Suggestions for towing with short bed/without slider hitch?

[Blue Thunder]

Besides telling me not to, what else can I do???



I already have a $2500 'air-ride' hitch from my QC LB, and I dont want to give it up.



How far back can I mount the bed rails?



How long can I extend the pin??

 

[klenger]

The Dodge short box is really short. Keep in mind that any time the distance from the king pin to the cab is less than 1/2 the width of thetrailer, you will hit the cab in a 90 degree jacknife turn, regardless of the length of an extended pin box. You may already be aware of all this, but I wanted to post this for anyone new to 5th wheel towing that might be reading.

 

[RHARVEY]

Mount the rails so that the pin is right over the axle! A number of the trailers now days come with the extended pin that will give you more room. The best advice is use what you got and watch what you are doing. In all the times that we have pulled a 5'er I can count on one hand how many times that I have had it at 90*...



Rick

 

[EricBu12]

Get the 10" Pin Box Extender from RV5



www.rv5.com



this clamps to the kingpin and uses 6 bolts to bolt to the pinbox for Twist strength...



this extends the pin 10" but it will also raise the front of the trailer like 3" when hooked...



Look at my readers rigs under New raptor pics to see it. .



This has been on for 2 years and no trouble... Still can't do a 90, but you will be closer to it with this... . I was able to get like 60-70 deg before the top of the cab hit the front edge of the trailer...



Eric

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Mount the rails so that the pin is right over the axle! A number of the trailers now days come with the extended pin that will give you more room. The best advice is use what you got and watch what you are doing. In all the times that we have pulled a 5'er I can count on one hand how many times that I have had it at 90*...



Rick

Exactly! For the past 6 years I've been living in my 5th wheel and have lived in 54 different RV parks. The first two years I pulled with a short box, no slider hitch. Never had one problem backing or cornering.

Like RHARVEY said, I too can count on one hand the amount of times I've had it at 90*. Just be aware of your surroundings and keep a close eye on what you're doing.

 

[new2dodge]

i HAVE AN 05 QCSB. WHEN THEY MOUNTED MY 5TH WHEEL HITCH THEY SET IT BACK SOMETHING LIKE 1-2 INCHES FROM THE AXLE CENTERLINE NO PROBLEMS SO FAR.

 

[JAlford]

See the attached link - Air ride offers a slider version. you might be able to adapt the sliding rails.

http://www.airsafehitches.com/airbox.html



I would stick with finding a way to slide, and use an extended pin and hitch point behind the axle as a last resort.



I have a similar issue, as my new truck is a Megacab and I am using a goose adapter on the trailer currently, and plan to continue to tow with the '99 LB. If you tow in the mountains in the east, you may need the extra angle on a regular basis. Ever get to a low clearance underpass and have to turn around on a two lane road?

Jeff

 

[Kingsbury]

I made a hitch which locates my 5th wheel ball back 11 inchs in the bed of my pickup. I have about 30,000 miles pulling our 30 foot goose neck with no problems. Put the goose neck where ever you need it, just beware of your tailgate.

 

[JAshpaugh]

I had a new Pullrite installed last week. A guy came in with a 06' Ford with the back window punched out and a big dent on the roof corner. He pulled into a gas station with a steep driveway. Remember, when the truck and or trailer articulate (go uphill or downhill while the trailer or truck stay flat) it brings the cab closer to the trailer also. . Just a thought. .

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

I think a lot of this has to do with what trailer you buy. My old setup was a 01 short bed. I had a POS 5er, but it had an extended king pin. I had this setup for two years, and did not use my slider one time. My new rig is a different story. My bed is 3 inches shorter, and my new trailer's king pin is supposed to be "extended", but I don't see it. I now use the slider feature all the time.

 

[Blue Thunder]

Thanks for all the info. I think the pin extender and extra caution are going to be the right recipe.



ERIcbu12,

Looks like you've got alot of time into that Raptor. I've had mine for about a year and a half now and I love it. How hard is it to install that extender?? Should I do it myself or have a shop do it??

 

[new2dodge]

1-2 inches

my 05 qcsb's hitch is set 1 to 2 inches behind the axle centerline Works great!

 

[EricBu12]

The RV5 is easy to install just you need to rent or buy a torque wrench capable of 250 ft # ... (Not a typo) for the clamp jaws that go on the old kingpin, and you will need, depending on if you can easily get to the inside of the pinbox plate, you can bolt and nut the 6 bolts to the plate ... otherwise you will need a Tap set to bolt the extender to the pin box... This keeps the extender from pivoting... . I did this. and they say to use 2 on each side and 1 front and rear, well didn't have the space on F and R so I put 3 on each side. Took like 2 hours to install with the bolt tapping.

 

[Diesel&Donuts]

The people that make the 5th Airborne (Elkhart, Ind) pin box is coming out with a pinbox they call the "Sidewinder" that replaces your factory pinbox. The Sidewinder pivots back where the king pin is and not at the hitch. This can be used for those that have the short-beds.

Harold

 

[SHobbs]

I have seen 3 MC duallies so far that have creased cabs from pulling trailers. I had one pass me the other day pulling a three horse slant gooseneck with living quarters and both sides of the cab were dinged pretty good. If you do it just be careful and pay attention when turning.

 

[EricBu12]

Blue thunder,



Be advised the RV5 will raise the front 3" with the adapter on. If you are slightly nose down, this will be good. If you want to get 19. 5 tires. . better to get 225 70r 19. 5" so you keep the same diameter... otherwise if you get the 245's. you will be nose high... I did this and had to raise the springs on blocks 2"... .



Also, what tires are on your Raptor? "Mission"? or Carlisle? I had to replace all 6 because of separation on my missions... which were made in W. taipei, taiwan... got 6 "Road Master" Made by Goodyear in Canada... these seem much better. .



So check your level when doing these things as a too heavy axle can make prone to blowouts.