Using Sidewinder to Make Room for Carrying Motorcycle Between Fifth Wheel and Truck
Question:
My wife I are planning to purchase a 5th wheel trailer and a truck to haul it. My challenge is to figure a way to bring our 500 pound Harley Sportster along for side-tripping. Lots of fun @ 60 MPG, never mind the safety and convenience of having a second set of wheels! Were gonna be full-timing it and have found travel trailers or toy haulers wont cut it for us. They just dont have the space, windows and other amenities. Ive looked at all sorts of racks for the truck and carriers that attach to the back of the 5er. Lots of issues with these! Also looked into pulling a 2nd trailer but many states dont allow them. Rigid dollies on one or two swivel-casters are considered trailersinch in our state. Based on my clearance diagrams it looks a longbed Ford, Chev or Dodge pick up with a flatbed without a headache rack will do it, loading the bike across the front of the bed tight-up behind the cab...if we can move the trailer back for tight turns. Looked at slider-hitches but they only go back 10inch or so...not far enough. Also you have to get out of the cab to work the thing. Today I found your website and I think we may have found the answer. The info on the SW16K was very helpful! It looks like the 22 inch rear off-set the SW16K has gives us enough room for at least 85-88 degree turns both ways with the bike loaded. We can go all the way to 103 deg with the bike off. Well be limited to mid-profile 5ers with a rounded front cap like a Keystone Couger or Laredo but thats ok. The bike would be loaded and unloaded from the sides using a folding alum ramp. I think this will work and were getting ready to buy the 5er, the truck and a SW16K. Thank you for your excellent website....has anyone ever done this before?
asked by: Frank R
Helpful Expert Reply:
I have not heard of anybody carrying a motorcycle in the way you described.
There would be a few things to consider. The fifth wheel hitch needs be placed on the bed so that the king pin is no farther rearward than the centerline of the rear ruck axle. If the hitch is any farther rearward than that, the trailer's pin weight will make the front end of the truck too light, thus affecting the steering response and front braking performance. You will also need to make sure your flat bed has its rear corners angled so they don't collide with the front of the fifth wheel under the trailer loft.
From the dimensions you quoted, it sounds like you might have a specific truck/flatbed combo in mind. One of my co-workers who actually tows a 5th wheel with a flatbed tells me that he doesn't believe long bed flatbed would have enough room at the front of the bed for your bike. He suggested looking into an extended wheelbase flatbed, based on the Ford F450 or GM 4500 chassis. This will be a more expensive option, but you would be assured of more room between the rear of the cab and the rear truck axle.
Keep in mind that the Sidewinder is pin box specific. You can see the various pin box fits we offer by clicking the provided link.
