I've no intention of being a wet blanket, however it might behoove you to visit the escapees website and read the experiences of guys that worked delivering RV,s. Thier posts indicate they can't make more than minimum wage at this occupation, and the wear and tear on their trucks was terrible.

 

I spent a weekend visiting with two guys in Alaska who make their living by driving and towing RVs purchased in lower 48 to Alaska Dealers. They do it year round.

 

Well I just found the hitch that I will probably be installing. It is the B&W made specifically for a flatbed. I called them and they told me to recess it 4-6 inches below the bed floor and it should be ok. The 5er hitch is only 10" tall so if I recessed it 6" it should only stick up out of the bed 4 inches. That would put it at the perfect height and I wouldn't have to lower the truck any. I think I will get the front end raised so it will sit more level, and be easier to hook up to trailers. Sounds like it will work out perfectly for me. I already have a 12"X12" hole cut in the bed for my gooseneck already, so if I cut the old gooseneck hitch out and cut a slightly larger hole for the new setup with a 1/4" floor for the hitch to mount and box and weld everything in properly, it should fit without much modification. I will probably make a new cover plate for the cutout so it will be a true flatbed again!

 

Before I got too crazy about all this it sounds like you want to haul commercial, we haul new stock trailers from Iowa to Canada and there may be some more issues to consider. Commercial vehicles have different equipment requirements and we run commercial 5th wheels, RV wheels are not legal even in a one ton truck towing commercial. I have a flip up 5th wheel that sits 7" above the deck and top of deck is mounted comes to 9" from top of frame. My 5th wheel is a holland #6200 18" 26k which is basically a baby Holland 3500 in design, the other option is a Binkly 32000 12" wheel and the worst part about all this is the price is cheaper than the tin foil RV wheels. These trucks stand tall are not really user friendly when it comes to hauling some RV's, they create some wicked angles and put excess stress on the rear axle of the low trailers. For commercial trailers most of the gooseneck tongues are adjustable and these 4x4's push the limit but work fine. I have been in the trucking business for 26 years and you had better lay this whole thing out on paper real careful, not saying you cant make a living but if your looking for gold dont go here. Hope some of this helps you out and good luck. PK

 

Amen to what Kennedy said

 

[quote author=P Kennedy link=board=11;threadid=6463;start=15#66163 date=1037168056]<br> Before I got too crazy about all this it sounds like you want to haul commercial, we haul new stock trailers from Iowa to Canada and there may be some more issues to consider. Commercial vehicles have different equipment requirements and we run commercial 5th wheels, RV wheels are not legal even in a one ton truck towing commercial. I have a flip up 5th wheel that sits 7&quot; above the deck and top of deck is mounted comes to 9&quot; from top of frame. My 5th wheel is a holland #6200 18&quot; 26k which is basically a baby Holland 3500 in design, the other option is a Binkly 32000 12&quot; wheel and the worst part about all this is the price is cheaper than the tin foil RV wheels. These trucks stand tall are not really user friendly when it comes to hauling some RV's, they create some wicked angles and put excess stress on the rear axle of the low trailers. For commercial trailers most of the gooseneck tongues are adjustable and these 4x4's push the limit but work fine. I have been in the trucking business for 26 years and you had better lay this whole thing out on paper real careful, not saying you cant make a living but if your looking for gold dont go here. Hope some of this helps you out and good luck. PK<br>[/quote]<br><br>Hey thanks for the info. I am not looking for GOLD but just want to make an honest living. I got hurt on the job and am 60% disabled in my right knee. The doctor screwed up the surgery and the only thing I can do now is get a complete knee replacement but they won't do that since I am only 30. This is work that I can do that will not involve too much lifting and strain on my knee. I thought about doing currier work, but that involves loading and unloading some heavy stuff. Can't do it. I would just like to work about 3-4 days a week and make a decent living. Not looking to get rich.<br><br>As far as the hitch is concerned, I don't think I need to get that serious with it. 23k should be sufficient. The largest trailers that I will be towing are 17k unloaded, or so I was told. A medium duty truck would be ideal, except for the mileage/maintenance. I will probably also get into hauling some cars around as well. I already have a couple of dealerships interested in my services and may just end up going that route. I can't really do anything until I get discharged from the DOC, so I am not in a HUGE hurry. Still getting checks from the Work Comp.

