Front Mount Hitch And Fifth-Wheel Hitch Recommendations For 2014 Nissan Titan With 6.6 Ft Bed

Question

Question:

We just bought the 2014 Nissan Titan King Cab SV with the 6.6 ft box. The box has tie down rails with slidable covers. We would like to have full use of these and the box wight he hitch removed. We bought the 2014 Jayco Eagle 27.5 BHS fifth wheel. We have 18ft kayaks we would really like to take with us - using a front hitch mount tbar rack as well as a rack on the cab. Well figure out if this is even safe/possible once we get our fifth wheel hitch installed and our trailer attached. Our thought is that the Kayaks would be able to overhang the truck cab by about a foot at the back? We are thinking that an automatic slider hitch might be the best for this situation. It is difficult to choose because we do not know the specifics - the exact measurements - like how close to the cab the trailer will be. We do know to order mounting parts specific to our truck, but which hitch to buy is still a mystery to us.

asked by: Bill R

0

Expert Reply:

We do offer a front-mount hitch for your 2014 Nissan Titan Crew Cab, if it is a 4-wheel drive. Due to the front crossmember, we do not have a front mount hitch for a 2-wheel drive.

If you have a 4wd, the front mount hitch that will work for you is the Curt Hitch, part # C31061. This hitch has a 2 inch receiver opening.

For the front mount hitch I recommend the Erickson Big Bed Junior Load Extender for Truck Bed or Roof- 350 lbs
Item # EM07605. This will install in a 2 inch receiver opening and has an adjustable height from 55-1/4 to 62 inches, and measures 51 inches wide.

We do not offer a roof rack that is designed specifically for your Titan, but we do have a universal roof rack that may work for you. It is the Darby Turbo-Rack Universal Single-Bar Roof Rack, part # DTA968. This features foam blocks that will protect the paint on your truck, and uses an adjustable strap that is easy to install.

With the kayaks measuring 18 ft, you would more than likely have some issues trying to place it on the cab and a front hitch and not have it interfere with the fifth wheel trailer. It would extend over the back of the cab too far. Also, installing something like a T-bar on the front hitch would certainly be a safety concern with visibility. You might want to check with authorities to see if that is even allowed.

When considering a hitch for your truck and trailer, you will need to take some measurements to make sure you do not damage your cab when executing sharp turns with your fifth wheel. I have attached a helpful article that explains how to measure to make sure you choose the right fifth-wheel option.

With a 6-1/2 ft bed on your truck, the minimum you would need would be a sliding fifth-wheel hitch. For a 20,000 hitch I recommend the Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Round Tube Slider, part # RP30083. This hitch features a 4-way pivoting head that allows for simple hookup, even on uneven terrain. This hitch also provides 11 inches of additional travel front to back.

The installation kit I recommend is the Reese Fifth Wheel Installation Kit, part # RP30035-405. This will give you the above-bed brackets in the bed of your truck for your fifth-wheel hitch.

My best recommendation would be to install a stationary fifth-wheel hitch and change the pin box on your trailer to a Sidewinder. Using a Sidewinder will give you an additional 22 inches clearance form the rear of your cab, which is crucial when executing sharp turns. I have attached helpful articles about Sidewinders you can check out.

I have attached links to some helpful article and some product reviews you may want to take a look at.