5th Wheel Towing and a Short Bed

[ACerf]

Jeff,



Take a look at www.fifthairborne.com

I think that you will be impressed on how much better this works than the Super-Slider. Plus it gives the trailer a better ride, reducing stress on the frame. Just so you know, I do not work for 5th Airborne, I just happen to be an RV reseach buff and found this product to be a great improvement over other similar products. Hope this helps.

 

[PKnoerzer]

That "fifthairborne" looks neat.



One thing to consider - I don't think a slider is used as much with a shorter trailer. I can make a tight u-turn without my trailer (25') coming close to the cab. It's only when backing that it gets close.



Also - with the smaller 5th wheels that are claimed to be towable with a 1/2 ton - they are lower. I had to raise the suspension on mine to get it to ride level with out hitting the bed sides.

 

[ACerf]

Even if the short bed trucks don't need the slider. I think the Fifth Airborne or other types of suspenion pin box is a good investment. Trail-Air, Mor-Ryde, and others make great suspenion pin boxes. It not only makes the trailer ride better, it protects the trailers frame from stressing. A common problem with many manufactures is cracking of 5th wheel frame in the corner. I have seen this in many of the Montana trailers. It is either a suspenion pin box or a suspenion hitch. In my case the pin box was a better, and less expensive choice. I can say that I have less jerking and trailer rides much better. My next thing to do is to install the "Trail-Air Equa Flex", this replaces the suspenion equalizers.

 

[tmh1955]

I have been towing a 25' fifth wheel with a short bed quad cab for several years. I use a Reese 16k hitch that has the ability to slide back and forth to avoid touching the rear window. Haven't needed to use it yet. Have had no problems.



Tim

 

[PKnoerzer]

Even if the short bed trucks don't need the slider. I think the Fifth Airborne or other types of suspenion pin box is a good investment. Trail-Air, Mor-Ryde, and others make great suspenion pin boxes. It not only makes the trailer ride better, it protects the trailers frame from stressing. A common problem with many manufactures is cracking of 5th wheel frame in the corner. I have seen this in many of the Montana trailers. It is either a suspenion pin box or a suspenion hitch. In my case the pin box was a better, and less expensive choice. I can say that I have less jerking and trailer rides much better. My next thing to do is to install the "Trail-Air Equa Flex", this replaces the suspenion equalizers.

I agree. I have a Mor-Ryde pin box and rubber equalizers on my trailer. Does the Fifth Airbourne reduce lateral stress too?



Sorry for the slight hi-jack.

 

[Arkapigdiesel]

Here's an extender that will add an additional nine inches from the front of the trailer to the cab: http://www.mrtruck.net/popup.htm

 

[Hoodoo]

Ouch

Definitely make sure you check out your clearances before towing. I had a 2001 24Valve and went to park my 32 foot Cardinal at a friends house before going to Kuwait for a few months. Putting trust in my friends driveway and not thinking about the clearances... :{ Yep $2300 in damage to drivers side rear pillar and a new sliding rear window, just my luck to learn things the hard way!!



I had a B&W 30k goose neck hitch that worked great, easy install and all you have to do is pull a latch and the ball and whole apparatus is hidden in your bed. I just saw a new gooseneck adapter that does the same thing as sliders on regular fifth wheel mounts but of course works with a gooseneck. Guess the reason I like the gooseneck is you don't have a hitch that you have to drag out of the bed every time you get somewhere and you have a little more room in the bed for stuff. Hope this helps out.



By the way no sig for my vehicle as I just have a Toyota tacoma right now, it's being traded off in the next month for a used 03-05 with a complete veggie oil system installed!! But my past Cummins have been: 95, 98. 5, 01, 05... can't wait to get back in a Dodge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ScottLewis]

Check out Kem Lenger's website for an excellent diagram about turning situations with the various hitches as well as many other very practical things about towing. www.Klenger.net



Dan

 

[JTH]

I agree that the superglide is the best choice for any shortbed truck. My dad has a 53' 3 car trailer at his wrecking yard that I have towed many times with my truck and it is as wide as they come, even at the front. With the superglide I can maneuver that thing in spots you wouldn't believe, It's even more maneuverable than our 96 Dually. Overall the price is worth knowing you won't hit your cab. .

 

[NUKEMAN]

Definitely make sure you check out your clearances before towing. I had a 2001 24Valve and went to park my 32 foot Cardinal at a friends house before going to Kuwait for a few months. Putting trust in my friends driveway and not thinking about the clearances... :{ Yep $2300 in damage to drivers side rear pillar and a new sliding rear window, just my luck to learn things the hard way!!



I had a B&W 30k goose neck hitch that worked great, easy install and all you have to do is pull a latch and the ball and whole apparatus is hidden in your bed. I just saw a new gooseneck adapter that does the same thing as sliders on regular fifth wheel mounts but of course works with a gooseneck. Guess the reason I like the gooseneck is you don't have a hitch that you have to drag out of the bed every time you get somewhere and you have a little more room in the bed for stuff. Hope this helps out.



By the way no sig for my vehicle as I just have a Toyota tacoma right now, it's being traded off in the next month for a used 03-05 with a complete veggie oil system installed!! But my past Cummins have been: 95, 98. 5, 01, 05... can't wait to get back in a Dodge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just PLEASE promise us that you won't put unleaded in your next CTD. . I'm sure your '05 was never quite the same after that morning.

 

[klenger]

Check out Kem Lenger's website for an excellent diagram about turning situations with the various hitches as well as many other very practical things about towing. www.Klenger.net



Dan

Here's the complete link: http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/short-5er-towing.pdf

 

[ACerf]

I agree. I have a Mor-Ryde pin box and rubber equalizers on my trailer. Does the Fifth Airbourne reduce lateral stress too?



Sorry for the slight hi-jack.

The 5th Airborne pin box that gives the short bed truck more turning radius, I believe only gives up and down movement. The other 5th Airborne pin boxes give both lateral and up/down movement. Understand that Trail-Air is working on one that will also do both. I have the Trail-Air and it works very well. I have left stuff sitting on the kitchen counter and stopped for lunch and the things are still sitting there.