Sidewinder Pin Box for Towing 5th Wheel with Short Bed Pickup

Question:

I am looking to get a 5th wheel RV possibly 2019 Montana High Country 310RE and I am looking for the best way to tow it. I want to be able to use the bed of my truck when not in use. I was considering an Anderson Ultimate 5th setup on a BandW underbed goose hitch but I and not sure about turning radius. I also saw the covert a ball offset adapter. What would you recommend? I am not a fan of lifting a heavy 5th wheel hitch in and out of my truck. Thank you

asked by: Mike

Expert Reply:

5th wheel hitch adapters like the Anderson Ultimate # AM3200 are certainly a lot lighter than standard 5th wheel hitches but do not give you the same turning clearance as a slider hitch like the 16K Reese # RP30075, the lightest one we offer at 144-lbs.

If you can swap out the pin box on your trailer to a Sidewinder/Revolution pivoting type, which extends the actual pivot point between the truck and trailer, you can use the super light Demco Recon # DM8550043 which easily breaks down into three sections, none of which weighs more than 40-lbs. This version fits standard above-bed rails like Curt # C16411-204.

Demco also offers a gooseneck version of the Recon, part # DM8550045, which similarly breaks down into three manageable sections, and that you could use along with Curt gooseneck hitch # C607-604.

I strongly recommend the Sidewinder route since you do not already have the trailer and could have one of these pin boxes installed before you take delivery. We offer Sidewinders to replace most OEM pin boxes and we even have cushioned models like # RP61422 to reduce the effects of chucking. With a Sidewinder pin box you can set up the truck for a standard fixed hitch like the Recon # DM8550043 which will not be too tough to remove when you need your bed clear. Sidewinders move your truck-trailer pivot point to the rear by a full 22-inches which means never worrying about turning clearance.