Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer with a Short Bed 2011 Ford F-150 With or Without Factory Prep Package  

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You can tow a 5th wheel trailer with your 2011 Ford F-250, short bed. A Short bed will require a slider unit or, in some cases, depending on the width of the fifth-wheel trailer you will need a stationary hitch and a Sidewinder.

If your truck has the pre-installed 5th wheel prep package, which includes underbed 5th wheel rails installed at the Ford factory, you will need to use the Reese Elite Series Pre-Assembled 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch, # RP30144. I have included a link to the installation details below.

If a Sidewinder is required and you have the 5th Wheel prep package installed, you will use the Reese M5 Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch, # RP30921. The correct Sidewinder depends on the make and model number of the pin box on the trailer. You will also need to verify with the trailer manufacturer whether or not a Sidewinder can be used. You'll also need Wedge Kit # RP44FR for use with an M5 hitch head / sidewinder combo.

If you do not have the prep package installed, you can use Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch with Round Tube Slider, # RP30075, and Custom Installation Kit, # RP50026-58. I have included a link to the installation details below.

If you do not have the prep package and a Sidewinder is required, use Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch, # RP30047, with custom installation kit # RP50026-58 along with the correct sidewinder for your pin box.

To determine if a Sidewinder will be needed, there are some measurements you can take. Start by measuring from the center of the hitch jaw to the back of the cab. Using the RP50026-58 install kit and no prep package, this distance is 36-1/8 inches on your truck (measurement A).

Next add the distance from the trailer king pin to the front of the trailer, if there is an extended pin box on the trailer, and the travel distance of a slider (10 inches for square tube, 12 inches for round tube, or 22 inches for a Sidewinder) together. This is measurement B. Then, measure the width of your trailer and divide by 2 to get have (measurement C). Then plug in the measurements to the formula below.

A + B = X. Then, X - C to get clearance. For example, 36-1/8 inches plus 12 inches for a round tube slider equals 48-1/8 inches, if you do not have an extended pin box. If your trailer is 96 inches wide, divide by 2 to get 48. Subtract 48 from 48-1/8 inches to get 1/8 of an inch clearance. You need at least 4 inches of clearance to execute 90 degree turns safely. So in this scenario, you would not have enough clearance and a Sidewinder with stationary 5th wheel hitch would be required. If your pin box is extended past the front of the trailer more than 4 inches you would be able to use a round tube slider and if the pin box extension is more than 6 inches you would be able to use a square tube slider.

I have included a link below to an FAQ article on sidewinders that will provide even more information.

expert reply by: Michael H

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