Fifth Wheel Towing Setup Recommend for a Shortbed 2012 Chevy Silverado Towing 2002 Keystone Cougar

Question:

I just got a 2002 keystone cougar 286-efs camper. My truck is a 2012 2500 hd crew cab short box chevy diesel. Was wondering if the bandw gooseneck model 1012with the bandw companion slider rvk-3400 will give me enough clearance. The trailer is 97 inches wide, so if i have figured right i would need a minimum of 52.5 inches from center of hitch to back of cab. I dont have the exact measurement for the truck bed in front of me but I believe I end up about 47.5 inches with the 12 inches for the slider added in. I measured the front of the camper to the center of the pin and best as I can figure pin is 1.5-2 inches shorter than the nose cone. Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank You,

asked by: Greg H

Expert Reply:

Here is the formula used to determine if you would have enough clearance to make a 90 degree turn with a gooseneck/fifth wheel setup.

(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from the gooseneck ball to the truck cab
B = Offset used
C = Width of the nose of the trailer divided by 2.

So using your numbers, A would be 47.5 inches, B isn't needed since A already has the 12 inches included, and C would be 48.5.

47.5 - 48.5 = -1 inches

Long story short, you wouldn't have enough clearance with this setup, but I do have a solution for you.

Going with a stationary hitch in your truck bed, and a Sidewiner pin box to replace what you currently have on your 2002 Keystone Cougar would be an option that would definitely have enough clearance.

Let's start with fifth wheel rails, for that you would want the custom install kit part # RP50066-58. This kit will install in about half the time as a universal kit and will minimize drilling. Install video attached.

For a hitch I would recommend the Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # RP30047. Review video attached.

You will need to remove the pin box of the trailer and replace it with a Sidewinder pin box. Sidewinders are pin box specific so you will first need to know what pin box you have know in order to pick out the correct one.

There should be a sticker or a stamping on the OEM pin box of the trailer that will list the pin box number that is on the trailer.

Once you figure out which pin box you have you can check the FAQ I attached that has a chart that shows the correct Sidewinder to get based on which pin box you have.