SAF-HOLLAND XL-FW484 FW33 and XA-331 LowLube Series Fifth Wheels - Manual (Page 3)

XL-FW484 Rev E SAF-HOLLAND, Inc. 3
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Installation
General Recommendations
1. Every user and installer using SAF-HOLLAND products either recommended or not recommended by SAF-
HOLLAND, must thoroughly satisfy himself that the installation procedure used is appropriate for the vehicle,
product and application.
2. Consult the SAF-HOLLAND literature for fifth wheel capacities and applications.
3. Consult the tractor manufacturer’s body builder’s book and the latest SAE and D.O.T. standards for additional
installation methods. SAF-HOLLAND recommends the T.M.C. Recommended Maintenance Practice 603B for
installation procedures.
4. Determine the proper fifth wheel position, or, in the case of a sliding fifth wheel, the range of proper
positions. Proper positioning of the fifth wheel is important for weight distribution, swing clearance and
handling characteristics. See SAE J701a for proper placement, as well as the tractor manufacturer’s body
builder’s book.
5. Use only new Grade 8, 5/8˝ minimum diameter bolts and new Grade “C” locknuts in all mounting holes.
6. Bolt holes can be 1/32˝ larger in diameter than the bolt fastener. Bolts must be adequately tightened using
charted torque ranges in foot-pounds for the recommended Grade 8, 5/8˝ diameter bolts. Larger diameter
Grade 8 bolts and coated fasteners may be used.
7. The bolts attaching the fifth wheel mounting angles to the truck frame require hardened steel washers under
both the bolt and under the locknut, unless flanged head bolts or flanged head locknuts are employed.
8. A minimum of 5 bolts are required to attach each stationary mounting angle and a minimum of 6 bolts are
required to attach a sliding fifth wheel frame rail, and the distance between bolts must not exceed 8˝, except
when cutouts are required in the mounting angles. When attaching an outboard angle to the fifth wheel
slide plate, all mounting holes are to be used on each side.
9. Whenever a cutout is made on the mounting angle, such as required to bypass spring hangers, a 1˝ minimum
radius should be used and bolts should be placed within 1-1⁄2˝, but not closer than 1˝ of the cut, fore and aft.
10. The mounting angle should have a minimum thickness as shown in TABLE 1 and should be steel
specification ASTM A 36.
11. When initially positioning the fifth wheel
for frame holes, the full length of the fifth
wheel or slider mounting angles should seat
flush on the top and side surface of the
truck-tractor frame rails where channel-type
rails are employed. There should not be a
gap over the top of the truck frame rails.
The base of the fifth wheel assembly and
of the mounting angle members should
seat flush on the top of the frame rail to
prevent flexing and to give uniform weight
distribution. It is also recommended to
chamfer or smooth sharp edges and corners
of mounting materials wherever contact is made with the tractor frame.
12. If the fifth wheel is to be mounted using a mounting plate (bracket with mounting base), refer to TABLE 1 for
minimum plate thickness recommendations.
Do not use U-bolts in fifth wheel installations. Use only new Grade 8, 5/8˝ minimum
diameter bolts and new Grade C lock nuts in all mounting holes. Failure to do so
may result in structural failure of the installation with a potential loss of the fifth wheel assembly,
mounting structure, and/or trailer and could result in death or serious injury.
13. Trailer pick-up ramps are recommended at the rear of the truck-tractor frame.
14. When mounting to aluminum frames, follow the tractor manufacturer’s recommendations. SAF-HOLLAND
has available a stationary mounting angle intended for use with aluminum frames. Contact SAF-HOLLAND or
distributors of Holland brand products for availability.
15. Review, in addition, the specific information on the following pages for each type of fifth wheel mounting, as
well as “Inspection and Lubrication Prior to Use” on page 8 of this publication.
TABLE 1
Minimum Minimum
Fifth Wheel Mounting Angle Mounting Plate
Vertical Capacity Thickness Thickness
12,000 lbs. 1/4˝ 1/4˝
20,000 lbs. 5/16˝ 1/4˝
40,000/45,000 lbs. 5/16˝ 5/16˝
50,000/55,000 lbs. 3/8˝ 3/8˝
62,500/70,000 lbs. 1/2˝ 1/2˝
100,000 lbs. 3/4˝ 3/4˝
165,000 lbs. 3/4˝ 1˝