New Owner hitch question

[stevenj]

Hey guys I am buying an 85 jayco 2450 ( He believes) from my grandfather. I have a 2011 ford f150 and I am being told that when I turn the camper will make contact with the truck. My wife went down to have the hitch installed and that's when they made the determination. they measured and it seems as if they are correct. My question is I am looking at a sidewinder or something similar. does anyone have any suggestions on what is best to use. I have hade the camper weighed and I am well within towing cap. etc. I am not concerned with that at all. My only concern is which hitch I need so that I do not crush my truck cab. Thanks in advance.

[dalebra]

I'm assuming you have a short bed box. You have options but I would recommend an Auto Slider Hitch like a Pull Rite Superglide.

[stevenj]

no I believe the problem is that I have a super cab truck I have 4 full doors. the bed is normal in size. (8ft) I think the WB on the truck is shorter due to the extended cab size. Are there different sizes of hitches for the campers.

[dalebra]

Originally Posted by stevenj

no I believe the problem is that I have a super cab truck I have 4 full doors. the bed is normal in size. (8ft) I think the WB on the truck is shorter due to the extended cab size. Are there different sizes of hitches for the campers.

The simple answer to your question is YES.

What an auto slide hitch does is, as you turn it automatically moves the king pin toward the tailgate as much as 14" when at a 90 degree angle.

However, if you have an 8ft. box you shouldn't need a slider. Is the king pin on the trailer set back from the front of the cap more then a few inches? If so, you may want to look at an extended king pin.

Pictures would help.

[tularockstar]

Mostly likely you will not need a slider hitch, if you have the 8ft bed. You should have enough clearance to make a jack knife (90 degree) turn. But, if you're not sure, check with your local hitch installer. To play it safe, you can install the Reese sidewinder King Pin box.

Originally Posted by stevenj

no I believe the problem is that I have a super cab truck I have 4 full doors. the bed is normal in size. (8ft) I think the WB on the truck is shorter due to the extended cab size. Are there different sizes of hitches for the campers.

[stevenj]

what is an extended king pin? sorry this is our first 5th wheel so im fairly ignorant to terms. I found the answer on google

[stevenj]

does anyone have any experience with these products. extensions and or sliders or the sidewinder type hitches. I am hoping to get all the info for them the good the bad the ugly and the miserable.

[dalebra]

Originally Posted by stevenj

what is an extended king pin? sorry this is our first 5th wheel so im fairly ignorant to terms.

I should have said "Extended King Pin Box".

This moves the king pin out closer to the front of the trailer.
Or like tularockstar said a "Reese sidewinder King Pin box".

[Subaru297]

As far as I know the crew cab (four full doors) does not come with an 8' box. You can get 5.5' or 6.5' but not 8'. The super cab or regular cab can come with the 8' box. The super cab has the reverse opening suicide doors. Do you have a super cab or crew cab?

If you really have an 8' box then you should not need a sliding hitch. If you have a crew cab and 6.5' box then you probably will need a slider and/or an extension.

[stevenj]

Crew cab my apologies

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Subaru297

As far as I know the crew cab (four full doors) does not come with an 8' box. You can get 5.5' or 6.5' but not 8'. The super cab or regular cab can come with the 8' box. The super cab has the reverse opening suicide doors. Do you have a super cab or crew cab?

If you really have an 8' box then you should not need a sliding hitch. If you have a crew cab and 6.5' box then you probably will need a slider and/or an extension.

My '06 F-350 has 4 doors and a 8' box. Of course manufacturers vary options from year to year.

[Subaru297]

Your Superduty has different options. 8' box (long box) and 6'7" box (short box).
An F150 Crew Cab has a long box option and short box option as well but the long box is 6'5" and the short box is 5'5".
The 8' box is only available for regular cab and super cabs in the F150.

So the OP has a 6'5" bed and will likely need a slider even though he has the "long box".

[stevenj]

Can I use the extension as opposed to a slider to save $$$ I work for uncle Sam.