MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A FIFTH WHEEL

A mounting arrangement (1; 101; 201) for mounting a trailer coupling to a tractor vehicle with a chassis that has a pair of rearwardly extending opposite left and right frame side members (9, 11; 109, 111; 209, 211) that includes opposite left and right bearing blocks (5, 7; 105, 107; 205, 207). The opposite left and right bearing blocks (5, 7; 105, 107; 205, 207) each have a support surface and a pivot bearing for being fixed directly or indirectly to the chassis of the tractor vehicle. A coupling saddle plate (3; 103; 203) is pivotally mounted from the opposite pivot bearings of the left and right bearing blocks (5, 7; 105, 107; 205, 207), while a diagonal cross brace (35; 135; 235) is provided between at least one of the left and right bearing blocks and a respective one of the transversely opposite right or left frame side members (9, 11; 109, 111; 209, 211). The diagonal cross brace (35; 135; 235) comprises at least one diagonally extending leg (39, 41; 139, 141) that is adapted to extend laterally inwardly and diagonally downward from at least one of the left and right bearing blocks (5, 7; 105, 107; 205, 207).