Solution For Towing 5th Wheel Trailer with 5-1/2 Foot Truck Bed When Reese Sidewinder is Not Enough

Question:

I want to know how I can tow a 5th wheel trailer that is 93 1/2 inches wide behind a 2001 dodge Dakota quad cab that has a 5 1/2 foot bed. I have looked at the side winder but the center on the hitch would only be 25 1/2 inches back from the cab the the sidewinder only moves it back 22 inches. That only 47 1/2 inches back from the cab. I need at least 48 to 49 to have the trailer miss the cab. What do you suggest?

asked by: Gary

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have done some research on cab clearance and already determined that with a Reese Sidewinder like # RP34FR, you still won't have quite the cab clearance necessary when making sharp turns while towing your 93-1/2 inch wide trailer. When using the below formula, you will need to have at least 4 inches of clearance to safely execute a 90 degree turn.

(A + B) - C = Clearance

A = Distance from center of fifth wheel hitch jaw to truck cab (25-1/2 inches)
B = Length of Sidewinder arm (22 inches)
C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (93.5/2 = 46.75 inches)

Since the clearance formula only comes out to 0.75 inches when using the measurements you provided, you likely won't be able to make a 90 degree turn with the trailer attached without risking interference between it and the cab of your Dodge Dakota. The issue here is that a Reese Sidewinder is really the best solution available for stretching this cab clearance distance on short bed trucks like yours. There isn't a product or adapter available that will provide a larger clearance number.

With this in mind, if you are going to tow a fifth-wheel trailer with your truck, you will just need to be extra careful when making sharper turns. You may want to take the trailer out to an empty parking lot just to practice and see how everything handles.

expert reply by: Chris R