5th Wheel Trailer Hitch and Installation Kit for a 2012 Toyota Tundra Crew Max with 5-1/2 Foot Bed

Question:

I am looking at purchasing a 2013 Rockwood 8281SS Forest River 5th wheel. It comes with a Reese Revolution from the factory. I am planning on pulling it with a 2012 Toyota Tundra Crew Max 5 1/2 foot bed. Can I activate the Reese Revolution on the trailer and use a standard 5W hitch? If so which one? I was told to use a R16K. Does that one put the pivot point above the axle? And do you sell an adaptor kit to put that on my truck? Thanks for the help. And if you can, doyouhave to drill holes in the frame?

asked by: Joe

Expert Reply:

First, to determine if the 16K hitch is enough you will need to know the gross trailer weight. If it is rated under 16,000 pounds then you can use the Reese 16k, # RP30047. If it is very close to 16k or over, the I recommend going with a higher capacity hitch, # RP30081 rated for 20,000 pounds.

We do have an installation kit that will fit the 2012 Toyota Tundra with 5-1/2 foot bed. You will use # RP30035-309. With this kit the king pin will be 3-1/2 inches forward of the center of the rear axle. I have linked instructions for you to view.

To determine if you will have enough clearance to make 90 degree turns you will need to do some measuring. First, measured from the point 3-1/2 inches forward of the center of the rear axle to the back of the truck cab. Add to that 22 inches for the length of the Revolution. Call all of this measurement A.

Then measure the width of the 5th wheel trailer overhang and divide by 2 to get half. Call this measurement B. Take A and subtract B. If the difference is positive 4 inches or more you can safely make 90 degree turns. If it is less, you will not be able to safely make 90 degree turns.

The Revolution (also called a Sidewinder) moves the pivot point back 22 inches. It is compatible with either hitch listed above.

expert reply by: Michael H