Is a Sliding 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Required to Tow with a 2007 Ford F-150 with a 6-1/2 Foot Bed

Question:

Hello I have a 2007 Ford F1 50 crew cab four-wheel-drive 20 inch wheels 150 inch wheelbase 6 1/2 foot bed. Im just about ready to sign the papers on a 2017 cougar xlite model 25 RES. The 5th wheel dry weight is 7035, gross weight is 10,000 my truck is 5500lbs and cargo capacity is 1688lbs With the 20inch wheels the GCWR is 13,500 my question is do I need a slider hitch if so what would work best, The dealership sells the Husky brand. And by the way does all of the weight here match up and look good as far as towing the fifth wheel. Ill never have maximum weight capacity in the trailer I figured around 8 to 900 pounds max of cargo Thanks

asked by: Joe

Expert Reply:

Since your 2007 Ford F-150 has a 6-1/2 foot bed you will need a sliding fifth wheel hitch unless the trailer has a Revolution or Sidewinder pin box. Without either you likely won't have enough clearance to execute sharp turns without the truck and trailer making contact.

I recommend the Demco Hijacker Autoslide # DM8550022. The Hijacker is an auto sliding hitch so there's no need to get out of your truck when you're executing turns. Most sliding hitches require you to get out of the truck and manual activate the slide feature, execute the turn, then get back out and slide the hitch back into its tow position. The Hijacker does all of this for you. To install the Demco in your truck we have the underbed rail kit # DM8551001.

If you'd also like to install a trailer connector in the truck bed use # C56000.

You won't be able to tow the trailer at its full capacity. Your truck has a GCWR of 13,500 pounds and it weighs 5,500 pounds. That only leaves you with 8,000 pounds and that doesn't take into account how much weight you load into the truck. With that being said as long as the loaded truck and trailer stays under the truck's GCWR you'll be fine.

expert reply by: Charles S