RVK3300 with Ram Short box EDIT

I guess thats why some spend thousands to go IS, pretty much all leaf spring RV suspensions are created equal. Myself, I have no problems with standard suspension , a little bit of upgrades , and no where near thousands spent ,and I have no issues . But then again you have to know what upgrades to do

Sailun tires , and a little bracing good to go !!!

Tires and axles "should be" designed to handle the stress of tight turns. If they can't, well they are a POS.

MFL wrote:
I also would never twist my axles on dry pavement, such as in the pics. Pics themselves show that this tight angle, is no longer backing, but just pushing the front. I would rather have pulled forward a little, to lessen the angle, before continuing to back.

Most times, an experienced tower, such as the OP, will be able to safely tow a FW, with the pin directly over axle center on a standard bed truck.

Jerry

The only time I back tighter then I like is into my driveway, and I still don't like the stress on the axles or tires, but it is what it is. But nowhere near those pictures. I have been towing a fifth wheel safely for the past 13 years with two different short bed trucks . With the Ram being the shortest . I have never quite understood the need for 90 degrees, but I guess there are some that need to get that tight. I can only imagine the stress .

I have towed four different fifth wheels with those two trucks, anywhere from 2" forward of axle center to 2" rear of axle center, without issue. As you said the OP should not have a problem with a fixed hitch on the center of axle on a short bed , I still use the old terminogly " short bed " :)

MFL wrote:
I also would never twist my axles on dry pavement, such as in the pics. Pics themselves show that this tight angle, is no longer backing, but just pushing the front. I would rather have pulled forward a little, to lessen the angle, before continuing to back.

Most times, an experienced tower, such as the OP, will be able to safely tow a FW, with the pin directly over axle center on a standard bed truck.

Jerry

Very well said.

I also would never twist my axles on dry pavement, such as in the pics. Pics themselves show that this tight angle, is no longer backing, but just pushing the front. I would rather have pulled forward a little, to lessen the angle, before continuing to back.

Most times, an experienced tower, such as the OP, will be able to safely tow a FW, with the pin directly over axle center on a standard bed truck.

Jerry

spud1957 wrote:

Learjet wrote:
here is what it looked like with the 18K Patriot with the arms all the way back...when I had a Ford.

That last picture makes up my mind. Way too close for me. If the trailer tires were on uneven ground, it could tap the cab.

I am not at all worried about my trailer hitting the my cab because I never have a need to put my truck/trailer at an angle where they get close. Even with a slider if you keep backing up cutting to a tighter and tighter angle you will eventually have the trailer hit your cab. At any rate as Biofgren pointed out a slider is only of value if you are going to use it and most who have a manual slider don't bother to use it because they don't think they need it. If I was worried about cab to trailer clearance I would buy an auto slider.

spud1957 wrote:

Learjet wrote:
here is what it looked like with the 18K Patriot with the arms all the way back...when I had a Ford.

That last picture makes up my mind. Way too close for me. If the trailer tires were on uneven ground, it could tap the cab.

You might want to consider an Andersen, I tow with the steel rail mount Andersen ,and have no problem with clearance with my Ram 3500 short bed . Matter of fact with the rounded corners of my present fifth wheel I have turned the Andersen adapter around putting the fifth wheel closer to the cab . Still not an issue , I have no idea how much of an angle I can back, the most I have so far is getting back into my RV pad beside the house, and thats not a problem. I can get pretty tight.

I have to guess with the adjustments of a B&W its also putting the fifth wheel further back from the cab, or rearward of axle center, as did the Andersen. If needed I could run the Andersen the same which I did, but as mentioned I was able to move it forward. My previous fifth wheel I ran the Andersen a bit further back , putting it slightly rearward of the center of axle.

The simplicity of the Andersen is what I like the most, easy to hitch, and unhitch , no moving parts, nothing to adjust or replace. I also tow with a Reese 18K slider, which I have gotten away from the more I use the Andersen. I have never yet pulled the slider back on the Reese. Mostly likely will sell the Reese ,or just let it collect dust in the garage. :)

Learjet wrote:
here is what it looked like with the 18K Patriot with the arms all the way back...when I had a Ford.

That last picture makes up my mind. Way too close for me. If the trailer tires were on uneven ground, it could tap the cab.

here is what it looked like with the 18K Patriot with the arms all the way back...when I had a Ford.

I don't have the B&W, but I do have the Ram (Curt) slider in my Ram. I never use the slider and wouldn't hesitate to go to a non-slider if I were replacing the hitch. Hope this helps.