Oversigt: Mens pintle-trækket er en fantastisk mulighed for tunge transportspecialister, der flytter specialgods ind og ud af vanskeligt terræn, 5. hjul hitch er normalt bedst for de fleste transportører.

Højkvalitets JSK støbt vendehjul 37C

If you’re in heavy-duty freight or connecting multiple trailers, you’ve probably got a 5-wheel connection or been told that’s the way to go. But, you might have also heard whispers about the pintle hitch and what its hook-and-ring system can do. Sure, figuring out the most efficient way to move heavy freight might include trying newer options. But, when it comes to High Stakes Freight™, you have absolutely no room for expensive mistakes — your project and reputation are on the line. So, is the pintle hitch worth the risk?

I vores mange års erfaring indenfor construction logistics project management, we’ve learned there’s no yes-or-no answer — that the question is more nuanced. Here, we’re going to break down the basics of the different hitch systems as well as the pros and the cons of each before you make a decision to go either way. 

Hvad er en pintle hitch?

Before we get into what the hintle pitch does, let’s break down what it is exactly. This hitch system gets its name from the pintle, the hooking system that is attached to the truck or commercial vehicle framing. The lunette, which is the main ring the pintle hooks into, is attached to the trailer. Together, these parts create an extremely strong system that can handle a lot of weight while maintaining a large range of motion.

Hvad er fordelene ved en pintle hitch?

Because the pintle hitch has a wide range of motion and can carry such a heavy load, it’s ideal for uneven surfaces and off-road terrain. That’s why you’ll see farmers and even the military using pintle hitches on vehicles like agricultural and construction equipment. But, they’re also commonly used on dump trucks, equipment haulers and more. Finally, when it comes to tractor-trailers, it’s the class 5-8 trucks (medium- to kraftigt bugsering), der typisk vil bruge et pintle-træk.

H4: Hvornår skal man bruge en pintle hitch

Fordele ved Pintle hitch:

• Ekstremt tung bugseringskapacitet (op til 62.000 lbs)
• Stort bevægelsesområde
• Ideel til off-roading eller ujævnt terræn

Okay, hvad med ulemperne ved en pintle hitch?

While pintle hitches have a lot of powerful and unique advantages, that doesn’t necessarily make them the best go-to, all-around hitch system. 

For starters, pintle hitches can’t be used with weight distribution systems that spread the weight more evenly or with sway systems. Sway systems not only stop the trailer from swaying when it shouldn’t, but provide a smoother ride with more control. And if you’ve heard anything about the pintle hitch, you’ve probably heard it’s loud. So just how noisy is a pintle hitch? Well, it can be quite loud, often with the pintle and hook doing a lot of bouncing and banging. Plus, the pintle hitch can create a less-than-comfortable ride for passengers. 

Hvad er et 5. hjultræk?

Monteret over eller lige foran akslerne i lastbilens lad, den hesteskoformede 5. hjulophæng uses a kingpin mechanism to attach to the towing load. It gets its name from the days of horse-drawn wagons when the ‘fifth wheel’ pivot mechanism allowed steering from side to side.

Fordi anhængervægten er placeret mellem førerhuset og bagakslen, giver 5. hjulophæng mulighed for tungere belastninger og god drejning.

Hvad er fordelene ved et 5. hjultræk?

Known for its heavy-duty towing capacity, the 5th wheel is the typical ‘connection of choice’ for tractor trailers. Quite versatile, the 5th wheel hitch can carry different kinds of trailers weighing different amounts and with different distributions. This flexibility is key, allowing drivers to adjust the 5th wheel as needed. 

Men det, der også gør den ideel til semi-lastbiler, er, at den giver en masse vigtig kontrol og komfort for føreren, som at absorbere stødene fra ujævne veje, samtidig med at den giver lettere drejning og en øget venderadius. Disse funktioner gør det 5. hjultræk nemmere og praktisk at transportere varer. 

Hvornår skal man bruge et 5. hjultræk 

Fordele ved 5. hjultræk:

• Tung bugseringskapacitet (mellem 16.000 til 30.000 lbs)
• Stor manøvredygtighed
• Behagelig at køre på

Og ulemperne ved et 5. hjultræk?

Mens det 5. hjul giver chauffører en vis vigtig fleksibilitet med deres belastninger, såvel som nogle vigtige manøvredygtighed og komfort, har det nogle ulemper at overveje. 

Firstly, the 5th wheel hitch is quite heavy in itself, and that weight adds to your total weight overall, which you need to account for. Then there’s the fact that the 5th wheel is expensive — and you have to be sure you install it correctly and maintain it properly over time. 

What’s our final take on the pintle hitch vs the 5th wheel?

The pintle hitch is a great option for heavy-duty, specialty freight — meaning it’s not your everyday, garden-variety hitch system. 

The pintle hitch is best for those who specialize in heavy shipments, but also the experts who have to transport (heavy) specialty goods in and out of remote or difficult areas. Without a lot of comfort for the driver or typical control, it’s not something you really want to use unless you have to, anyway. Leave this one to the experts!

As for the 5th wheel hitch, this is your go-to, trusty hitch system. Adjustable, easy to maneuver and comfortable for the driver, just about every semi-truck driver can benefit from the help of a 5th wheel when transporting all kinds of goods. It’s a worthy investment for most that will pay off, especially with the right kind of maintenance and care. 
Har du flere spørgsmål om hitch-systemer, og hvilket der ville være bedst til din rig? Kontakt os via e-mail eller ring til os, så kan vi tage en snak om din unikke situation.