Automated Safety Hitch

[sandilyn]

Hello - Has anyone experienced the Automated Safety Hitch? I'm thinking about getting one. The website as well as speaking to the folks that manufacturer them make it sound incredible. I'm hoping to get some feedback from folks that have purchased it.

Thanks.
Sandi

[notanlines]

Tell us a little about it Sandi! And mainly the need for this item.

[sandilyn]

I have a Keystone Cougar and a 2500 Silverado. According to the website it makes towing safer and easier to make turns, stop. Here's a Utube link with a demonstration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B_O2DASH5Q

[RoscoeV]

Depending on the cost, you may be able to upgrade to a larger 5th wheel and not have to buy a new truck. Then again I don't think these are very cheap.

[notanlines]

In my wildest dreams, I cannot imagine a real life need for this gimmick. Save your money.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by notanlines

In my wildest dreams, I cannot imagine a real life need for this gimmick. Save your money.

Maybe, maybe not. I just had an inspiration! I have small motorcycle trailer; will take the Andersen Ultimate out of my F250 bed and stick it on the trailer and then I can carry a bed full of junk and still pull the 5ver! I can hook my safety chains (legal TX thing) onto the bike trailer and be good to go! Do you think I will still be able to jackknife the 5ver 120 degrees like in the video?

[5J's]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Maybe, maybe not. I just had an inspiration! I have small motorcycle trailer; will take the Andersen Ultimate out of my F250 bed and stick it on the trailer and then I can carry a bed full of junk and still pull the 5ver! I can hook my safety chains (legal TX thing) onto the bike trailer and be good to go! Do you think I will still be able to jackknife the 5ver 120 degrees like in the video?

Should be good to go. Be sure to post the videos!!

[travelin texans]

Unless you have a SUV & want a 5th wheel that would be a huge waste of $$ behind a pickup. Also not once did the video show backing straight up, which would impossible with that setup.
It makes me cringe watching the tires scrub when backing close to 90 degrees into a sight, can't imagine them scrubbing doing a 180 like the u turn they did, that has to be very strenuous on the suspension.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Unless you have a SUV & want a 5th wheel that would be a huge waste of $$ behind a pickup. Also not once did the video show backing straight up, which would impossible with that setup.
It makes me cringe watching the tires scrub when backing close to 90 degrees into a sight, can't imagine them scrubbing doing a 180 like the u turn they did, that has to be very strenuous on the suspension.

The Safety hitch is attached at three points to the TV. Has caster wheels.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

The Safety hitch is attached at three points to the TV. Has caster wheels.

Yes saw that! Your point being?

[Pull Toy]

First thought... You're kidding... right?

Second thought... you pay the extra axle at EVERY TOLL STATION!

Third thought... Lots of $$$ up front for a GIMMICK that only lengthens your tow!

Fourth thought... how do you back THAT BEAST up?

Fifth thought ... NAH , NOT INTERESTED!!!

I'll keep my 5'er as G-D intended, and drive like a real trucker! LOL!!!

The only plus I see is ...

Good Luck,

[sourdough]

I'm 'sayin.….."Whaaaaaat's the point?" I see on only negatives and they've been pointed out. Looks to me like that contraption would turn a fun towing experience into "not so fun".

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

The Safety hitch is attached at three points to the TV. Has caster wheels.

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Yes saw that! Your point being?

It acts as an extension of the TV frame it doesn't pivot at the TV attachment point.
I also agree with all of Pull Toy's points, if used by an SUV to tow a 5er, it would need to be a small 5er as most don't have enough towing capacity to tow 12,000#.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

It acts as an extension of the TV frame it doesn't pivot at the TV attachment point.
I also agree with all of Pull Toy's points, if used by an SUV to tow a 5er, it would need to be a small 5er as most don't have enough towing capacity to tow 12,000#.

It would like trying to back up a 30' toad behind a motorhome. Yes you can back it up....about a foot!

[5J's]

Yep, I agree!! Also in some states length will be a limiting factor.

[flybouy]

Looks to me like an expensive attempt to compensate for insuficiant truck or insuficiant driving skills. In either case in my opinion spend the money on more truck or driving lessons. JMHO

[BadmanRick]

The purpose of towing a 5th wheel with a truck with a 5th wheel hitch is to get the SAFETY and Stability of a 5th wheel being towed like a Semi truck. To add a hitch mounted 5th wheel defeats the purpose of having a 5th wheel trailer. Would be much cheaper to buy a regular towable trailer. This idea is good for people who want to tow a 5th wheel with a very large SUV and Don’t have a pickup. Just saying.

[packnrat]

safe your money.
learn how to tow a trailer the corect way. a proper fithwheel hitch is a "safety hitch. turning a fifth wheel into a bumper two is a down grade.
also why pay more for state reg for a tow dolly? added insurance, and tolls?
does not add towable weight but adds unusable weight to the combined weight and your over all length. added maintance costs. ( bet it does not use the same tires as your truck or trailer).
i see nothing ut FAIL here.

[larryflew]

Agreed it's a solution looking for a problem to fix. Now if it had a GM 350 built in you could tow your 5th wheel with your bicycle.

[fmitzen]

From what I can see, you are just adding a tow dolly to the front of your fifth wheel. What's the point, unless it locks up solid you won't be able to back up with it. Also it will overload axles somewhere.