Quote:
Originally Posted by chlinthi
What about the 5th wheel hitch? I have a 2011 F250 Diesel 4x4 Crew cab with the short 6.5" bed. Is a sliding hitch required or will I be fine with a standard hitch? Any specific recommendations on the hitch brand?
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There isn't a 'one size fits all' answer to that.
Some 5th wheel trailers have a front cap where the front corners are contoured to miss the truck cab rear corners when using a standard hitch.
Some 5th wheel trailers have an extended 5th wheel pin box intended to avoid problems with the standard 6 1/2' bed trucks.
A standard fixed hitch may work. Or a slider hitch may be needed. Manual slider hitches have to be slid backwards before tight maneuvering. An automatic slider like a
Superglide will do it automatically.
When I was a RV parts department guy, I recall that for the early Superduty Fords, there were at least 3 different bracket kits for mounting Husky/Valley 5th wheel hitch bed rails. One of the bracket kits would position the bed rails about an inch and a half more towards the rear of the truck bed than the other kits. It was an advantage in a short (standard) bed truck.
I suppose the only sure way of knowing is to set up the truck with bed rails and a dealer shop hitch. Hook up to the trailer and slowly back into a tight curve while someone watches for clearance between the truck and camper. If the two are going to make contact, get a slider hitch. If the clearance is good, then a standard hitch will do the job.
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