How did 5th wheel get its name?

fxwannabe · 09-15-2008, 08:41 PM

So why is it called a 5th wheel? I have never really understood it. Gooseneck is pretty obvious but where does 5th wheel come from?

paulm85 · 09-15-2008, 08:48 PM

I think way back in the day the trucks that first pulled trailers with a hitch like that only had 4 tires so it was nicknamed the 5th wheel cause it looked like a spare tire maybe?? Im too young to know for sure though

Buck08 · 09-15-2008, 08:49 PM

Good question!! I guess I never thought about where came up with that one.

fxwannabe · 09-15-2008, 08:58 PM

Its been driving me nutz for years. Guess I should just google it.

***MR4WLR*** · 09-15-2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fxwannabe

So why is it called a 5th wheel? I have never really understood it. Gooseneck is pretty obvious but where does 5th wheel come from?

Take a look here

mrmacs · 09-15-2008, 09:03 PM

IIRC, the TV show "How It's Made" showed the manufacture of an old-fashioned horse-drawn wagon. The steering was from a "wheel" mounted horizontally under the frame, and the whole front axle pivoted on that "wheel". The modern trailers pivot, or steer, from that same point in front. Just like the old-time wagons. My $0.02...

***snackpack*** · 09-15-2008, 09:03 PM

wild!!!!! thats cool, thanks MR4WLR

fxwannabe · 09-15-2008, 09:05 PM

Well ain't that something. I also dug this up.

The term fifth wheel comes from a similar coupling used on four-wheel horse-drawn carriages and wagons. The device allowed the front axle assembly to pivot in the horizontal plane, to improve turning. from Wikipedia

ronlessor · 08-14-2009, 09:38 PM

Google Robert McLaughlin, 1880, gear of wagon.

Regards,

Ron L