Do Fifth Wheel Hitches Have to Set Below Truck Bed Rails for Overhang Clearance
Question:
Im buying a fifth wheel and sidewinder for my 2004 ford f150 supercrew w 5.5 ft bed and noticed that the walls of my bed are 22 inches high. Which fifth wheel hitch should I be looking at? Most of the ones Ive seen max out at 17 inches
asked by: Mark S
Expert Reply:
You will want to have a total of 6 inches of clearance between the bed rails of your truck and the overhang of your trailer when it is sitting level and connected to your 2004 Ford F-150.
The overall height of most fifth wheel hitches puts them below the height of the bed rails of the truck. Since there will be a distance between the overhang of the trailer and the surface of the pin box this is typically not an issue. I attached a picture that shows a crude drawing of a fifth wheel trailer. It is not to scale, but you can see that the pin box hangs enough below the overhang to allow bed rail clearance with a fifth wheel hitch that sits below top of bed rails.
Unless your truck or trailer has an unusual height the fifth wheel hitch part # RP30047 I recommended for you previously should work well for you.
Basically you will need to measure from the bottom of the pin box (not king pin), of your trailer down to the ground when it is sitting level. Next you will need to measure from the floor of your truck bed to the ground. Subtract this number from the pin box height and that is how high of a hitch you would need.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- Aftermarket Below Bed Rails
- 4000 lbs Vertical Load
- 16000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 13-1/2 - 17 Inch Tall
- Reese
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Tonneau Cover
- Shop: Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Search Results: q25
- Shop: Gooseneck Hitch
- Q&A: 5th Wheel Hitch With Maximum Height for Most Trailer-to-Truck Bed Rail Clearance
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Shop: Tool Box
- Shop: Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter
- Shop: Sidewinder Wedge for Curt A Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Shop: BAK Revolver X4s Hard Tonneau Cover - Roll Up - Aluminum and Vinyl - Matte Black
- Shop: Curt A25 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Ram Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 25,000 lbs
- Shop: Curt Hitch Receiver Reducer Sleeve - 2-1/2" to 2"
- Shop: Convert-A-Ball Ball Mount for 2-1/2" Hitches - 4-3/4" Rise, 6" Drop - 18,000 lbs
- Shop: Brophy Hitch Reducer and Extender - 2-1/2" to 2" Trailer Hitch - 7" Long
- Search Results: 5th wheel cover
- Q&A: Cover for Curt Q25 Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Q&A: B&W 5TH Wheel Hitch Cover Recommendation
- Article: Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch Information and Installation Tips
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Video: Choosing the Best Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Article: 4 Steps to Choosing Your 5th Wheel Pin Box
- Q&A: Does Truck with 6-1/2 ft bed Have to Use Slider Hitch for Turning Clearance with Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Search Results: gen~y hitch
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Video: Manufacturer Review - Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch
- Search Results: 5th wheel hitch
- Q&A: How to Determine Correct Height Setting for 5th Wheel Hitch
- Article: Ram Trailer Tow Prep Package
- Search Results: tonneau covers
- Q&A: What Is An OEM Prep Package And How Do I Know If I Have It