Recommended 5th Wheel Hitch And Wiring For 2015 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 6-3/4 Foot Bed

Question:

I have a 2015 f250 crew cab SWB 4x4 with a 6.7L Diesel engine. I currently have a travel trailer and I am looking at up grading to a small 5th wheel. Looking at something 28 to 32 ft in length. Dry weight of the ones I have been looking at are 8800-10,000lbs. The bed length is only 6 ft 8 inches. Would like help in figuring out much I the trailer can safely weigh and if I would need the sliding adaptor for the hitch. New to the camping world and need help making sure I know my facts before purchasing a new 5th wheel.

asked by: Newcamper

Helpful Expert Reply:

Your 2015 Ford F-250 Crew Cab SRW 4x4 with 6.7L Diesel is rated by Ford to pull 15,900 lbs. I don't recommend pulling at full capacity all the time, but you will have many options for 5th wheel trailers within your towable range.

With your short bed, you will need to get a sliding hitch to account for the lack of clearance space when turning. You don't want your new trailer to hit your truck cab, so a sliding hitch is the recommended route for all short bed trucks. There are many different models to choose from depending on the weight you wish to haul.

With what you are looking at as far as length and weight, I recommend using a slider hitch like the Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Slider - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs # C16521. This is a very nice hitch and the round tube sliders bind less than the more rectangular tube rollers. This is a very nice hitch that will meet your needs and you will just need to adjust from the towing lock position for driving, to the turning lock position for manuevering at the campground, the driveway, or around gas pumps. Make sure to always put it back in the forward locking position for traveling down the road to keep the weight of the trailer in front of your axle and not behind it.

One hitch that doesn't require you to get in and out of your cab to operate is the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 18,000 lbs, # DM8550034. This is a premium hitch design that will automatically do the adjusting for you so you can simply drive. It can be used with many standard size base rail kits so even if you choose this hitch I recommend the Reese rails and brackets.

Either hitch will connect to the Reese Quick-Install Custom Base Rails and Outboard Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches, # RP56016-53, which are a custom fit for your truck. These will mount without drilling into your frame and will be easier than other models to install with their outboard design.

For easier wiring connections for your 5th wheel, I recommend the 2015 Ford F-250 Super Duty Hopkins Endurance 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness with 7-Pole Plug, # 41157. This will put a 7 way connector in the bed of your truck for easier accessiblity.