Fifth Wheel Hitch Recommendation for 2014 Ford F-150 Short Bed

Question

Question:

We are totally new to trailers and trucks! Considering the purchase of a 2015 24 foot keystone cougar half ton fifth wheel. From the trailer spec: The hitch weight is 1270, trailer dry weight is 6790. Cargo weight 3280. We do not want to go up to the F250 if we dont have to. We are looking at a 2014 F150 Lariat 5.0 V8 355 axle 6.5 foot bed. Will this work for us? Any advice appreciated.

asked by: Michelle

0

Expert Reply:

The 2014 Ford F-150 5.0 V8 will work for you to pull that trailer. Based on my research, the maximum towing capacity for the F-150 varies depending on the cab and bed styles. However, I found that even the cab and bed with the lowest maximum towing capacity for the 5.0L V8 with 3.55 rear axle will still pull up to 12,900 pounds, approximately 2,000 pounds more than your trailer's weight.

Since the truck has a 6.5 foot bed, we strongly recommend using a sliding fifth wheel hitch because short bed trucks have limited turning clearance.

I recommend the Demco Hijacker Autoslide Fifth Wheel Hitch # DM8550034. This fifth wheel hitch will automatically slide to allow you to make tight turns. Other sliding fifth wheel hitches require you to exit the vehicle 4 times in order to make a tight turn. The Demco Hijacker Autoslide also offers the greatest distance of additional clearance, 14 inches. This Hijacker has a gross towing weight of 18,000 pounds and a vertical load limit, or maximum hitch weight capacity, of 4,500 pounds. To install this hitch in your truck bed, I recommend Demco's Hijacker Premier Series Above-Bed Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit # DM8552004-71. This installation kit will provide an easier installation for you than universal kits. Demco has been an prominent figure in the towing industry for many years and they make high quality products.

I also suggest looking into a suspension enhancement system, such as the Timbren Vehicle Suspension # TFRTT1502D. A suspension enhancement system such as this will help reduce rear end sag when pulling your trailer and increase the life of your rear suspension.

expert reply by: Victoria B

0

click to enlarge

Answer 1

Timbrens are great suspension enhancement options for reducing sag when towing, but the part #TFRTT1502D that you referenced is going to be too harsh as it is a designed for severe duty applications. The part #TUR100 is going to be best option. It…

view full answer...

Answer 2

The Timbren suspension enhancement system #TFRTT1502D is designed for service vehicles (fire trucks, ambulances, utility trucks) but not regular trucks. For your 2010 Ford F-150 you would want to go with the 6K system #TFR1502D that you referenced.…

view full answer...

Answer 3

The total height of the Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System #TFRTT1502D that you referenced when installed is 7-1/2 inches. This is the height of the of the kit from where it would attach to your truck frame down to the lowest point. This is…

view full answer...

Answer 4

Thanks for the picture of your truck! Looks very clean! I can tell by the picture that you do not have a 4 inch lift and that you have the standard suspension height. That means that you would need the part #TFRTT1502D which would give you additional…

view full answer...

Answer 5

Adding a Timbren system like the part #TFRTT1502D definitely would help, but it would not be an adequate replacement for your weight distributions system. Your weight distribution system distributes the tongue weight of your trailer to your front…

view full answer...

Answer 6

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…

view full answer...

Answer 7

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

view full answer...

Answer 8

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

view full answer...

Answer 9

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.…

view full answer...

Answer 10

Hey Roy, The only U-bolt kit we currently only offer for 1-1/2" square axles is part #CE23102, which only has a 3-3/8" length so it likely wouldn't be the best option for you. Instead you'll want to order the 1-1/2" Square…

view full answer...

Answer 11

Based on the information I could find the Samsung MR1031UWC is a countertop style microwave that is 20-11/32" wide, 13-11/32" tall and 14-5/8" deep. Currently we only have over the range and built in style microwaves. If your microwave…

view full answer...

Answer 12

Hey Roger, yes you could remove the trim of the High Pointe Built In Microwave part #HP84ZR and it could sit on a counter top like you asked about. The dimensions listed for it are correct for without the trim kit: 19" W x 11.375" H x…

view full answer...