Who tows a 5th wheel with their short bed?
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From: The "real" Northern CA
I think I am confused. Are you looking for a trailer that has the turning ability or have you decided on one and are looking for just the measurements? I tow with a Megacab and just bought a Wildwood Heritage Glen series 5th wheel by Forest River. By far the most aggressive rake on their front cap of any 5th wheel that I have ever seen. I have a Reese manual slider that I haven't had to use yet. I can turn more than 90* and don't come close to the cab with it in the "towing" position. My friend also tows with a megacab and he tows a Rockwood ultralight 5th wheel. He tows with a gooseneck adapter and has no issues with cab to front cap clearance. I guess it all depends on the trailer. Even with specific kingpin to cab measurements, I would think that all becomes a moot point since you need to factor in the corners on the front of the trailer more than anything. There are a lot of trailers designed for shortbed trucks nowadays so the best thing is to find the trailers you like that look like they are going to work and adapt your towing to that. Trying to figure in measurements, distances, trailers and all that is gonna melt your brain for sure. Also try RVforum.net and see what those folks say. They have a lot of good advice and can point you in a good direction for trailer info as well.
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From: Orcutt, Ca.
I tow a fifth wheel with a short bed. I have a Pull-rite sliding hitch. My trailer does not have a forward pin. It was very tight on turns so I had a welder extend my pin about five inches. Now it tows and turns without incident.
Good luck-John
Good luck-John
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From: The "real" Northern CA
Good to know. Thanks. So your pin sits about 5 inches in front of the trailer or just 5 inches farther forward than it did?
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From: Orcutt, Ca.
The original pin was almost straight down, with a slight tilt forward. The welder cut and moved the bottom of the pin forward about five inches. The pin box now is about flush with the front of the trailer.
Regards- John
Regards- John
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When I bought my fifth wheel I went ahead and got the pull-rite hitch. The only way I could hit the truck with the trailer would be to back up and go past 90 degrees. It's nice to know that no matter where I am, I can just make the turn and not look back.
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From: The "real" Northern CA
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From: Saratoga Springs, NY
My combination, except for being a bit heavy for the 3/4, tows just fine. I cannot turn 90 degrees without hitting the cab. Yet for over 15k miles of towing, I have not had a problem. I use my Reese slider if I'm backing into a tight site. Otherwise I run normal just paying attention to the trailer corners when I turn.
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From: spruce grove alberta
i have had the sidwinder for about a year now. it can be tough to couple to if your not paying attention but it has not really been a issue for me. some claim added stress on the trailer, but its shorter than the factory extended pinbox on mine, and all fifth wheels will drop a trailer if not coupled proper.....never the operators fault. lol. not to mention the sidewinder makes the trailer cut quicker when backing up and follows the truck wheels better in a forward direction like a tag axle trailer does.
great product for me
great product for me
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Not sure about adding stress when it's shorter than tje standard pin or adding to dropped trailers, but the sidewinder design doesn't handle as well. It moves the swing point further rearward towards a bumper hitch, which to some extent defeats the purpose of the 5th wheel.
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From: AK
KATOOM- I have a 2011 Dodge SB with the B&W companion and tow a 2011 Heartland Cyclone 3010. Like the other heartland guys have said, it has the 88* front cap on it, and it works great. I have never had a problem turning with it, but I am still very careful while turning.
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I've got a Reese Slider with my short bed and I use the slider mostly when I need to hook or unhook the truck when its at an angle to the trailer. I don't have a cut-out tailgate and in order to drop it to connect the trailer I need to slide the hitch back so the corner of the tailgate won't hit the trailer. The slider also makes it easier to open the front trailer basement hatch; it hits the truck if the slider's not extended.
I rarely find I need the slider when towing the trailer; its all about connecting and disconnecting it and managing the trailer basement hatch.
I don't know how the guys with the pull-rite sliders hook their trailers up when at a significant angle to the truck.
I rarely find I need the slider when towing the trailer; its all about connecting and disconnecting it and managing the trailer basement hatch.
I don't know how the guys with the pull-rite sliders hook their trailers up when at a significant angle to the truck.