Fifth wheel relocation for traction.
 

Hey guys, I have my day cab Aeromax that I'm using for a heavy hauler. Problem I'm running into is weight distribution. When the lowboy is loaded running on concrete the truck doesn't want to turn. I have the rear most axle locked for running on dirt. I want to keep it locked. I have read somewhere that some have moved the fifth wheel forward. That's what I want to do. I just don't know how far, 1/4" , center it over axles, or just forward of center? Battery is 5000mah under hood and front tires are filled with bb's. I do have a set of locking axles but really didn't want to use them on this if I can help it. That's why I was wondering about getting some weight farther forward. Lowboy is hauling 60+ # excavator. Truck suspension has been upgraded. High turn motor. That's stock tranny for now, upgrades in the works, or when she lets go :).

Re: Fifth wheel relocation for traction.
 

I flipped my plate around to get the fifth over both axles
http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5d49ed43.jpg
and over the first axle
http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...psfde4v3co.jpg

Re: Fifth wheel relocation for traction.
 

I used to drive an old ford Louisville 1:1 with a wheel base a tad shorter than yours and it wouldn't turn to save itself. With out being able to slide it to its sweet spot I'd go with what bigford said, if you can get it that far with the trailer.

Re: Fifth wheel relocation for traction.
 

If you check out my aeromax rebuild thread I made a sliding 5th wheel. does make a difference. That said I had to change out the stock servo saver on the steering servo. As well I wore out a bushing servo on my steering very fast. use a good quality bearing servo.

Re: Fifth wheel relocation for traction.
 

Well I moved if forward to where the pin is just forward of center axels. Still doesn't want to turn going forward. But does good in reverse. It's the weight on the locked axle. So it looks like I'll wait till I get on something other than slick concrete and see. Or put the locker axles in it but didn't want to do that. Could unlock but then driving on dirt it would get stuck bobtailing. But in first gear it pulls well. Have it locked in first. Thanks guys, if and when I get around to messing with it more I'll revisit this :)

Re: Fifth wheel relocation for traction.
 

Lol! That was the first thing that let go! The stock servo saver. I am just using a regular servo arm with high torque metal servo, bearing too. Thanks for the input. :)

Re: Fifth wheel relocation for traction.
 

I flip the 5th wheel around on the plastic plate. Then bolt the plate back down to the frame.

A standard setting s 9" ahead of center on 1:1 trucks. But I find the rc trucks need more to get the weight up front.( gravity does not scale)

The turning problem you are having is that the locked axel is pushing the steer axle .i lock both my axles and have the same issue with my tractors as you do. I placed my battery over the trans to get as much weight up front.They turn much better in loose dirt. Also the stock tamiya springs are to soft and you end up riding on the axle stops when pulling a trailer with any weight on it. This compounds the push effect on the steer axle. I once added a little WD40 to the 5th wheel and it helped a little but can get messy.

It's a problem you live to deal with if you want a truck to get thru the dirt.

Re: Fifth wheel relocation for traction.
 

If you move it forward, keep in mind that stock Tamiya trailers might not fit anymore. I moved mine forward on the SWB King Hauler, and then had to move the king pins on my trailers as well.

Re: Fifth wheel relocation for traction.
 

If you have a Twin Screw tractor and the fifth wheel is fixed here in NY you would have it 1 inch ahead of center of the trenion or between the drive axles center. Ed

Re: Fifth wheel relocation for traction.
 

I'm sure its a foolish suggestion or you have already done this, but what about adding more weight to the tractor? I.e. metal fuel tanks, steps,stacks metal front Axel, wheelsetc....

Re: Fifth wheel relocation for traction.
 

Add BB's to the front tires and if that is not enough addd BB's to the tanks and steps as well if you can. Add as much weight to the front of the truck as you can because it is getting light enough it wont turn so it wont hurt.