5th Wheel Clearance

[Trojan2225]

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.

[BipeFlier]

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.

[scott]

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.

[Dayle1]

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.

[Hamops]

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

[Hunter11]

I will give you another option, a Sidewinder pin box.

[Stan]

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.....

[socoguy]

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

[timonbik]

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.

[rdpalm]

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.