Towed my 5th wheel yesterday for the first time. WOW what a difference than my '03 Ram. Nice smooth ride, plenty of power. Didn't even notice it was back there. Ran into a little issue when hooking up, the tailgate was right up against the trailer. The truck was straight to the trailer. Also notice that there is not a lot of room to walk between the bumper and the trailer. Has anyone else experienced this? Luckily I have a sliding hitch but this is going to be a pain to have to slide the hitch back every time I hitch and unhitch.

John

 

I'm actually waiting on our first 5er, trying to be patient but ...... I'm probably going to be in the same boat with you, sliding hitch and all. Sorry I don't have anything to offer, just wanted you to know you are not alone.

 

That doesn't sound right. On my rig with the tailgate down there may be 12" of clearance from the outer most edge of the tailgate to the front of the 5ver. Closed, I probably have 18-24", enough to walk between anyway. I have a demco autoslide, that when straight is fully forward. Are you sure your hitch is installed correctly? I don't mean to sound condescending, its just that I've never heard of such a problem.


Can you post any photo's that show your hitch, and your pin box?

 

I used the Reese no drill kit #50026 and it called that the rail closest to the tailgate be at 32 1/4". I will remeasure again tonight and try to hitch up and take a picture.

 

Just had a thought, what pin box is on the trailer? Could it be too short for your set-up? I'm new to 5th wheel so I'm just throwing out what crossed my mind.

 

You could get a Fifth Wheel Tailgate. Then you don't have to lower the gate, just back in.

 

Well I checked the measurements again and the rail is at 32 1/4" as the instructions call for. Here are some pictures hooked up with slider in both positions.
Hitch in maneuver position.

In the towing position.

This is how it looks in the towing position.

 

Time to trade up to a long bed!

 

I can walk sideways between my tail gate and trailer. You do have a problem somewhere.

 

With my 03 F350 CCLB I have only 4 inches between the front of my 02 Carriage Cameo with tailgate down. It is not really a problem as when it is up I can walk between them and there is plenty of room to turn even past 90 degrees. I do however normally back under just far enough to close the tailgate before hooking, gives me more room to hook up wiring. I haven't had any problems although a friend who does the same thing forgot the R was reverse and put his truck in drive instead with the resulting remodeled tailgate.

 

On my 2013, short box. I got the Reese #50073 no drill mounts for the frame.
Rails: From the end of the box (tailgate) to the back of rear rail, I'm 32 1/2 inches. Give me about 2-3 inches when hooked up to the fifth wheel.

I don't think a long box would help. Isn't the difference in size from the cab to the axle?

 

you need an extended pin box for a short bed.

 

Man, this just doesn't look right. I don't think I can remember seeing one that is so tight when the tailgate is up.

Steve

 

I'd be going REAL slow making a 90* turn with that thing! And have someone watching back there.

 

Yea, something isnt right. In my shortbed, when I'm hitched up, it looks like your truck in the maneuver position. I'd actually be afraid to turn corners in your rig as close as that is, even with the tailgate up. Can you take a couple more photos down into your pickup box of the hitch? And a photo of the entire pin box? It seems like your hitch is mounted too far forward, or your pinbox is too short. In your last photo, it almost looks like the kingpin is way forward of the rear axle too. Did you buy this trailer from a dealer? If so, I am very surprised they didnt say anything?