Increasing Turning Clearance when Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer with a Short Bed Truck
Question:
I have a18000lb lippert air hitch on my 40ft cedar creek. 26000lb husky 5th wheel hitch in my 2500HD pickup with a regular 6.6 bed. What do I need to increase my turning radias ? I kinked my bed side once dont want to do it again. My clearance between bed and trailer is 6 inches.
asked by: Greg
Expert Reply:
To increase the turning clearance when towing your 5th wheel trailer you can use a hitch that offers more travel, such as the Demco HiJacker # DM8550035. This hitch has 14 inches of travel which is 4 more than the Husky 26K slider, # HT31318-32042. Also, the Demco hitch slides automatically so you won't have to get out of the truck.
If that 4 inches isn't enough then you could potentially replace the pin box on the trailer with a Sidewinder. The Sidewinder will move the pivot point of the trailer back 22 inches which will be more than enough clearance. The only problem is that Sidewinders are not compatible with the Husky 26K hitch so you would need to replace the hitch anyway.
You won't have to have the most expensive hitch. You could use the fixed Reese M5 # RP30928. A fixed hitch should be used with a Sidewinder. A slider could be used as long as it is always locked in the tow position.
If your Lippert pin box is a 0719, 1621, or 1621HD you can use Sidewinder # RP34FR. If you go this route and also choose the Reese M5 hitch then you'll also need custom wedge # RP44FR.
Products Referenced in This Question
Sidewinder Wedge for Curt A Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Accessories and Parts
- Fifth Wheel King Pin
- Wedges
- Curt 5th Wheel
- CURT
more information >
Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Premium - Single-Hook Jaw
- 14 - 18 Inch Tall
- Reese
more information >
Reese Sidewinder 5th Wheel King Pin with Rotating Turret - 20,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel King Pin
- Upgraded Pin Box
- Provides Turning Clearance
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Rotating Turret
- Fabex 663
- Fabex 665
- Lippert 0719
- Lippert 1621
- Lippert 1621HD
- M and M 663
- M and M 665
- Lippert Rhino
- Reese
more information >
Sidewinder Wedge Kit for 20,000-lb Reese ELITE, M-Series, or ProSeries Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Accessories and Parts
- Fifth Wheel King Pin
- Wedges
- Pro Series 5th Wheel
- Reese 5th Wheel
- Reese
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 21,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Aftermarket Below Bed Rails
- 5250 lbs Vertical Load
- 21000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Premium - Single-Hook Jaw
- 15-1/4 - 18 Inch Tall
- 14 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- Demco
more information >
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