5th Wheel Trailer Hitch with Sidewinder Required for 5th Wheel Towing 2010 Dodge Ram 5-1/2 Foot Bed  

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Expert Reply:

With a bed less than 6 feet long, you will need to take some measurements to make sure you will be able to execute 90 degree turns safely. Since your bed is so short, a sidewinder and stationary 5th wheel hitch will be required. The correct sidewinder depends of the make and model of the pin box on the trailer. You should also contact the trailer manufacturer to make sure the trailer frame can withstand the stress of a sidewinder.

First, measure the distance from the center of the hitch jaw to the back of the cab. Without a 5th wheel installed, this could be difficult. But I can tell you that it will be 1-1/2 inches forward of the center line of the rear axle according to the installation instructions linked below for 5th Wheel Installation Kit # RP30035-386. So measure from that point to the back of the cab as accurately as possible. This is measurement A.

Next, add the length of a travel of a sidewinder, 22 inches. This is measurement B. Next, take the width of your trailer and divide by 2 to get half. This is measurement C. Plug all numbers into the formula below.

A + B = X. Then take X and subtract C = clearance. For example, with a sidewinder, if the distance from the center of the hitch to the cab is 36 inches, 36 inches + 22 inches = 58 inches. If your fifth wheel trailer is 102 inches wide, take half (51 inches), then plug in: 58 inches - 51 inches = 7 inches of clearance. You need at least 4 inches of clearance to safely make 90 degree turns.

I have included a link below to an FAQ article on sidewinders that provides even more information. The key at this point is to take the measurements and put them into the formula to determine if towing your 5th wheel trailer will be feasible. The next step is to make sure the pin box is compatible with a sidewinder and that the trailer can accept the stress. Then we can narrow down the proper stationary hitch (sidewinders cannot be used with slider units) and the correct sidewinder.

expert reply by: Michael H

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