Trucker Bernadette Posted June 7 Report Share Posted June 7 Hi, I’m an active long haul owner op (26 years) and recently retired my 2011 International Prostar (Wally). He’s got 1.1 million miles but only 300k on new Cummins ISX engine. While I’m somewhat handy I want a pro to replace my orig fifth wheel with one to tow a DRV or similiar 5th wheel as well as do the electrical work. I wasn’t planning on changing much and I’ll keep the dual axles but, where or who can swap out the 5th wheel and get me hooked up right? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted June 7 Report Share Posted June 7 (edited) Really any fab shop or machine shop can do it. I just threw a 3/4 plate on and bolted a Comfort ride on. https://i.imgur.com/YqpE0qhl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/YqpE0qhl.jpg Edited June 7 by jenandjon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trucker Bernadette Posted June 8 Author Report Share Posted June 8 Is there a specific hitch that works best? Someone said an ET? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trucker Bernadette Posted June 8 Author Report Share Posted June 8 Did you single out the drives? I wasn’t going to touch the axles. Can an RV dealer install/hookup electrical? I mean, if someone buys a camper from them and uses a regular pickup truck, I’d think the dealer could handle setting up the electrical connections, doing it on my rig shouldn’t be hard, isn’t it mostly just a different pigtail? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Heiser Posted June 8 Report Share Posted June 8 (edited) 4 hours ago, Trucker Bernadette said: Did you single out the drives? I wasn’t going to touch the axles. Can an RV dealer install/hookup electrical? I mean, if someone buys a camper from them and uses a regular pickup truck, I’d think the dealer could handle setting up the electrical connections, doing it on my rig shouldn’t be hard, isn’t it mostly just a different pigtail? Converting from Commercial to RV 7 pin connectors requires some hardware with relays to take the separated brake and turn signal on the commercial side and make it a combined brake/turn signal on the TV side. The most common way of doing this with forum members here is using a Jackalope kit. It was developed by a forum member here and he has a thread going talking about upgrades he has recently made to the installation manual and kit. I doubt any typical RV dealer is going to be knowledgeable about the conversion. If you have any basic electrical skills, it is a fairly straightforward DIY project though. on edit: here is the thread I mentioned Edited June 8 by Chad Heiser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted June 9 Report Share Posted June 9 On 6/7/2023 at 9:55 PM, Trucker Bernadette said: Is there a specific hitch that works best? Someone said an ET? ET is the most expensive hitch on the market. I opted for the Comfort ride. There are a ton of trailer saver hitches out there as well. They are more affordable and easier to DIY yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted June 9 Report Share Posted June 9 On 6/7/2023 at 9:58 PM, Trucker Bernadette said: Did you single out the drives? I wasn’t going to touch the axles. Can an RV dealer install/hookup electrical? I mean, if someone buys a camper from them and uses a regular pickup truck, I’d think the dealer could handle setting up the electrical connections, doing it on my rig shouldn’t be hard, isn’t it mostly just a different pigtail? As Chad Said get the Jackalopee. It comes plug and play now. Remove your old pigtail and plug this in. It converts your commercial truck wiring to RV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted June 12 Report Share Posted June 12 (edited) It's been 2 years since I priced, but the TrailerSaver, a pretty good hitch, was about $1k cheaper than the ET, top-o-the-heap. I think they were about $3.500,v. $4,500 ish back then. I opted for the ET because, A), we had a TailerSaver and while it did okay, I wanted better, and 2) This truck will very likely be pulling a heavier trailer in a few years. Edited June 12 by rickeieio Software glitch changes what I type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpsinc Posted June 12 Report Share Posted June 12 Just bought a TS and was available to ship right away after they added the 3rd bag with $65 shipping. The ET was out 4-6 weeks before I could get an answer as to availability and I have heard that some are seeing 14-16 weeks for 1. Well I didnt want to wait and I had a TS in the past and it was suitable for what I wanted to use it for. Oh, and the shipping to me was about $475 and they were priced about $1500 more than the TS was at just under $4000. 32K# capacity and 7500 pin capacity. Worked for what I wanted. So now its installed and pulling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick & Alana Posted June 12 Report Share Posted June 12 I have a used ET Hitch for sale. it’s listed in the for sale section or private message me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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