We are looking at going to a 5th wheel from a TT. I keep hearing people talking about being able to turn 90 degrees. I really want to do with the standard B&W hitch in my F-350 with the 6'11" bed. I realize if I turn too sharp I can damage the truck and camper, but I figure if I can turn a 5ver to 80degrees, that is alot sharper than the probably 45 degrees I can turn my TT. My current TT is 33', and the 5ver we are looking at is 35', so actual towing length will be shorter. Am I missing something?

14 years towing the 5er and never once came close to 90 degrees. Even in some tight campgrounds.

MFL wrote:IMO, twisting to 90 degrees is just foolish, adds unnecessary stress to tires/wheels/suspension. As to the need...being a TT owner now, do you turn or back to 90 degrees? Of course you don't, you would hit truck/trailer.I have no issue turning/backing with my Ford standard bed, using a B&W non-sliding hitch. I'm more concerned about height clearance, with a FW, than hitting my cab.Nope, you're not missing anything, except that your overthinking the angle needed when towing a FW. Just like the TT, just a bit of pull forward to straighten, before continuing to back, is just common sense when backing any trailer.JerryThanks Jerry, that’s what I was thinking that I was only at probably 45 degrees with my TT, so even 75 would be plenty.

I have a short bed GMC and a B&W manual slider. I normally don't use the slider. But when I need it I need it.We boondock in out of the way places, we may be miles down a dirt road. If I have to go through a large dip it's nice to slide the hitch back so the tailgate wont hit the bottom of the trailer when the front of the truck drops down. It's also great if we have to hitch up at an angle,The trailer is also much more maneuverable with the hitch slid back, comes in handy when getting into tight spots.

You don't need to get to 90 degrees, until you do. My experience has been that auto sliding hitches for short bed trucks are important.

I towed my fiver for nearly 20 years with short box trucks and a nonsliding hitch. It’s not hard to do. I recently purchased a B&W sliding hitch and use the slider much more than I thought I would. It’s nice for hooking up …. especially at an angle. It allows ample room to walk behind the truck with the tailgate down. I can access my front basement compartment without unhooking. Now that I slide the hitch back for tight maneuvering I run the hitch a little closer to the cab while towing. I think it might tow a little nicer adjusted this way.

How important is 90 degree turning? | Good Sam Community

BB_TX
Nomad
Oct 23, 2023
14 years towing the 5er and never once came close to 90 degrees. Even in some tight campgrounds.
wowens79
Explorer III
Oct 23, 2023
MFL wrote:
IMO, twisting to 90 degrees is just foolish, adds unnecessary stress to tires/wheels/suspension.

As to the need...being a TT owner now, do you turn or back to 90 degrees? Of course you don't, you would hit truck/trailer.

I have no issue turning/backing with my Ford standard bed, using a B&W non-sliding hitch. I'm more concerned about height clearance, with a FW, than hitting my cab.

Nope, you're not missing anything, except that your overthinking the angle needed when towing a FW. Just like the TT, just a bit of pull forward to straighten, before continuing to back, is just common sense when backing any trailer.

Jerry

Thanks Jerry, that’s what I was thinking that I was only at probably 45 degrees with my TT, so even 75 would be plenty.
GaryUT
Explorer II
Nov 29, 2023
I have a short bed GMC and a B&W manual slider. I normally don't use the slider. But when I need it I need it.
We boondock in out of the way places, we may be miles down a dirt road. If I have to go through a large dip it's nice to slide the hitch back so the tailgate wont hit the bottom of the trailer when the front of the truck drops down. It's also great if we have to hitch up at an angle,
The trailer is also much more maneuverable with the hitch slid back, comes in handy when getting into tight spots.
phillyg
Explorer II
Oct 23, 2023
You don't need to get to 90 degrees, until you do. My experience has been that auto sliding hitches for short bed trucks are important.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Oct 23, 2023
I towed my fiver for nearly 20 years with short box trucks and a nonsliding hitch. It’s not hard to do. I recently purchased a B&W sliding hitch and use the slider much more than I thought I would. It’s nice for hooking up …. especially at an angle. It allows ample room to walk behind the truck with the tailgate down. I can access my front basement compartment without unhooking. Now that I slide the hitch back for tight maneuvering I run the hitch a little closer to the cab while towing. I think it might tow a little nicer adjusted this way.
MFL
Nomad II
Oct 23, 2023
IMO, twisting to 90 degrees is just foolish, adds unnecessary stress to tires/wheels/suspension.

As to the need...being a TT owner now, do you turn or back to 90 degrees? Of course you don't, you would hit truck/trailer.

I have no issue turning/backing with my Ford standard bed, using a B&W non-sliding hitch. I'm more concerned about height clearance, with a FW, than hitting my cab.

Nope, you're not missing anything, except that your overthinking the angle needed when towing a FW. Just like the TT, just a bit of pull forward to straighten, before continuing to back, is just common sense when backing any trailer.

Jerry
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Oct 23, 2023
Long bed, no compromise. :B
garyp4951
Explorer III
Oct 23, 2023
I've had a B&W Companion for 20 years, and tried the B&W sliding base for a while, but after it tore up the top of my tailgate once I went back to the Companion base.
I have it set 3" behind the axle and no problems with Ram short bed.
lenr
Explorer III
Oct 23, 2023
I will use my manual slider hitch when I just don't want to have to watch closely. It's hard to tell the difference between 3" clearance or 1" too far in a turn. I've dented both sides of the cab.
spoon059
Explorer II
Oct 23, 2023
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Long bed, no compromise. :B

And you usually get a much bigger fuel tank with the long bed, another huge upgrade!