Is A Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch Required When Towing With A 6' Bed

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Question:

Do you need a slider 5th wheel if you have a 6x10 bed

asked by: Larry T

0

Expert Reply:

Typically with any bed under 8' in length we recommend using either a slider hitch or fixed hitch and rotating pin box to prevent the nose of the trailer from coming into contact with the cab of the truck when making tight turns. There are some trailers that have tapered noses that allow for more turning clearance, but it's always best to play it safe.

You can see how much turning clearance you have by taping a plumb bob to the outermost corner of the trailer's nose and measuring from the plumb bob to the center of the king pin. Once you have this measurement you can then place your tape measure above the center of your truck's rear axle and turn your tape measure until the tape touches the cab. This would show you if you can make a 90 degree turn.

If you haven't picked out your hitch yet then I recommend going with the B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w Slider for Ford Towing Prep Package # BWRVK3370 if your 2023 Ford F-250 has the OEM puck system. If not then I recommend installing the Custom Underbed Installation Kit for B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches # BW83FR and then using the B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider # BWRVK3400-5W.

expert reply by: Kevin C

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Answer 1

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 2

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 3

Choosing the right height setting for your 5th wheel hitch is a combination of a few different variables. First of all you want your towing setup to be as level as possible. With your Montana High Country 340BH level you will want to measure from the…

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Answer 4

Great question, Jeff! When the Rota-Flex first came out it renovated what a pin box could do and be, but at this point in time that technology is a little more dated and the Gen-Y Hitch Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel Pin Box #325-GH-8040 is the "new…

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Answer 5

The Ram OEM 5th wheel puck system, shown in the linked photo and article, was launched in 2013 so what you have in your truck is likely to be an aftermarket installation of some kind. These newer Ram trucks with the factory prep can directly accept a…

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Answer 6

The head alone for the B&W Companion hitch #BWRVK3500 weighs about 70 pounds. Everything else weighs about 130 pounds. So the total weight of the hitch is approximately 200 pounds.

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Answer 7

To get the B&W Patriot #BWRVK3200 to work with your 2006 Dodge Ram you're going to need a set of 5th wheel rails #DM8552016-71. These rails are custom fit to your vehicle so they'll just bolt right up to the frame. It is worth mentioning…

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Answer 8

So for your set up, a 2021 Ram 2500 short bed with the RamBoxes, you will need to use a Sidewinder in order to have the clearance to tow a 5th wheel. The Goose Box doesn't move the pivot point and an offset ball just won't be enough for…

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Answer 9

We have lift kits for trailer that easily add 2 inches to the height of the trailer. For that you'd want the part #RR23QX and you'd be set. I attached a picture that shows how it installs to give you an idea. This would be the easiest…

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Answer 10

Hey David, from previous customers of ours who have the same 2020 Keystone Raptor 424 we have determined that your pin box style is the Lippert 1621 which means for a Gen-Y gooseneck adapter you'd want the #GY58GR that you referenced.

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Answer 11

If you take a look at the linked diagram you can see the minimum recommended clearance distances between truck and trailer for 5th wheel towing. It is recommended to have at least 5-inches from the top of the bed rails to the bottom of the trailer…

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Answer 12

The Custom Underbed Installation Kit for B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches item #BW83FR and item #BW73FR are identical kits that both fit the 2023 Ford F-350 with either the 6-3/4' or 8' bed lengths. It looks like item #BW83FR was…

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Is A Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch Required When Towing With A 6' Bed

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