How to Tow a Fifth Wheel Trailer with a Truck that Has a 5-1/2 foot Bed
Question:
I have a F150 5 1/2 ft short wheel 4x4 supercrew truck and have recently bought a fifth wheel. The person I bought it from was sure that his hitch would work, but when I inquired about having the hitch put on my truck I was told that I would have to have a specific type of hitch for my truck. Is this true or is there something I can do so that I dont have to go to the expense of buying an new hitch. Will a sliding hitch or sidewinder with the rotating turret work for my truck?
asked by: Scotty S
Expert Reply:
For a truck with a 5-1/2 foot bed the only option for towing a fifth wheel trailer is to use a Sidewinder pin box with a stationary hitch. Slider hitches don't give enough clearance for use with a truck with a bed length as short as yours. If the hitch you have is a slider hitch you can still use it, but you will have to leave it in the slid forward (towing) position all the time.
Sidewinders are pin box specific so you will first need to know what pin box you have know in order to pick out the correct one.
There should be a sticker or a stamping on the OEM pin box of the trailer that will list the pin box number that is on the trailer.
Once you figure out which pin box you have you can check the FAQ I attached that has a chart that shows the correct Sidewinder to get based on which pin box you have.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Square Tube Slider - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 4000 lbs Vertical Load
- 16000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 15 - 18 Inch Tall
- 10 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- Reese
more information >
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