Newbie 5ver Towing Questions

[RobTurpin]

Hello everyone, my name's Rob and this is my first post. My wife and I have owned a 26' travel trailer for a few years now, and we're almost certainly going to sell it and buy my mom's older fifth wheel.

Our tow vehicle is a 2008 F-350 Crew Cab (4 full doors), with a short bed (80" inside length, and 37.5" from the front inside rim to the rear axle).

The fifth wheel is a 2005 Holiday Rambler Alumascape 36' total length. My step father has the exact same truck as me, but his has a long bed, and he tows it using a Draw-Tite 40258 4-point hitch. I have taken some initial measurements which may help answer my questions.

I need some expert advice on how to begin deciding what options I have to pull this 5ver with my shortbed truck.

I searched the forums here, and found some good info on similar situations, but nothing really laying out all of the available options to help me make the right choice for me.

Thank you very much for your wisdom!

[Preventum2004]

Wondering about the sidewinder as my new short bed needs something. Doesn't moving the weight of the pin back 22 inches move it behind the center of the rear axle? I know it appears that the hitch is still got weight on it, but maybe some of you engineers can tell me it makes no difference or not 🙂

[Old-Biscuit]

5th wheel trailer is 96" wide......1/2 of that distance is 48"

5th wheel hitch is mounted either over rear axle or even 2" forward.

Measure distance from back of cab to center line of rear axle
Less than 46" you have an 'impact' situation when making maneuvers

Sliding 5th wheel hitch....various brands
Sliding king pin assembly...Sidewinder etc
Off set hitch.......Anderson etc
Extended Pin Box

[laknox]

A lot of people buy slider hitches of one sort or another, then never end up using them. Personally, my 6.5' bed '02 Duramax will NOT hit my very square-front FW going forward, in either direction, at full lock. It is a crew cab and 4wd, so that may affect the turning radius. ALL will hit going backwards, a slider just gives you more room before you hit. My personal recommendation is the B&W Companion, whether the "standard" one that fits in their gooseneck base, the Patriot that fits on universal rails, or their slider. Great products and a great company to back them.

Lyle

[gledav46]

I use this....love it

http://www.hitchsource.com/andersen-ultimate-5th-wheel-connection-rail-version-p-35158.html

[kzspree320]

I have a Ram with a shorter bed than your Ford. I never think about clearance issues since I have a Pullrite Superglide hitch. It's a few extra dollars but worth it to me.

[kampinguru]

Also look at a Pullrite superglide hitch system. It is an automatic slider hitch that takes the worry out of remembering to slide. I use it on my truck which is also a short bed and the trailer does not hit.

[RobTurpin]

Hi Newman, I found the Reese Sidewinder (which is called the revolution in some youtube videos). So that basically moves the pivot point rearward about 22", giving me plenty of corner & bed rail clearance?

That definitely sounds like perhaps the simplest option (I really don't want to have anything more to remember to do while towing!!). How does it compare in strength, stability and price with other options?

I noticed that it only comes with a 5-year warranty, is that good/bad?

[newman_fulltime]

get a side winder pin box and enjoy