Best Setup for Towing a Gooseneck Trailer Or Fifth Wheel Trailer with a 2011 Ford F-350 Short Bed

Question:

I have a 2011 Ford 350 diesel, 6-3/4 ft bed ,I am thinking of getting the Curt Goose-neck hide a hitch C60720. I want to get the 5th wheel king pin adapter. Ranch hitch goose neck adapter W / 8inch offset code AM3139. You recommended that I switch to the Companion Slider Hitch part # BWRVK3400. to tow my fifth wheel trailer, The reasons I would want to use the Ranch king adapter is once installed it can stay with the trailer.The other reason I dont have to try and move a 200 LB fifth wheel slide hitch on and off my truck, in order to use my truck bed. The differences in length of Companion slide hitch and the King Ranch adapter is 4 inches ? How do I figure the calculations to see how much of an angle I can turn with out hitting the cab of my truck using the King Ranch AM3139 Thanks foer your help on this.

asked by: Frank O

Expert Reply:

I have an ideal solution for you, but it involves none of the parts you mentioned.

You are going to want the B&W Gooseneck Hitch part # BWGNRK1111 to provide you with a gooseneck hitch in the bed of your 2011 Ford F-350 short bed to start.

Now all you need to tow a fifth wheel trailer would be the Companion Slider Hitch part # BWRVK3400. This fits the Turnover ball to provide you with a fifth wheel hitch and is especially useful since it's a slider hitch and you have a short bed truck. None of the adapters you mentioned would give you the needed turning clearance like this would so it's realistically the only option I would recommend.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Frank O.

6/29/2016

Jameson C.

6/29/2016

There is a calculation you can do to see if your current setup would have enough clearance and if not how much offset you would need. (A + B) - C = Clearance A = Distance from the gooseneck ball to the truck cab B = Offset used, C = Width of the nose of the trailer divided by 2. 4 inches minimum between the cab and the trailer is recommended.