Providing Pin Box Clearance and Turning Clearance for 2014 Ford F-150

Question:

Need to have a longer 5th wheel pin assembly when towing with my 2014 Ford F-150, 6 1/2 foot bed. my tailgate when down comes to within 1/2in. Of the trailer and you have to be straight in front and it is only a matter of time before something happens. I would like to extend the pin out another 8in. Dont know if that is possible. We tow with a Reese # 30047 hitch. Will wait for your reply. Thank You

asked by: Don R

Expert Reply:

I have some solutions to help your towing set-up, but there is no way to extend the pin box out an additional 8 inches to increase the distance between the back of the truck tailgate and the trailer.

It is not ideal to tow with your truck's tailgate down for the very issue you are experiencing. If the reason you are leaving the tailgate down is because the pin box contacts the tailgate, I have a solution for you. To offer more room for the pin box, a great solution is to replace your existing tailgate with a 5th wheel tailgate. The Stromberg Carlson 4000 Series Louvered Tailgate # VG-04-4000 is the tailgate I recommend because it will allow you to still lock the tailgate. This tailgate will provide additional room for the pin box so you can keep the tailgate up while towing. I've attached an installation video of this tailgate for you.

If your fixed hitch doesn't offer the needed turning clearance, to improve turning clearance for your 6-1/2 foot bed you can use a sliding 5th wheel hitch. The Reese 5th Wheel Hitch # RP30047 that you referenced is a 5th wheel hitch with fixed legs that can be exchanged for the Reese Fifth Wheel Slider # RP30048 or # RP50024. We always recommend using a sliding 5th wheel hitch when towing with a truck that has a 6-1/2 foot bed to provide clearance for the truck's cab. Since you already have the Reese 16K 5th wheel, the # RP30048 or # RP50024 sliding base allows you to change the hitch head over from the existing legs to the sliding legs, rather than replacing the entire hitch.

From what you've said about your towing set up, I recommend changing out the 5th wheel hitch base for the slider # RP30048 or # RP50024 and changing out your truck's tailgate for a 5th wheel tailgate, such as # VG-04-4000. With these components, you will have the turning clearance and pin box clearance needed to tow your 5th wheel camper.