Best 5th Wheel Hitch for Towing a 2012 Heartland Greystone 27RK with a 2018 Ford F-350 6-3/4 Bed
Question:
Thanks for your email and information and response. I did have a look at the fifth wheel hitch however, I am concerned over the “ease” of installing and removing the hitch when not needed as the hitch seems to weigh quite a bit AND with the restrictive guides on the receiving plate may make hitching up the trailer challenging when not backing in straight but at an angle???? What do you think of these concerns? I will have to check the clearance between the back bumper of the truck and the lower part of the trailer along with the clearance between the top of the box and the trailer when turning. Will there be adequate clearance to keep the hitch in AND have a retractable bed cover?
asked by: Lou
Expert Reply:
Thank you for all of the information, it really helped to narrow down what you are needing.
Typically I would say that you would need a 5th wheel hitch with a height of 13 inches so that your trailer can ride level (52.5 - 39.5 = 13), but since that will leave only 2 inches of space between your trailer overhang and the bedrails of your 2018 Ford F-350 Super Duty we will need to look at something else. We recommend having at least 5 - 6 inches of space between your trailer and the bedrails of your truck. That coupled with the need for a sliding hitch to accommodate your short bed leaves us looking at a sliding 5th wheel hitch that has a height range that includes 16 - 17 inches.
Please note that not having your 5th wheel sit level may cause more sway and not as smooth of a ride than if you were towing it level. Due to siderail clearance the added 3 inches of height is the better route to go.
I recommend going with the 18K Demco Hijacker Autoslide # DM8550024. This comes with mounting points that fit directly in the pucks from the prep package, an autosliding feature so that you don't have to get in and out of your F-350 when taking tight turns, and a height adjustment settings of 15-1/2 inches, 16-3/4 inches, and 18-1/4 inches.
The Demco autoslider will give you 14 inches of front to back travel which will be perfect for your towing needs. When you plug that into our clearance formula you can make sure that you will have the needed clearance as long as your clearance is at least 4 inches.
(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from center of fifth wheel hitch jaw to truck cab (you said 37 inches)
B = Length of offset (slider clearance or Sidewinder offset) (14 inches of the Demco)
C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half)
This means your formula will look like this (37 + 14) - C = Clearance.
To increase the height of your 5th wheel so that it rides more level you can use an over-under conversion kit. We have part # K71-384-00 for a 2-3/8" axle and part # K71-385-00 for a 3" axle. The only other way to increase the height on your trailer would be to change out your current hangers for longer ones. I have attached a link to our selection of hangers for you to filter should you choose to go that route.
I have also attached a review video for you to reference.
Products Referenced in This Question
Pace Edwards Bedlocker Retractable Hard Tonneau Cover - Electric - Aluminum - Black
- Tonneau Cover
- Retractable - Powered
- Not Rack Compatible
- Opens at Tailgate
- Flush Profile - Inside Bed Rails
- Aluminum
- Vinyl Grain
- Pace Edwards
more information >
Pace Edwards UltraGroove Metal Retractable Hard Tonneau Cover - Aluminum - Matte Black
- Tonneau Cover
- Retractable - Manual
- Rack Compatible
- Opens at Tailgate
- Low Profile - Inside Bed Rails
- Aluminum
- Matte
- Pace Edwards
more information >
Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit
- Trailer Suspension Parts
- Alignment and Lift Kits
- Boat Trailer
- Camper
- Car Hauler
- Snowmobile Trailer
- Utility Trailer
- Double Eye Springs
- Round Axle - 2-3/8 Inch
- Single Axle
- Dexter
more information >
Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit
- Trailer Suspension Parts
- Alignment and Lift Kits
- Boat Trailer
- Camper
- Car Hauler
- Snowmobile Trailer
- Utility Trailer
- Double Eye Springs
- Round Axle - 3 Inch
- Dexter
more information >
Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Square Tube Slider - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 4000 lbs Vertical Load
- 16000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 15 - 18 Inch Tall
- 10 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- Reese
more information >
Reese Elite Series Underbed Rail Adapter for Standard 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - 20,000 lbs
- Accessories and Parts
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Adapters
- Rail Adapter
- Reese
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Ford Super Duty Prep Package - 18K
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- OEM - Ford
- 4500 lbs Vertical Load
- 18000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Premium - Single-Hook Jaw
- 15-1/2 - 18-1/4 Inch Tall
- 14 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- Demco
more information >
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Lou
2/9/2018
Thanks for your email and information and response. I did have a look at the fifth wheel hitch however, I am concerned over the “ease” of installing and removing the hitch when not needed as the hitch seems to weigh quite a bit AND with the restrictive guides on the receiving plate may make hitching up the trailer challenging when not backing in straight but at an angle???? What do you think of these concerns? I will have to check the clearance between the back bumper of the truck and the lower part of the trailer along with the clearance between the top of the box and the trailer when turning. Will there be adequate clearance to keep the hitch in AND have a retractable bed cover?