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ErroneousBoshtoday at 8:20 AM1 replyview on HN

Some of the "fifth wheel" setups they have in the US are terrifying too.

Over here a "fifth wheel" coupling is a massive horseshoe-shaped plate that sits on the back of an artic tractor and is rated for some unholy loading and drawbar pull.

Over there it looks very much like a standard 50mm towball welded to the end of a metre or so of scaff tube sticking up from the floor of a pickup.

I used to do auto electrics for a guy who imported American cars to the UK and I was always amazed at just how janky the towing setups often were. It's no wonder people think they need a huge heavy truck when the towball is just bolted to thin sheet metal.


Replies

alamortsubitetoday at 2:48 PM

I don't know why you were down-voted, but I agree.

It's also alarming how often you see people towing trailers that aren't even close to being level here. It almost seems like SOP.