Can a Sidewinder Equipped Trailer Be Used with a Full Length Bed 2004 Ford F-350 Truck

Question:

I recently purchased a 2007 Keystone Everest with a Fabex sidewinder hitch pin installed. I have a 2004 F350 Super duty and wondered how this hitch will work with my truck since it was made for a short bed. Mine is long bed. Also want to know what kind of hitch I should use. Unfortunately I had already installed a Curt Q5 hitch prior to puchasing rv.

asked by: Andy M

Expert Reply:

Using a Sidewinder with a long bed truck is not a problem. It would have no negative effects, you would just have more turn clearance than needed.

Since you have a Curt Q5 hitch, you cannot use the Sidewinder with the hitch. Curt has a big warning disclaimer about using a Sidewinder with the Q5, not to mention Fifth Gear does not offer a wedge that will fit the Q5.

From here you have two options. The first would be to remove the Sidewinder and install the original pin-box. You might have to the contact the trailer dealer or previous owner to get these parts. This would be the route I would go as I would not want the extra distance between the truck and the trailer anyhow.

The other option is to leave the # RP61412 Sidewinder on and replace the Q5 with another hitch. The Reese 20K M5 Fifth Wheel, part # RP30928, is one of our best selling and it works very well. It would fit into your rails with little or no adjustment. You would need the proper wedge to fit the hitch and the Sidewinder and the part number for a Select Plus Wedge is part # SWW-01. I have included a link to a review video of the Reese 18K Select Plus hitch below.

expert reply by: Patrick B