^ I would go C20 minimum.

**nsb29** · 02-10-2015, 10:18 AM

I have put 1000s of miles towing a tow behind heavy trailers w/a short bead and trailer brakes never had a problem its not necessarily the size of the trailer but the tongue weight that's what you have to determine. I plan on doing the same thing Im putting new axels bearings and a LS drivetrain w/overload springs. a fifth wheel sets over the axle just like a semi and are very stable

OldGMJon · 02-10-2015, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budman56

working on my daughter 63 dually it will have a fifth wheel hitch soon.

did you make that C30 frame a swb?

Budman56 · 02-10-2015, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldGMJon

did you make that C30 frame a swb?

nope it was cut and welded before I got it. It used to be a ladder truck.
Here is the newer rear end that Iam putting into this truck.

OldGMJon · 02-10-2015, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budman56

.
Here is the newer rear end that Iam putting into this truck.

Now that will be stopping power

02-09-2015, 01:50 PM	#1
KVB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: La Prairie, Quebec Posts: 231	Fifth wheel The long term plan with my truck is travel with it. Ideally, I would like to get my hands on a 22-24 foot fifth wheel, so my wife & I can travel around in comfort & style. I have a 1965 GMC shortwide. I realise I will need a slider style fifth wheel. Has anybody does this to thier truck? If yes, how did you install the fifth wheel to the wooden floor? I realise that I will have to attach the fifth wheel to the frame, but since the bed floor does not touch the frame, some kind of spacers will have to be set up. I have sen fifth wheel on older trucks, but they normally had a custm flat deck out back. Any pics? Any ideas? Any suggestions?

02-09-2015, 04:59 PM	#2
63 & 64 Bowties and a few others Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 5,638	Re: Fifth wheel I'm no expert on towing, I don't even have a RV trailer. But I have read several times that pulling a "bumper-pull" trailer with a short wheelbase truck is dangerous. I know you're looking for a 5th wheel, but I'm just guessing a 22-24 footer 5th-wheeler would also be dangerous, especially a half ton. Hopefully others with more knowledge will chime in. __________________ Bill US Army Vet -193rd Infantry BlueRidgeMuscleCars.com “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Gandhi

02-10-2015, 01:42 AM	#3
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: Fifth wheel I wouldn't pull a trailer of that size with anything less than a C20. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

02-10-2015, 02:58 AM	#4
OldGMJon Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Albion, Ca. Posts: 414	Re: Fifth wheel Fabricate a C30 duel wheel axle under that thing and forget about the worries. __________________ Projects: 65' Chevy C10 swb (rebuilt chassis) 65' Chevy Panel swb 64' Chevy C30 flatbed "above" 80' C30 "beneath") Parts: 66' GMC 2503 & 65' GMC I1500

02-10-2015, 04:05 AM	#5
Budman56 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Patterson California Posts: 1,133	Re: Fifth wheel working on my daughter 63 dually it will have a fifth wheel hitch soon. Attached Images __________________ MY 65 C20 BUILD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=483346 ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/

02-10-2015, 09:37 AM	#6
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,546	Re: Fifth wheel You need to make sure you have adequate braking first. I also agree with ^^ I would go C20 minimum. __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*

02-10-2015, 10:18 AM	#7
nsb29 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: new smyrna beach fl / 29 palms cal Posts: 1,727	Re: Fifth wheel I have put 1000s of miles towing a tow behind heavy trailers w/a short bead and trailer brakes never had a problem its not necessarily the size of the trailer but the tongue weight that's what you have to determine. I plan on doing the same thing Im putting new axels bearings and a LS drivetrain w/overload springs. a fifth wheel sets over the axle just like a semi and are very stable



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