Forum Discussion

afishinado's avatar
afishinado
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2014

How many of you pull a 5er with a standard bed?

I don't need a 8' bed do I?
Now (unless the scales show me differently) I can do a 3/4 ton instead of a 1 ton...
I really want to keep this vehicle as compact as I can.. We will do a little off road touring without the trailer on the trip, and we're dry camping on a horse preserve for a week as an example. The Harleys will stay inside... Last time I did the trip in my Tahoe, it was almost too big, but I really don't need to follow the little pink Jeeps around Sedona anymore :B

If all I were concerned about was pulling the trailer I would just get a 1 ton dually, but it's the last thing I want to deal with. What I would love is an extended cab with a standard bed. It's only the wife, myself and 2 dogs... No need even for the CC.
SO... Can I get away with a standard bed?
  • Pullrite SuperGlide never worry about manual slide again been using mine for three years wouldn't be without it also my uncle also just had a sidewinder installed for his new short bed dodge that seems pretty cool also look them up REESE Revolution Sidewinder Fifth Wheel Demonstration from KEYSTONERVCENTER.COM type that in youtube
  • No need for a long bed. I have a Pullrite Superglide. The hitch automatically slides back as needed. You can have a short bed and not even think about truck/trailer clearance issues. They make them for industry standard fifth wheel rails. Estimated price will be about $1,700 to $1,800 installed with all hardware. good luck.
  • Extended King Pox...
    Slider Hitch - one of your liking , either manual or automatic....
    and you will be able to turn the rig tight... With that said , You will have a hard time staying within all the weights with a 250/2500 as the pin weight will snag you every time.... It is all about the payload. Good Luck and Happy Camping ( SOON ENOUGH! )
  • I have a short bed, I also have a slider. Have not yet needed to use the slider.
  • •6.5' standard bed pickup
    •extended king pin on the 5W
    •16K Reese hitch- non slider

    This is my 2nd 5W with this pickup and hitch. Have yet to see the need for a slider hitch because of the extended king pin and the front cap's corner indentations.
  • We have an extended cab and a bed length of about 6.5'. Use a slider hitch but very seldom need to use the slide, but nice to have, just in case. We also have a low profile utility box next to the cab and everything fits just fine. Seems to me you just want to make sure the truck has the capacities necessary to pull the weight.
  • I have been doing it with a B&W companion non sliding hitch for the last 8 years.
    2 different 5'vers with 2 different short bed extended cab Chevy's.
    I've never had any issues at all.

    That said, you do have to keep an eye on the back of the cab in VERY tight turns. I can turn just as sharp as I would be able to with a bumper hitch, so it isn't a problem.