one last question...Why do that call that gizmo a 5th wheel?
 

...I mean it's not a wheel, and if it was, it would be an 11th wheel. why not just call it a "trailer connector?" Man, truck driving is mind blowing.

Its not funny anymore :roll:

Re: one last question...Why do that call that gizmo a 5th wh
 

are you serious when u ask this stuff r u trying to be funny

I totally agree.

It's the return of Chad Sexington/Colonel Toon/Ron Kniesley. :roll:

But as everyone else has said, it isn't funny anymore. Knock it off. :roll:

He does have a good point though, how did it get it's name ? I have been driving for about 44 years and my Dad for about the same before me and as far as I know it has always been called that.
Anyone have an idea as to the origine ??

The wonders of Google...
 

Found a camping forum through Google that has a little more in depth single-posting on it. http://s8.zetaboards.com/Campfire_So...topic/96349/1/

Basically, one of the first setups used for trailers used an airplane tire and wheel mounted to the towing vehicle and the trailer would be locked into the wheel where the axle usually would be.

Fifth wheel coupling
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Fifth wheel)

The fifth wheel coupling provides the link between a semi-trailer and the towing truck, tractor unit, leading trailer or dolly. Some recreational vehicles RVs are in a fifth wheel configuration, requiring the coupling to be installed in the bed of a pickup truck as a towing vehicle. The coupling consists of a coupling pin (or king pin) on the front of the semi-trailer and a horseshoe-shaped coupling device called a fifth wheel on the rear of the towing vehicle.

The term fifth wheel comes from a similar coupling used on four-wheel horse-drawn carriages and wagons. The device allowed the front axle assembly to pivot in the horizontal plane, to improve turning.

One of the largest European manufacturers of fifth wheel couplings is a German company called Jost Automotive Germany.


Fifth Wheel Caravan and Double Cab Pick Up TruckThe world's biggest manufacturer of fifth wheel couplings is Holland Hitch in the United States.[citation needed]

It was invented in the UK by Clive Henderson[citation needed]

He'll knock it off -- it's his last question! He said so in the subject line. :D

Thanks Soledad. Should have thought to go to Wikipedia for that one. See grumpy drivers above....now you know some trucking history. Don't be so quick to beat others down because you don't know the answer to the "stupid" question. Gotta give you guys above a few of these :roll: :roll: :roll: back. :wink: