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11-22-2021, 09:53 PM
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#1
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Chris and Cecil
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Fleahop, Alabama
Posts: 149
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just upgraded to a 5th wheel
We just upgraded to a 5th wheel from our Microlite 25FKS and the dealer offered an option of safety chains for the pin hitch. Seems to me that if it's a safety issue chains would be standard. Does anyone have opinions on this so called option?
Thanks!
__________________
2022 Grand Design 295 RL fifth wheel with Anderson hitch
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty diesel
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11-23-2021, 06:50 AM
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#2
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Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alabama Potter
We just upgraded to a 5th wheel from our Microlite 25FKS and the dealer offered an option of safety chains for the pin hitch. Seems to me that if it's a safety issue chains would be standard. Does anyone have opinions on this so called option?
Thanks!
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For a conventional 5th wheel pin that is bolted into the bed the chains are not necessary. If you are using one of the Anderson style hitches that use a ball and coupler connection (think big trailer ball) then it will depend on your state. In PA an Anderson hitch or gooseneck (the one that makes a 5th wheel pin to a gooseball coupling) adapted 5th wheel would need chains. This does not matter where you came from, just within our state.
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Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
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11-23-2021, 07:31 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,049
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alabama Potter
We just upgraded to a 5th wheel from our Microlite 25FKS and the dealer offered an option of safety chains for the pin hitch. Seems to me that if it's a safety issue chains would be standard. Does anyone have opinions on this so called option?
Thanks!
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I'm on my third 5'er and have been towing one for the last 16 years. I used both a Reese and B & W Companion hitch. Certain gooseneck style hitches do require them. Otherwise, don't need 'em!
__________________
2020 Forest River Sabre 37FLH
2013 Ford F-350 XL Crew Cab 6.7L Diesel DRW
Tulip, the Wonder-Shepherd
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11-24-2021, 07:47 PM
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#4
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Chris and Cecil
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Fleahop, Alabama
Posts: 149
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doc73
For a conventional 5th wheel pin that is bolted into the bed the chains are not necessary. If you are using one of the Anderson style hitches that use a ball and coupler connection (think big trailer ball) then it will depend on your state. In PA an Anderson hitch or gooseneck (the one that makes a 5th wheel pin to a gooseball coupling) adapted 5th wheel would need chains. This does not matter where you came from, just within our state.
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Thanks for the response.
__________________
2022 Grand Design 295 RL fifth wheel with Anderson hitch
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty diesel
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11-26-2021, 05:49 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
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What you DO need is an emergency brake for the 5er. It activates the trailer brakes in the event of a disconnection.
It attaches to the camper and a pin with a metal lanyard connects to the truck or hitch. In the event of a disconnection the lanyard pulls the pin out and the trailer brakes slam to full on.
https://external-content.duckduckgo....jpg&f=1&nofb=1
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
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11-26-2021, 02:29 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: NJ
Posts: 606
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GPs37FLH
I'm on my third 5'er and have been towing one for the last 16 years. I used both a Reese and B & W Companion hitch. Certain gooseneck style hitches do require them. Otherwise, don't need 'em!
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X2
I'm also on my 2nd fiver without safety chains. To me the fact that the manufacturers don't include standard safety chains they aren't necessary. Also, and I just was thinking of the for the first time, so my logic may be flawed, but it seems to me chains would need to be quite long to account for the swing of the trailer and height of the kingpin, and long chains wouldn't prevent the trailer from coming down hard on the TV in case of separation. Also, there doesn't seem to be a place on the trailer or the hitch to attach chains. If you are seriously concerned about trailer separation you may want to look into one of the devices designed to catch the kingpin if the fiver does break loose.
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DrLewie
Flemington, NJ
Former: 2007 Cardinal 30W LE
Now:2018 Arctic Fox 27-5L
2008 Ford F-250 Long Bed Diesel
Total of 30 Months on the Road Since 2008
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11-26-2021, 02:39 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrLewie
X2
If you are seriously concerned about trailer separation you may want to look into one of the devices designed to catch the kingpin if the fiver does break loose.
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A friend of mine has one such device on a B&W hitch. Im sure it would work if needed but he, as me too have never had any need for that device.
My best advice to OP, GOAL (Get Out And Look) ion this case look at the pin in the jaws from directly behind the truck. Is the flange, on the bottom of the pin  , below the jaws or sitting on top of them. 
If the former you are good to go, if the latter, do it again because you are about to lose ur camper!
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
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11-26-2021, 02:45 PM
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#8
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,143
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alabama Potter
We just upgraded to a 5th wheel from our Microlite 25FKS and the dealer offered an option of safety chains for the pin hitch. Seems to me that if it's a safety issue chains would be standard. Does anyone have opinions on this so called option?
Thanks!
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What kind of hitch are you getting?
Certain states require safety chains on any 5th wheel travel trailers connected by something OTHER than a 5th wheel plate/king pin type hitch.
I know of no state that requires safety chains for 5th wheel plate/king pin type hitches for 5th wheel travel trailers.
Safety chains are not meant to 'catch' the trailer to prevent damage to the truck/bed in case of a mis-hitch. Proper hitching procedures and a 'pull test' BEFORE completely raising the landing gear will eliminate dropping the 5th wheel on the bed of the truck.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
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