How to Correct 5th Wheel Pin Box Hitting Ford F-150 Side Rails

Question:

I have a 2010 Crossroads Cruisier 5th wheel Model 31RE., with a Lippert 1621 pin box. When I make a turn greater than 45-50 degrees, the portion of the pin box attached to the underside of the trailer hits the sidewall of my F150 longbed pickup. I know that the Lippert 0719 is a shorter pin box and, on visual inspection, it appears it would still give enough clearance between the truck bumper and camper as well as the box and sidewall, Im concerned that the shorter pin box will not be as high vertically and make the front of the trailer lower and that this could become a problem. Does changing the pin box seem like a viable option or are there other choices that are not too expensive?

asked by: Jim Z

Expert Reply:

A shorter pin box could work in your application so long as this will not create clearance issues with your bumper or at your cab. The linked article will help you determine this.

You may be able to raise the height of your 5th wheel hitch head to give you more clearance between the rear of your Lippert 1621 pin box and the F-150's side rails. You will, as you noted, want your trailer to remain level when it is hitched. If you still have adjustment room to allow you to raise the hitch's height, AND if this does not create a grossly out-of-level condition for the trailer you may be okay. If you CAN adjust the hitch height but the trailer then becomes nose-high, you might be able to change the mounting position of the pin box on the trailer's wings to compensate.

If this option does not work you can install a Sidewinder replacement pin box such as 20K-rated # RP34FR or the 16K-rated Air-Ride cushioned # RP61422. A Sidewinder moves the pivot back from the hitch by a full 22-inches, and the pin box itself no longer pivots within the truck bed, and this might give you the clearance you need. Measure from the point of bed rail contact back 22-inches to see if this will give you the clearance you need.

expert reply by: Adam R