Placement of a 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Installation Kit on a 1994 Ford F-150 4x4 Short Bed

Question:

whats the measurements for installing a 16k kwik slide reese #380,719 ,date of mfg 08-15-06 in a 1994 f150 4x4 short wheel base p/u truck

asked by: David

Expert Reply:

If you use the Reese Universal Installation Kit, # RP30035, the center of the hitch jaws will be 4 inches forward of the rear axle. See page 11 of the instructions I have linked. If you measure from a point for inches forward of the center of the rear axle to the back of the cab, you can determine the amount of clearance you will have.

If your slider is a square tube, at 10 inches to the first measurement. For a round tube slider at 12 inches. Next measure the width of the 5th wheel trailer overhang and divide by 2 to get half. If this measurement is 4 inches or less than the first measurement (plus the 10 or 12 inches), you will be able to safely make 90 degree turns with a slider.

If the second measurement is less than 4 inches or greater than the first measurement, you will need to add a Sidewinder to the trailer. To determine if a Sidewinder is available for your trailer you will need the pin box manufacturer and model number. I have incldued some links to FAQ articles for you that might help.

expert reply by: Michael H