5th Wheel Turning with Shortbed

I have that set up and my turning radius is very good. Just keep an eye on truck when you make a tight turn you should have no problems at all just be aware. I get mine in and out of some pretty tight places and have never had a problem

You will have more than a bumper pull. Just how much is anyone's guess. It will vary based on trailer front cap design, location of hitch relative to front cap, location of ball relative to cab, etc. Only way of knowing for sure is to hook up and have someone watch and warn before it hits the cab.

I could lend you my spotter. "Keep turning. Keep turning... CRUNCH. Okay straighten it out."

I have a Ram 2500 with 6'4" bed. I have a fifth wheel with a Superglide. I'm not exactly sure with your gooseneck, but with a fifth wheel hitch right over rear axle probably about 65-75 degrees. That's why I have the Superglide. If your ball is behind the axle some, then that will get you a few more degrees. Hope this helps some.

BB_TX wrote:
You will have more than a bumper pull. Just how much is anyone's guess. It will vary based on trailer front cap design, location of hitch relative to front cap, location of ball relative to cab, etc. Only way of knowing for sure is to hook up and have someone watch and warn before it hits the cab.

This.

What I have done, it go to a big open parking lot with trailer and start to turn in a circle gradually tightening circle. Then check how may turns that you made when trailer gets close to truck cab.

Shouldn't be a problem. I've done my share of manoeuvering over the years with a 5'5" box...

Why not pull into the first big empty parking lot and find out.

That is what I did - the acid test.

With the Ram you probably have a 39 inch cab to axle (CA) distance and 48 inches for 1/2 fiver width. IF the front cap was totally flat, then the max angle would be 54 degrees (assuming an extended pin box with the pin at the front edge of the cap). Any notch or curve will improve on that. This is important info when making a turn greater than 90 degrees.

But for 90 degree turns you can't even get to 54 degrees while making the turn, so no problem. Your steering wheel cut is limited to 36 degrees max at full turn. So, if you started at full turn and the fiver didn't move an inch, then you would hit the 54 degree mark right at 90 degrees. But the fiver is going to move and cut inside the truck, so a more likely angle is around 45 degrees. And if you don't use the maximum steering wheel cut for the entire turn, then the real angle will be even less than 45 degrees.

Finally, if you are getting close to contact, then back up a few feet and change the angle of the turn.

Dayle1 wrote:
With the Ram you probably have a 39 inch cab to axle (CA) distance and 48 inches for 1/2 fiver width. IF the front cap was totally flat, then the max angle would be 54 degrees (assuming an extended pin box with the pin at the front edge of the cap). Any notch or curve will improve on that. This is important info when making a turn greater than 90 degrees.

But for 90 degree turns you can't even get to 54 degrees while making the turn, so no problem. Your steering wheel cut is limited to 36 degrees max at full turn. So, if you started at full turn and the fiver didn't move an inch, then you would hit the 54 degree mark right at 90 degrees. But the fiver is going to move and cut inside the truck, so a more likely angle is around 45 degrees. And if you don't use the maximum steering wheel cut for the entire turn, then the real angle will be even less than 45 degrees.

Finally, if you are getting close to contact, then back up a few feet and change the angle of the turn.

I ran into this a handful of times with my SB F250. I took the idea of folks with welding rigs who tow 5th wheels and installed a second set of rails putting the pin 52" behind the cab and 12" behind the axle. I know it goes against the manufacturer's recommendation but for us and our light pin weight, it works great. I can't tell the difference towing with the exception I can make full lock U-turns now.