Fifth Wheel

[Nightterror]

I have a 3/4 ton Dodge Ram that is a short bed and a 32ft Fifth Wheel trailer.

I have been told I can't pull the trailer with a shortbed because it will hit the cab. In this economy, I can't sell the truck and I can't sell the trailer.

Any advice - Please?

Thanks in advance.

[Teo del Fuego]

saw off the roof of your truck and remember to duck when turning corners. That's always worked for me

[BitterDan]

saw off the roof of your truck and remember to duck when turning corners. That's always worked for me

buahahahahahaha

[Captain Goddammit]

That seems unlikely because a lot of people pull fifth-wheels with shortbeds, but I guess it depends on just how your trailer is built.
The best forum to ask this question is here: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fusea ... rum/24.cfm

[Token]

For short bed 5th wheel hauling there is a cool invention called the Slide Hitch. It allows full 180 degree side to side by sliding the hitch back from the optimal axle location after the turn exceeds a maximum angle.

Here is some manufacturer propaganda that illustrates how these work

http://www.pullrite.com/mm6.htm

[oleg8888]

I have a 3/4 ton Dodge Ram that is a short bed and a 32ft Fifth Wheel trailer.

So you never towed it?
Just curiose, how did you end up with these?

[Nightterror]

I have a 3/4 ton Dodge Ram that is a short bed and a 32ft Fifth Wheel trailer.

So you never towed it?
Just curiose, how did you end up with these?

I bought an old trailer from a friend who towed it to my property so I could camp their on the weekends. We have land in Palomino Valley outside of Reno. A year later I bought the Dodge from another friend. After six years of tent camping at Burningman, the wife wants to take the trailer. I was told by a cowboy at work that I couldn't pull the trailer with the shortbed. When I bought the truck, I had no plans to ever move the trailer so I didn't care it was a shortbed.

The slider seems the right option but it is xxxxxxxpensive. The RV blog site had good info. I will do more research and report back.

[TomServo]

I drive an 18wheeler, but am not familiar with pickup truck recievers. I realize the placement of the fifthwheel is critical to the weight load on the truck bed. But can the fifth wheel be moved to the rear of the bed, to provide clearance from the cab? If so, you might be able to alter the mounting base of the fifth wheel..like welding on a larger one to disperse the weight over a larger area...moving the weight forward in the bed. Provided its a solid weld...altering the frame on a tractor is illegal. would suck to lose the trailer. And would doubly suck to catch it with your vehicle. Just a thought..good luck

[Captain Goddammit]

I also drive and wrench on 18 (and more) wheelers, and haul a lot of heavy equipment.
It doesn't make ANY difference how solidly you attach the hitch, or how much area the mount spreads the weight across. The hitch is already solidly attached to the frame, through the floor of the bed. It's effectively one piece. Adding metal to the hitch mount will make it harder to break, but will not magically shift the weight from where it lies.
The ONLY thing that affects the load distribution front/rear is the placement of the hitch pin.

[TomServo]

can the kingpin be moved forward ? safely...

[Captain Goddammit]

saw off the roof of your truck and remember to duck when turning corners. That's always worked for me

Personally I loved this solution! The only disadvantage I can see is that you won't be able to keep the playa dust out of the cab.

[TomServo]

American RV rents a fifth wheel tow dolly for about 39 bucks a day. They can be purchased for under $1000.