Is a Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch Needed to Tow with a 2007 Ford F-350 Diesel with Short Bed

Question

Question:

I have a 2004 Forest River Cedar Creek silver series 28 foot with a GVWR of 11,430 lbs. I am towing with a 2007 F350 Diesel 6.0 Short bed. 2 questions. #1 Do i need a slider hitch to tow this trailer? #2 If i do need a slider which models are compatible? is there a universal capture plate, or is it specific to each king pin? My Measurements on the King pin are A - 12- 3/4 B - 3- 1/2 C - 9 Thanks!

asked by: Will F

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Expert Reply:

Although some people can make it work, for any pickup with a bed less than 8' we always recommend going with a sliding 5th wheel hitch. This allows you to safely make sharp turns without your 2004 Forest River Cedar Creek making contact with the cab of your 2007 Ford F-350.

You actually don't need a capture plate unless your pin box has a rotating turret, like a Sidewinder, or you have an automatic sliding 5th wheel hitch. If you have a normal pin box then no special capture plate is required.

If you would like to go with a manual 5th wheel slider then I highly recommend using the B&W Companion # BWRVK3400-5W. This installs in the B&W Gooseneck Hitch # BWGNRK1108-5W so that you have a clean bed when you aren't towing, plus it gives you the option to tow a gooseneck trailer if the need arises.

For an automatic sliding 5th wheel hitch (which keeps you from having to leave your cab for tight turns) we have the Demco Hijacker. You can use part # DM8550034 with the base rail kit # DM8552002-71 for a standard mounting option or you can go with part # DM8550022 and the base rail kit # DM8551000 if you like the idea of having a clean bed when you aren't towing.

You don't need a capture plate for the Hijacker if you have a standard pin box that is 12" - 14" wide but you will need a capture plate if you have a Glide Ride, Mor Ryde, Trailair Tri Glide, Trailair Flexair, Rota Flex, and 5th Airborne pin box. Let me know if this is the case and I can let you know which capture plate you need.

I have attached some installation and review videos for you to reference as well.

expert reply by: Jon G

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Answer 1

The locking plate of the Demco Hijacker part #DM8550037 is something that installs onto the king pin of the trailer you will be towing to prevent the king pin from turning in the hitch head. The plate allows the head of the hitch to turn with the…

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Answer 2

We have an under bed Demco Hijacker fifth wheel hitch setup that is confirmed as a fit for your 2016 Ford F-250 6-3/4 foot bed. For that you would want to start with the underbed rail kit, part #DM8551000. Then for the automatic sliding hitch…

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Answer 3

The Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Underbed - 18,000lbs #DM8550022 does not attach via gooseneck hitch and instead attaches using base rails like #DM8551000 or #DM8552002-71. For you to be able to use this…

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Answer 4

Here are the instructions for the Zero Point Calibration for the Lippert Ground Control 3.0 #LC358590 or #LC675817: 1. In manual mode, run the jacks to level the trailer. This is best achieved by placing a level in the center of the trailer and…

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Answer 5

It sounds like you need to re-calibrate the zero point on your Lippert Ground Control 3.0 #LC304136 system. Below I've listed out the steps you'll need to follow and will allow you to use the auto leveling again. Zero Point…

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Answer 6

The 2012 Ford Super Duty trucks with the Ford factory tow prep package use the Reese Elite Series rails. These rails can only be used with the Reese Elite Series hitches and not the B&W Companion Slider Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch…

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Answer 7

The Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 21,000 lbs #DM8550035 is not compatible with the B&W turnoverball gooseneck hitch #BWGNRK1314. The handle for the gooseneck ball will not work with the…

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Answer 8

I have two options for you but there is no way to use an auto-sliding 5th wheel hitch with the B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch installed because there is no room for anything else to mount and you can't use an…

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Answer 9

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two…

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Answer 10

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion…

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Answer 11

Choosing the right height setting for your 5th wheel hitch is a combination of a few different variables. First of all you want your towing setup to be as level as possible. With your Montana High Country 340BH level you will want to measure from…

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Answer 12

Great question, Jeff! When the Rota-Flex first came out it renovated what a pin box could do and be, but at this point in time that technology is a little more dated and the Gen-Y Hitch Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel Pin Box #325-GH-8040 is the…

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Is a Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch Needed to Tow with a 2007 Ford F-350 Diesel with Short Bed

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