Fifth Wheel Rail Kit and Hitch Recommendation for a 2002 Ford F250 Short Bed

Question:

I have an F250 with 6 3/4foot bed and a gooseneck ball that is 3foot from the back of the cab. I have a 1996 29foot Dreamerno longer manufactured with an Atwood Mobile Products model AB72 fifth wheel pin box. I need to gain about 12inch horizontal offset to prevent hitting the back of the cab on tight turns. Is there a fifth wheel/gooseneck adaptor that can either provide a fixed 12, or a sliding arrangement that can be used when maneuvering the fifth wheel, and what affect would a fixed offset have on the way the factory pin box is fastened to the frame, as far as torque of bending moment at the connection? The unit weighs about 10k lbs dry. Dont know the tongue weight, but im guessing it is well over 1000lbs. Any insight you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

asked by: Bob C

Expert Reply:

It's not an easy or necessarily inexpensive option, but I do have a solution that should work for you.

You are going to have to remove your gooseneck hitch from the bed of your 2002 Ford F250 and install a fifth wheel hitch with a slider so that you can make tight turns with your 1996 Dreamerno trailer.

I wish there was a Sidewinder option, but since the pin box on your trailer is a tube style there are no Sidewinder options.

For a fifth wheel rail kit I would recommend a custom install kit like the part # RP50082-58 since they install in about half the time as a universal kit and minimize drilling.

For a slider hitch that won't break the bank I would recommend the Reese Slider Hitch part # RP30051 or for a more upgraded feel the # RP30075. Check out the review video I attached as well.