Fifth Wheel Hitch For Extra Clearance with 5-1/2 foot bed Truck with Sidewinder

Question:

We installed the Sidewinder on our 99 Chateau, the overhang with is 96. We put the Reese 58058 rails in our truck which give us 25inch to the cab from the centre of the jaws on the hitch. We took it our last weekend and took out our back window backing into the stall. We were not even jackknifed. I have read the installation options for rails on my truck and we could also go with the Reese 30124 rails that would give us at least 27inch from jaws to cab. Will this make a difference and save me the cost and headache of having to repair my truck. What are my other options? Could the rails go further back?

asked by: Tammi

Expert Reply:

25 inches from the center of the fifth wheel jaws to the cab of a truck is a pretty short distance. When you combine that with a fifth wheel trailer that has a 8 foot wide nose even a Sidewinder can still have a hard time preventing cab/trailer interference.

Your best option would be the B and W Patriot Hitch part # BWRVK3200 as the head of this system can be adjusted up to 4 inches back from the cab which would hopefully be enough to allow you to back your trailer up without issue.

Use this formula to determine if you would have enough clearance:

(A + B) - C = Clearance

A = Distance from center of fifth wheel hitch jaw to truck cab

B = Length of Sidewinder arm (22")

C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half)

(29 + 22)= 51 - 48= 3 inches of clearance

You should have 3 inches of clearance with the Patriot.