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05-02-2013, 04:47 AM
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#1
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New Camper
Join Date: May 2013
Location:
Posts: 1
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Does anyone know how much clearance you need from the cab to the nose of the trailer? I just purchased a Sunset Trail 32RL 5th wheel and looking for the right hitch set up.
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2013 Ram 2500 Crew Cab
2013 Sunset Trail 32RL 5th Wheel
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05-02-2013, 05:11 AM
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#2
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Mid-Missouri
Posts: 458
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Not trying to be a wise guy but that depends on how far you expect to turn without busting out the back glass of the truck.
Hitches are generally installed with the center of the pin 2" in front of the truck's rear axle.
Driving down the road will not be an issue. Sliding hitches are available for short beds to allow manuvering in tight places.
There are those that will tell you you don't need a slider but then there are the auto collision shops that make a lot of money repairing cabs also.
If you have a 8" bed (which seems to be very rare these days) clearance isn't an issue.
Long story short, measure the width of the trailer, divide by 2 and that is how much clearance you need from the pin to the cab to allow a 90 degree turn.
Talk to you dealer for his recommendation on the hitch set up best for you.
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2016 Duramax - 2010 CF30SKP
Viet Nam Vet 70-71 Da Nang
Real airplanes have two wings and big, round, engines
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05-02-2013, 06:40 AM
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#3
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 336
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Great advise above. I have a short bed truck and a slider hitch. I have never had to slide the hitch back to gain more clearance but I'm glad it's there. I always watch the nose of camper when I'm turning more than a regular street turn just to make sure I'm not busting out my back window.
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05-02-2013, 08:54 AM
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#4
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,508
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No standard bed (i.e. 6-1/2 ft) has sufficient clearance for a 90 degree trailer-to-truck angle with a fixed hitch. A 96" wide trailer needs 48 inches, GM is about 42 inches, Ford is about 41 inches and Dodge is about 39 inches. However, fivers with notched front caps can get close to 90 degrees and that works the majority of the time. If not, then a little extra maneuvering will work.
Before slider hitches or notched front caps were an option, I was limited to less than 65 degrees and did fine for many years.
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Larry Day
Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders member since '01
13 Silverado 3500HD D/A, 2wd CCSB srw, custom RKI bed
11 Cruiser CF32MK
https://www.picturetrail.com/dayle1
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05-02-2013, 09:40 AM
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#5
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ontario
Posts: 508
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I've had a slider hitch since day one, and one occasion, I didn't use it and I blew out the back window. Lesson was learned quickly. Besides a slider hitch for a short box, another item that you may want to consider is a BedSaver. It's the cheapest insurance that you'll ever pay for. If it's only ever used once, it will have paid for itself. Here's a link to what I'm talking about.
http://www.blueox.com/p-1276-bedsaverpinlock.aspx
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Cheers
Helen & George VE3INB and Max (Bichon Frise)
2006 Silverado 2500HD D/A,
2006 Cruiser CF30SK
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05-02-2013, 10:17 AM
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#6
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,510
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I will give you another option, a Sidewinder pin box.
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17 Chevy 3500 DRW 4X4
16 Mobile Suites 36RSSB4
2 Mini Dachshunds
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05-02-2013, 10:42 AM
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#7
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 1
Posts: 2,036
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Don't the new 5'ers come with the front corners cut out so you don't hit the cab of the truck?? Maybe not all models.....
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05-02-2013, 11:42 AM
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#8
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: , RI
Posts: 1,164
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Marvin and Larry are bothknowledgeableand I believe correct. You may never use it but with a short bed asituationcan arise where you need it,even with the cut corners. (90Degreeturn design). If you don't have a slider you can't use it! I have profited by this forummultipletimes, most everyone wants to help. Keith is also correct about the Sidewinder. X2 on Scotttscomment. Good luck on your decision.
Go Well
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Al Laura (Lily & Breeze Portie Girls)
2011 F250 6.7 PS Tuxedo Black 4x4
11 305SKP- TPMS- RideRite air bags
Reese 16K Slider Wet Bolts
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05-05-2013, 01:28 AM
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#9
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Ont,, Canada
Posts: 45
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99% of the time you can get away with a shortbed truck without a slider, and I did for 5 years, then one day I was hooking up on unlevel ground and I popped the back window with my wife and brother-in-law watching me. Needless to say there were a fewharsh words but regardless, it taught me to use the slider when hooking up. Since got a longbox, and love it.
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timonbik
34 Seville CK
2011 Chev 3500 Duramax Crew 4X4, Fulltimer
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05-05-2013, 11:15 AM
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#10
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: michigan
Posts: 26
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I have an 8 ft bed so no worries about a tight turn. THANKS for the www on the pin box bed saver. Going to look into that for sure.
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Bob&Deb
USN Ret.
05 F250 Diesel long bed
2011 26RKX
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