Can a fixed 5th wheel hitch be used on a standard bed truck?

Steerable wheels on cars and light trucks are limited to a 36-37 degree cut at full lock and a 90 degree turn will result in a truck to trailer angle around 45 degrees. Continuing to turn at full lock more than 90 degrees will result in contact. While an 8 ft bed is better, the problem still exists. Not staying at full lock for a complete turn makes a big difference. And as some understand, backing into a tight spot can still be done with a 6.5 ft bed/fixed hitch with a little extra jockeying back and forth. The extra time spent has the advantage of less stress on the trailer suspension/tires.

Travel trailers cannot be jack-knifed as sharp as the usual 6.5 ft bed/fixed hitch. TT owners don't have sliding hitches and can't see their point of contact as well as fiver owners. Yet they don't seem to have as many mistakes, or tire problems.

Too much thinking. Not enough camping.

(note that my truck is 3500 CC-LB)

My setup was my very first experience with a trailer. As a crewcab longbox dually the truck is a beast The 5er has an extended pinbox. Hitting the back of the cab never enters my mind. Try to avoid the stresses placed on the trailer by jacknifing it anyway.

At 55' bumper to bumper you just have to get used to it. It is not hard.

MFL wrote:
Right on Spud, the standard 8 foot bed went the way of the regular cab. The 6.5 bed took over standard status with the extended, and especially crew cabs.

The 8 foot bed still has it's place, but is considered long bed, and a crew cab, with a long bed, is a long truck.

I ordered what I wanted, what works best for me. Mine is an extended cab, standard bed, even though the crew cab may be the new standard.

Jerry

Dunno; I grew up with "long bed" and "short bed"...period. We all knew what was what. :h

Lyle

spud1957 wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
AS you have seen, the standard bed is 8' long. 6.5, 6 and 5.5 foot are all called short beds. Personally, I would not want a short bed as you have to deal with potentially hitting the cab with the trailer and to haul 8' long boards or a 4' x 8' piece of plywood, the tail gate has to be down.

Ken

Well, if you were to go to GM and order a "Standard" bed thinking you are going to get an 8' box, you will be sadly disappointed, GM refers to the 6'6" box as standard on their HD trucks and long for the 8'.

Because no one wants to have something "SHORT".

This is a quick and simple rule that I have applied in the past to find out how a 5th wheel coach will interact with the rear of the TV cab.

1- Measure from the center of the fixed 5th wheel (where the Pin would sit in the 5th wheel)to the back of TV cab = A
2- Measure from the center of the coach 5th Wheel Pin to the outer edge of the front of the coach = B

If the measurement of B is less than A you will have clearance when on a 90 degree angle.

PS: if the 5th wheel has not yet been installed in the TV, you can then estimate by measuring from the centre of the rear axle to the back of the cab. A properly installed 5th wheel should be positioned centre on the axle in the TV box. When in doubt add a few extra inches.
GPG

Beware of uneven ground, your cab to corner clearances will make some costly changes. Also your bed side rail to pin box / bottom of your overhang can change with terrain. (haven't learned the second oh sh!t yet)

My son bought a brand spanking new 2015 Dodge 3/4 ton to pull his new to him 5th wheel trailer. It has those contoured lower front corners. His 5th wheel is a non slider. Made a tight turn going very slow and broke his rear window and damaged the cab. Just because it has those contoured corners don't think that all is well with turning tight. I had a short box TV with a pullrite auto slider and loved it. I now have a 1 ton dually long box(8 ft) with a fixed 5th wheel. No problems......so far...knock on my head.

Slider hitches with short bed trucks are sorta like spare tires. No one ever needs one - until they do!! :e

Rusty

op wrote:
I also wrote to Prime Time's email address and was surprised to get a quick response - which is as follows:

Yes our Fifth wheel caps are designed to be used with a fixed hitch and a short bed truck, They are a 88 degree super turn front cap.

Well..... there you go.
Some folks camp/rv or park their trailer where they don't need to get into a 80-90 degree situation......but the rest of us need to do so at times so its good to know you will have enough cab/trailer clearance.

Just be aware on that cab/trailer clearance changes when the combo is on unlevel surfaces to each other such as a primitive campground or when boon dockin' it.

Now where's the dead horse picture :B