Towing a 5th wheel with a Titan

Old Man · 02-17-2006, 12:19 PM

Can someone tell me why Nissan tells people not to tow a 5th wheel with a Titan?

Thanks!

HemiHunter · 02-17-2006, 12:20 PM

Don't know. I've seen it done though.

baseballfanz · 02-17-2006, 12:32 PM

Supposely it apply to CC only where the bed is not long enough. Where you mount the 5th wheel is to close to the cab and might not give you enough clearance on a tighter turn. There is something that work but I forgot the name of it and it's kinda pricey.

**helomech** · 02-17-2006, 12:58 PM

http://www.pullrite.com/superglide_12.htm yes kind of pricey, but the only game in town.

baseballfanz · 02-17-2006, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helomech

http://www.pullrite.com/superglide_12.htm yes kind of pricey, but the only game in town.

Thanks for refreshing my memory.

irvingsewell · 02-17-2006, 01:29 PM

i am using a fifth wheel no problem and its not pricey You just have to buy a sliding hitch I would only recomend it for the extended cab though i have a prodigy brake control and i am adding automatic airbags for additional stability no lack of power though

JAFCO · 02-17-2006, 02:06 PM

No problem pulling a 5th, as long as it fits the load capacities of the truck.

Cheaper than the sliding hitch you can extend the RV neck

http://www.popuphitch.com/rv5.htm

This extends the distance by 10"

**helomech** · 02-17-2006, 03:10 PM

I might be wrong, but wouldn't increasing the length of the neck of the rv increase the tongue weight propotionally. Just like when you put an lever on a torque wrench or anything else, when you increase the length you increase the weight.

JAFCO · 02-17-2006, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helomech

I might be wrong, but wouldn't increasing the length of the neck of the rv increase the tongue weight propotionally. Just like when you put an lever on a torque wrench or anything else, when you increase the length you increase the weight.

Not completely, the TORQUE or Force would increase, Force= Weight x Distance

In the case of a trailer this would only apply if you were trying to lift the trailer ie. A jack under the hitch would require less effort the further away from the wheels.

The addition of 10" to the hitch would have a slight impact on on weight distribution to the hitch, but it would be negligible. The Trailer weighs the same, and the axle load does not change, therefore the weight distributed on the hitch would remain the same

**helomech** · 02-17-2006, 05:06 PM

I know the trailer weight and axle load doesn't change, but a given weight on a longer arm should egual more tonge load. The percentage of the weight should change not the actual weight of the trailer. I might be wrong, but just a thought. I know when dealing with weight and balance of a helicopter are airplane. You have to deal with the moment, the arm, and the actual weight.

JAFCO · 02-17-2006, 08:23 PM

Example A

20' trailer weighs 6500 lbs, weight is distributed so that there is 500 lbs on the hitch, 6000 lbs would then by default be on the axles

Example B

24' trailer weighs 6500 lbs and weight is distributed so there is 6000 lbs on the axel, there is now 500 lbs on the hitch.

**helomech** · 02-17-2006, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAFCO

Example A

20' trailer weighs 6500 lbs, weight is distributed so that there is 500 lbs on the hitch, 6000 lbs would then by default be on the axles

Example B

24' trailer weighs 6500 lbs and weight is distributed so there is 6000 lbs on the axel, there is now 500 lbs on the hitch.

I understand what you are saying, but if you took the exact same 24' trailer and moved the tongue 10 inches forward would the weight measured with a scale still be the same 500 lbs. I am not sure it would be, and I am not sure how to fiqure it out. I could problably use a weight and balance chart but not sure if that would work either. Even if I am right about the weight changing I don't think it would be a huge percentage, but if you have a 5th wheel and the tounqe weight is already 1100lbs and 10 inches adds just for an easy example 10% that would change the weight to 1210lbs. Not sure just thinking out loud.

Old Man · 02-17-2006, 08:37 PM

Quote:

No problem pulling a 5th, as long as it fits the load capacities of the truck.

Sorry but I don't want to sound dumb, but I have a few questions.

I know on Chevy they have two kinds of ratings. One for tow behind trailers and on for 5th wheels. It seem like the 5th wheel one is always more. Is this the same for the Titan?

If I was to tow a 5th wheel, what would be the max I would want to tow with the Titan?

I have also read that you can not tow a 5th wheel with a crew cab titan, is this true? Will the pullrite hitch make it so I can?

If I don't go with the 5th wheel, what would you say is the max to tow with a pull behind trailer?

**helomech** · 02-17-2006, 08:41 PM

The max trailer wait would not change, but the tonque weight would increase to what ever your bed limit is. A empty titan should be able to handle about 1400 lbs of tonque weight. It just has to do with leverage, your truck can handle more weight above the rear tires, instead of 5 feet behind the rear tires.

JAFCO · 02-17-2006, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helomech

I understand what you are saying, but if you took the exact same 24' trailer and moved the tongue 10 inches forward would the weight measured with a scale still be the same 500 lbs. I am not sure it would be, and I am not sure how to fiqure it out. I could problably use a weight and balance chart but not sure if that would work either. Even if I am right about the weight changing I don't think it would be a huge percentage, but if you have a 5th wheel and the tounqe weight is already 1100lbs and 10 inches adds just for an easy example 10% that would change the weight to 1210lbs. Not sure just thinking out loud.

The concept of what your saying is correct IF you change the weight distribution by increasing the lenght of the hitch, but the weight of the trailer does not increase a 6500# trailer is a 6500# trailer... if the weight on the axles does not change the weight on the tongue CAN'T change

Weight of trailer = weight on axles + weight on hitch

If the weight of the hitch increases then the weight on the axle Must decrease