Is Sidewinder Required to Pull 5th Wheel with 2015 Ford F-150 Shortbed

Question

Question:

I am trying to pull a KZ Durango 1500 Fifth wheel with my 2015 F150. Would you suggest the Sidewinder King Pin available as an option on the Durango or a Pullrite sliding fifth wheel in the truck? If I use the Reese will the system allow me to close the gate on the truck bed? Thank you

asked by: David M

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Expert Reply:

Since your Ford F-150 has a 5-1/2 foot bed you will need a Sidewinder King Pin to make sharp turns. A Sidewinder will move the pivot point back and provide 22 inches of additional clearance, which makes it possible to pull 5th wheels with short-bed trucks. It will also provide more turning clearance than a sliding fifth wheel hitch.

I have included a link to our page for Sidewinder pin boxes where you can find a suitable replacement for the standard pin box on your trailer if it is so equipped. Sidewinder pin boxes are matched based on the original pin box part number. I have also included a helpful article concerning Sidewinders.

With this setup you will be able to close the gate on your pickup bed.

expert reply by: Chris O

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Answer 1

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 2

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 3

Choosing the right height setting for your 5th wheel hitch is a combination of a few different variables. First of all you want your towing setup to be as level as possible. With your Montana High Country 340BH level you will want to measure from the…

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Answer 4

Great question, Jeff! When the Rota-Flex first came out it renovated what a pin box could do and be, but at this point in time that technology is a little more dated and the Gen-Y Hitch Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel Pin Box #325-GH-8040 is the "new…

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Answer 5

Beds shorter than 8 foot do commonly need a slider hitch David, but a lot of modern fifth wheel trailers are now made with tapered noses to help and in a lot of cases a slider isn't required. So if the trailer you plan to tow has a tapered nose…

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Answer 6

Most fifth wheel rails are made to the same industry standard dimensions. They aren't all though. If you measure 22 inches on center between the two rails and they look like the rails of the #RP30035 that you referenced they would be the industry…

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Answer 7

To get the B&W Patriot #BWRVK3200 to work with your 2006 Dodge Ram you're going to need a set of 5th wheel rails #DM8552016-71. These rails are custom fit to your vehicle so they'll just bolt right up to the frame. It is worth mentioning…

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Answer 8

The Ram OEM 5th wheel puck system, shown in the linked photo and article, was launched in 2013 so what you have in your truck is likely to be an aftermarket installation of some kind. These newer Ram trucks with the factory prep can directly accept a…

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Answer 9

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 10

Yes, you are going to also need the Demco Autoslide Capture Plates for Trailair Rota-Flex Pin Boxes #DM6171 when using the Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider #DM8550040 with your Road Armor pin box. For a suspension enhancement I…

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Answer 11

As far as height adjustability and weight capacities the Curt Q20 #C16130 and the Curt A20 #C16140 are identical. They both have a Gross Towing Weight of 20,000 lbs, a Vertical Load Limit of 5,000 lbs, and a height range of 13-17 inches. When it…

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Answer 12

You do not have to use a sliding 5th wheel hitch in a short bed truck. In many cases, truck beds shorter than 8 ft do not have enough clearance between the trailer and truck to execute sharp turns. This is why sliding hitches were invented. Due to…

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Is Sidewinder Required to Pull 5th Wheel with 2015 Ford F-150 Shortbed

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