5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for a 2018 Ford F-250 with 6.5 Foot Bed and Grand Design 337 5th Wheel

Question:

I have a Grand Design 337 5th wheel and I have a 2018 Ford F250 crew cab with the 6.5 foot bed. This truck has 20 inch tires so the bed appears to be very high in relationship to the kingpin. Im considering the DEMCO 18K auto slider and Im concerned about the truck bed height and being able to couple and uncouple with this hitch. Is this the right hitch or should I consider another?

asked by: John

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Demco HiJacker I recommend looking at is actually # DM8550022 with installation kit # DM8551009. The one you referenced, # DM8550040, is rated for 13,000 pounds only and is designed for trucks with super short beds and not the regular short bed like you have on your 2018 Ford F-250.

Demco Hijacker # DM8550022 has 3 height settings, the lowest of which is 15-1/2 inches tall measured from the top of the bed corrugations to the top of the hitch head. Once the trailer is hooked up you will need about 5 or 6 inches from the tops of the bed sides to the bottom of the trailer overhang. Keep in mind that the pin box on most 5th wheel trailers can be adjusted up and down for even more adjustability.

Sometimes you can get the front of the hitch level but won't have enough space between the tops of the bed sides and the trailer overhang. In order to fix that issue you can use an over/under kit to raise the back of the trailer.

If you do think raising the trailer in the back is the way to go then you may be able to use an over/under conversion kit if:

The trailer leaf spring stack is currently mounted under the axles
The trailer uses double-eye springs
And the trailer has 2-3/8 inch or 3 inch diameter round axles

For a 2-3/8 inch round axle use # K71-384-00 and for a 3 inch diameter axle use # K71-385-00. One kit is needed per axle.

If you cannot use an over/under conversion kit then the only other way to raise the height of the trailer is to have the old suspension hangers cut off and new, taller ones welded on by a qualified professional welder. I have included a link to the hanger main page for you.