pulling 5th wheel with short bed

[gperkins]

hello iam new to the forum and was wanting to know if i could pull my 5th wheel with the new short bed i am wanting a 3500 quad cab single rear wheel 4x4,boy thats as long as the truck,and wanted to know if the camper would clear the cab?thanks in advance for any help

 

[TPCDrafting]

It's possible to buy a 5th wheel hitch that slides back putting the pin behind the axle with the flip of a lever. It allows you to turn much sharper and get through the tight spot, then once back near the main road, just slide it back forward. A friend has one on his short bed and pulls a 35' 5er/toy hauler. He has no problems getting around. I pull GN's all the time with the short bed. Even Horse trailers w/ "boxed" front ends and don't have much trouble, just need to keep an eye on things when pulling u-turns and backing. I think if I were pulling a 5'er long distances on a regular basis, I'd go with a dually, from what I've read, they are more stable than the SRW as well you're tires will last longer as their temps will be cooler under load. Either way, get what makes ya happy and welcome to the boards.

 

[gperkins]

thanks i have an 01 quad cab 4x4 dually now that i pull with but the wife just cant get use to it because of the duals and thats one of the rasons for getting another truck

 

[klenger]

I think that the distance from cab to axle on the '03 short box trucks is about 3" less than the previous models (to make more room for the back seat). It almost make the short box impossible for 5er towing IMHO. Anyone else compared the numbers?

 

[WOT]

I have a shortbed w/a pullrite superglide hitch. It automatically slides back as you turn. I know the previous posts mention the fact that the '03 has a 3" shorter bed & presumeably 3" shorter distance from the back of the cab to the center of the axle. Depending on the hitch pin location you should be fine with a superglide hitch. The pin on my 5r is about 2" behind the front of the camper. I would guess (nevered actually measured) that the closest the cab gets to the camper would be about 5". That closest distance is probably at about 45* or so - actually goes back a little farther at 90*. Don't know if the make one for a '03 yet, but might be worth checking into. Warning: It ain't cheap! got mine for a great price (from what I could tell from calling several places & checking online) -- $1600.



Just tell the dealer that you will buy the truck if they include a 5r hitch of your choice!

 

[Fireman]

gperkins,

I had a short bed and used the Pullrite superglide. It is a great hitch, but pricey and you can only pull a trailer with an adapter on the pin box. This would rarely if ever present a problem,but it is a possibility. I read somewhere that the difference in the turning radius of a long bed QC and short bed QC was only about 3', that's not much. I can tell very little difference in the maneuverability of my long bed QC and a short bed.
Just a thought for your consideration.

Fireman

 

[WOT]

Fireman56 has a good point - the adapter plate. Pullrite sells 2 types. One that requires drilling & bolting and the other which they call the "dealer plate. " I haven't seen this one, but I talked to them about it. Appearently it can be "quickly" moved from one trailer to another. Whatever you do make sure whoever installs the hitch doesn't weld the adapter to the camper - it would be impossible for anyone else with a regular 5r hitch to tow it.

 

[BigMo]

Slider hitch & SB

I don't know about the `03 models, but I've got an `01 shortbed with a Draw Tite slider hitch and a tilting head. It is sometimes a little bit of a hassle to get out of the truck and flip the hitch lever, then "slide" the truck back or forward to lock in the hitch.



However, I've gotten into some UNBELIEVABLY tight spots with our 35 foot fiver toy box, and I've never failed to get back out (at least so far ) I bought the short bed `cause it's my daily driver and parking lots `round here are made for munchkin cars.



I could never tow my camper without the slider hitch, though.

 

[Fireman]

Try this

gperkins,



Go to your friendly dealer and test drive a shortbed and a longbed. Drive both around the dealers lot to see how different the two are. You might be suprised. Just a thought.



Fireman

 

[John Berger]

I like the long bed for towing. Another great invention was the extended hitch/pin box. I've turned around in some tight places that I never would have considered when I towed off the factory hitch. Every time I execute one of these hairpin turns, I tell the wife to check out the trailer behind the truck. She refuses to look, but the only way I'd ever make contact on level ground is if I deliberately turned into the trailer. On severely unlevel ground, I just take it real slow. Haven't touched yet.

 

[gperkins]

i thank everyone for the info i do need to get a short bed because the wife will be driveing this one most of the time and kind of agree with big mo on the parking i also wander if i can use the extended hitch pin along with a slider hitch?

 

[WOT]

Most new campers have an extended box. It just varies from make to make as to how far they extend. One that extends beyond the leading edge of the camper and used with a sliding hitch should never give you any clearance problems.

 

[Royal]

I have a 99 SWB and a Reese Slider. Cost about 6/700 dollars. I pull a Arctic Fox which has a extended pin box. I have been in all kinds and shape's of RV parks and have only used the slide once due too very uneven terrain. Extended pins are only available on short trailers,due to the stress it would put on the 5er frame of a large heavy unit. Remember that you can park a SWB in most parking spaces and also most important in most home garages.

 

[gperkins]

thanks alot guys i guess i have the extended box on my cardinal it sticks out about 16 to 18 inches beyond the front of the 5er so maybe the slider hitch a do me on the new short bed trucks thanks again

 

[Roger rodbolt]

gperkins,



I prefer a shortbed truck and modifed the Reese sliding 5th wheel for an additional four inches of travel. It work well for me but I still disliked moving the hitch in and out of the bed. I welded nutplates under the rails so that they were easy to remove but finally decided to go back to a travel trailer. Picked up a used Hensley Hitch and now I'm . Larry