Can I Make a 90 Degree Turn with 5th Wheel Trailer Using B&W Companion Slider pm 6-1/2 Foot Bed

Question:

I have a 2002 Chevy .75 ton shorted, 6.5 ft bed, truck. The distance from my cab to my bw gooseneck ball is 34. My trailer is 96inch wide. Will the bw companion slide enough to allow a 90 degree turn?

asked by: Dan D

Expert Reply:

In order to make 90 degree turns and have a little clearance left over to account for uneven ground the distance from the back of the cab to the center of the ball or hitch jaws, including any travel from a slider, needs to be at least 4 inches greater than 1/2 the width of the trailer.

For a 96 inch wide trailer you would need 52 inches. Given the 34 inches you measured and the 12 inches of travel from the slider that gets you to 46 inches, 6 inches short of where you need to be.

But if the king pin of the trailer is out in front of the overhang then you would also add the distance from the center of the king pin to the front of the trailer to that 46 inch measurement so it is still possible.

Also, some trailers now have cutouts at the front corners of the overhang for short bed trucks. If your trailer has that design then it shouldn't be an issue.

expert reply by: Michael H