Short Bed and 5th Wheels
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 4
From: Texas
If I remember correctly, the pin needs to be a minimum 52" from the cab to keep from hitting it in a jacknife turn. Design of the nose can help when it is angled at the corners. Also, on very unlevel surfaces, the pin box MAY contact the bed of the pickup. Taking it easy and always watching the movement will usually keep all of the above from happening.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
The RV designers are gettings smarter about this. Many of the fivers have front end designs to make them towable with a short bed. Find a trailer before you buy a slider hitch. For an automatic slide, the Pullrite Superglide's a good choice. We sell a slider with our TrailerSaver air-ride hitch. It's not automatic, but comes with a remoate control so you don't have to get out the truck.
Check out the Titaniums if you're still looking for a fiver. They seem to have the best design for towing with a short bed.
Check out the Titaniums if you're still looking for a fiver. They seem to have the best design for towing with a short bed.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: The real NY UPSTATE
It all depends on the design of the 5th wheel. I have a Lakota 32ft 5th wheel with the full heigth front end and extended pin box. I tow with a short box (6.5') F250. I can only swing about 60 degrees without sliding the hitch (reese 16K slider). That is adaquate for most situations but in a tight spot like backing into a campsite from a narrow road I do have to slide it back. It is easy to do and doesn't cause any problems. Go ahead and tow it!!
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Boulder City, Nevada
I tow a fifth-wheel with a Husky slider but have never had to engage it. My truck can turn pretty sharp without getting close to my cab. Some trailers need a slider and some don't. I guess its best to install one in case you ever need it. Most can only be used for slow driving and not all the time as they shift the weight to the rear of the truck. After your sharp turn you should move the slider back to its original position over the axle.
Randy
Randy
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: The real NY UPSTATE
right on. The hitch in the rear position is only for slow speed manuvering; returning it to the normal tow position is part of my check list before getting underway.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
I bought a pullrite & love it theirs no remembering anything, it works everytime. in my case I knew i could get by with a manual slide, but what if you get into a jacknife situation on the highway? I have my 2 kids in that back seat where the trailer would be coming through. a couple grand is cheap insurance. by the way I bought mine on e-bay for $1050. shipped you can get good deals their if you watch for it. as far as shortbeds go they pull great I have a jayco 305rk & dont even know it`s back there. I also pulled my dads 38 foot victory lane toy hauler from ohio to florida with the pullrite it worked great. that one I knew was there though it has A pinweight of 2900 lb & dry weight around 11,000. ive got a f-250 cc shortbed 6.0 his trailer really needs a dually.
Last edited by johnny567; Nov 30, 2007 at 02:12 PM.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
I have an 01' F350 Crew cab with a short bed. Both of the Fivers that I have had (a Couger and now an Everest) I orderd from the factory with the extended hitch pin. I have towed to at least 40 states without a problem. Besides, it is very hard on the tires, wheels, and supension to jacknife a trailer in order to back it in.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cameronm
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
8
Mar 14, 2011 03:12 PM
motor-man
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
8
Apr 9, 2010 07:30 PM