 

Commercial guys, how high are your hitches?<br>I know mine is too high since the front axle doesn't touch when I'm empty. http://www.swampfoxcustoms.com/hot_shot.htm<br> The pin on the trailer is adjusted as high as it will go so either it was built wrong or the previous owner put the wrong hitch on the truck. The plate is about the same height as a regular Tractor trailer rig right now.<br>So, how high should it be?<br>In inches (Since frame height can vary).<br><br>Thanks gang,<br>Steve

 

The factory height of a commercial tractor is 48-52&quot; for standard highway trailers, oilfield and heavy haul are usually 4-8&quot; higher to accommadate the loading ramps on the rear of the tractors. I had to &quot;flip&quot; the axles on my RV trailer to match the truck everything now sits level. The gooseneck trailer has an adjustable pin height which most should have with either a round or square tube receiver. mine came with the ball coupler and I changed it to a standard pin and 18&quot; upper fifth to match my wheel. Most RV's and Goosenecks with 5th wheel pins only have a 12&quot; upper fifth, the 18&quot; offers more weight distribution across the wheel. When they put decks on trucks most are mounted high enough to allow the tires room when &quot;overloaded&quot; to miss the bottom of the deck and in some cases are way to high to mount 5th wheels at a reasonable height. The advantage of a deck vs a box are there is no side rail to clear with the pin box on an RV and regular goosenecks are built so this isn't an issue, therefore you can lower the trailer by lifting the pin box 6-10&quot; allowing easier levelling of the trailer. Travelling to far with the trailer tilted up stresses the rear axle and its components, sorry I dont have pictures for quick answers. PK

 

There are two directions that you can go on the hitch hieght. You can go standard and pull any trailer which 45 or 46 inches will work, or you can mount at your chassie hieght and only pull your trailer. A flat bed with electirc 16 inch axles will level out at your frame hight. JUst remember that it takes about 48 foot to pull three cars. There are not too many car haulers in your area. Go to the auctions and see about getting hauls.

 

Thanks Haulin, the legs are just about healed and ready to go so I figured I'd better get this thing figured out.

 

Dawg:<br> The one thing I can say about the Teton is I never thought I would ever own anything with as much quality. The order time is 5 months but now I see why. Just an unreal unit. And the Mor/Ryde is fantastic.<br><br>..Preston..

 

Hay Turbo Tom your right the mor/ride suspension has to be the best thing for towing I have a Holiday Rambler 5er with Mor/ride an you don't even know the trailer is there.<br> Now for the mans question I tow a lot of differant trailers so what i do is I keep my 5er hitch adj. all the way up this way my hitch is never to low for some of the smaller trailers yea some ride high in the front but with no weight in them it don't hurt a thing, I've pulled trailers for about 25 years now with no trouble, so I say keep it high an avoid a lot of hassels down the road.<br> just my 2 cents Bob

 

OK guys,<br>I went out &amp; measured my 5er tonight: at level, she sets at 55 inches. Then, went over to the truck and measured it setting in my driveway on a slant, IT MEASURED 55 inches!! Now, what in the h*ll do I do? My hitch in the truck is at bottom, and the pin box is a couple from the top. I have went up one and it seemed too close to the truck rails, so I put it back down. Now What? I have heard that you can do something to the trailer springs, BUT, can it help this situation???<br><br>Boy, what a dilema....... :'( :'( :'(<br>(32' Kountry Aire 10,000 grw)<br><br>Please try and help<br>Thanks<br>Grampaw

 

Grampaw,

Check to see if the springs on your are mounted below the axles. If they are, the &quot;axles can be flipped&quot; (springs can be mounted above the axles. This should be done by a reputable RV shop. This will give you an extra 4-6 inches.

From your measurements it sounds as if your truck is a 4 x 4. There is a lowering kit for the rear of Ram 4 x 4s that is available from dealers. This will give you a couple more inches.

Good luck.

 

[quote author=Ray,IN link=board=11;threadid=6463;start=15#63223 date=1036639611]<br>I've no intention of being a wet blanket, however it might behoove you to visit the escapees website and read the experiences of guys that worked delivering RV,s. Thier posts indicate they can't make more than minimum wage at this occupation, and the wear and tear on their trucks was terrible.<br>[/quote]<br>I work for an RV dealer and have 2 other dealerships that I do there delivery of all there trailers from Goshen, In.<br>I'm not going to say that knock the bank wall down, but I do make enough to pay the truck payments, Insurance, all the maintance, and I still have enough to enjoy all the fun I want to do.<br>So I guess you have to find the right people to work for.<br>As for working for a trucking company, and using your truck to fill there pockets, and they are so kind to give you 21% of the revenue.<br>NOT ON YOUR LIFE&gt; THEY ALL S***!!!!<br>Allen