Fifth Wheel and Shortbed Advice Needed

[Alan Reagan]

I've been recalled to active duty (again) and this time I'm thinking of living in a Somerset fifth wheel for the next twelve months at an RV park on base. I'm sick of the BOQ and this way the family can come visit and bring the dog.



Here's my question. The Somerset RV I'm looking at has an extended hitch that appears to be flush with the front of the trailer nose. Can the quad cab short bed be used as a tow vehicle for a fifth wheel? Looking at the bed, it appears as though there will be cab interference if the hitch is located over the axle. I talked to a guy at the RV park yesterday who told me there is a hitch made that mounts over the axle for weight distribution but the actual hitch is offset to the rear specifically for short bed trucks. I haven't talked to the dealer yet about this hitch.



I'm looking for some input, please. The dealer with the RV I'm looking at has agreed to tow and setup for me. I'm thinking of the long term. If something is not available then I would also have to invest in a long bed within the next twelve months.



Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

First of all, thanks for your service. We need more people like you.



You have nothing to worry about towing with a QC SWB. There are several hitches known as "sliders" that work for people with short beds. I have a Reese 16k Quick Slide. When I need to manuever in tight spaces, I stop the truck, pull a lever, slide the hitch back between 12" - 18", and put the trailer wherever I need to go. No doubt, a long bed would be easier than having to use the slider, but my desire for a short bed outweighed that for me.



If you want pictures, let me know. I'm brining my 5er home tomorrow, and would be happy to shoot some for you.

 

[Schlickenmeyer]

I have a QC short bed and a fiver, and the cost of the extended pin box was very minimal, and made all the difference. Ok, once I did touch the glass with the corner of the fiver, but I only left a paint mark, and I do have a reese slider, just did not use it. With a slider you should be fine, and if you get the slider and the extended pin box, you have zero worries.

Thanks for your service!

 

[P Pacatang]

I also want to say thank you for serving our country. There is a company called PullRite they have a hitch called Super Glide it is made for shortbed trucks. I've talked to a person who has one and he said he loves it, it works automaticly. He said its really good but not cheep. www.PullRite.com.info@PullRite.com. Hope this might be able to help you

 

[Alan Reagan]

Thanks alot for the information.



On my service, that's no problem. I did 3 1/2 years immediately following 9/11. They sent me home from December 2004 until now. I reported aboard this week. Fortunately, I'll be in one place for the entire period.



I'm just tired of the noise, climbing the steps and all the other things associated with barracks life. Although it's single rooms now, it's like living in a cheap hotel.



The "sliding" fifth wheel should solve the problem. I'll still have to remove my tool box when I tow. :{



See you guys on the coast.



Alan

 

[Loren]

Alan,



I have a SuperGlide hitch from Pulliam Enterprises. It's outrageously expensive, but my justification for the cost was that if I hit the trailer against the truck even once, I would consider the cost of the hitch minimal. The SuperGlide attaches to a cam that is bolted (or welded) to the trailer's hitch. It automatically slides the hitch to the rear as the trailer turns sideways. The automatic feature means that you don't have to remember to get out and slide it manually.



Regarding the report of a hitch that mounts over the axle, but the actual hitch is located behind the mount:

If that claim was made by the manufacturer, run away. It is impossible for such a situation to exist, and any engineer knows it. If the manufacturer claims that this will work, then they don't have any engineers working for them.



I was in the military for a number of years too and didn't have a lot of spare cash to buy a special hitch then. If you can't afford the SuperGlide, one of the manual sliding hitches will do the job, just don't forget to use it when you need it.



Good luck,

Loren