Best 5th Wheel Clearance For 2016 Ford F150 With 5.5 Bed, Also Weight
Question:
I have the 2016 Ford F150 Supercrew with 5.5foot bed. I believe that the cab to axle distance is 28inch ish. I am looking for the lightest fifth wheel hitch since I will be taking it in/out. Does the Andersen work possibly with the Sidewinder also, and if not, what is the lightest fifth wheel hitch?
asked by: Dan B
Expert Reply:
My first choice for a 5th wheel hitch system, in a 5.5 foot pickup bed, where weight is a concern, would be the B&W # BWRVK3200 Fixed 5th Wheel hitch and # BW39FR Base rails, paired with a Reese # RP61422 5th Airborne Air Ride with Sidewinder. This assumes you have a number 1621 pin box bolt pattern. (If the four digit bolt pattern number is different let me know and I can pick one that will match with your pin box side wings.) The hitch base weighs 95 pounds and the top coupler section weights 52 pounds. If you use the B&W with a Sidewinder you will need a king pin wedge to prevent rotation at the king pin. The B&W # SWW-06 custom wedge will work well.
You asked about the Anderson 5th wheel hitches. They will not work with a rotating pin box like the sidewinder, nor will they work with a 5-1/2 foot truck bed. I also considered “slider” hitches (hitches that you manually slide toward the truck gate when wanting to back in at an angle) but they are also not recommended, as the bed it too short to slide it backwards enough.
The 5th wheel hitch that will give the most clearance (22-1/2”) is the Demco # DM8550040 13,000 pound model. (The higher weight rated Demco units have less clearance.) You will additionally need a Demco # DM8552006-71 base rails kit. This will pair with your existing pin box. However the base weighs 260 pounds and the head weights 65 pounds.
I feel that you should also carefully consider your truck's Payload Capacity and GCWR when making a decision about your trailer and hitch equipment.
Products Referenced in This Question
B&W Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Custom
- Above the Bed
- B and W
more information >
B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 4000 lbs Vertical Load
- 16000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 16 - 19 Inch Tall
- B and W
more information >
Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 13,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 3250 lbs Vertical Load
- 13000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Premium - Single-Hook Jaw
- 15-1/4 - 18 Inch Tall
- 22-1/2 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- Demco
more information >
Demco Premier Series Custom Mounting Brackets for 5th Wheel Above-Bed Base Rails
- Accessories and Parts
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Brackets
- Custom
- Demco
more information >
Demco Premier Series Above-Bed Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Hitches
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Custom
- Above the Bed
- Demco
more information >
5th Airborne Custom Wedge for B&W Fifth Wheels
- Accessories and Parts
- Fifth Wheel King Pin
- Wedges
- B and W 5th Wheel
- Reese
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Andersen Ultimate Connection 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch System with Adapter - 20,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 4500 lbs Vertical Load
- 20000 lbs GTW
- No Pivot
- 15-3/4 - 18 Inch Tall
- Andersen
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: B&W Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Shop: Towing Mirrors
- Shop: Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit - Carbide Black Finish
- Shop: Curt Custom 5th Wheel Installation Kit for Ford - Gloss Finish
- Shop: Curt 10" Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch Lube Plate
- Shop: Curt Custom 5th Wheel Installation Kit for Ford - Carbide Finish
- Shop: Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit for Ford - Gloss Finish
- Shop: Curt Safety-Chain Loops for Gooseneck Hitches on 5th Wheel Rails - 20,000 lbs
- Article: 5th Wheel Hitch Installation | The Ultimate DIY Guide
- Search Results: towing mirrors
- Search Results: air bag suspension
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Search Results: 5th wheel lube plate
- Search Results: 5th wheel mount
- Video: Curt 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Custom Wiring Harness Installation - 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Video: Air Lift Vehicle Suspension - Rear Axle Suspension Enhancement - AL57268 Review
- Video: CIPA Slip On Custom Towing Mirrors Review - 2018 Ford F-150
- Video: Curt 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Custom Wiring Harness Installation - 2022 GMC Sierra 2500
- Video: K-Source Snap and Zap Custom Towing Mirrors Installation - 2018 Ford F-150
- Video: Longview Slip On Towing Mirrors Installation - 2018 Ford F-150
- Video: K-Source Snap and Zap Driver and Passenger Towing Mirror Review
- Search Results: cargo door locks
- Search Results: tire pressure monitor system
- Search Results: table
- Q&A: Recommended Tire Pressure for ST Trailer Tires and Load Rating Capacity
- Shop: Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Article: 4 Steps to Choosing Your 5th Wheel Pin Box
- Q&A: What Would Cause Trailer to Sway Around 60 MPH that Has Weight Distribution