Since I am researching the F350, I figured I should find out if the short bed can do 5th wheel. In the Order guide for the F250 it lists that the 5th wheel base is only on the long bed, but haven't really seen anything on the F350. More than likely it will be on a 15 or 16 Platinum, unless by some miracle a 2017 Plat comes my way with a really good price on it. Just want to make sure that a few years down the road when I go to get my first 5th wheel RV that I would be stuck not being able to tow due to bed length.
A short bed can work but in order to gain the benefit of a 5th wheels turning radius when backing up, you would need to install a slider hitch if you pan to install the hitch in the proper location. If it's a manual slider, then you will need to remember to use it or risk losing your rear cab window.
Personally, I would suggest you base your decision on how much time the truck will spend in parking lots. If it's mainly used for highway use and pulling, a long bed wins every time in comfort and stability. But I don't have to tell you that, I see from your sig your 99 was a LB.
I have never owned a SB and probably never will but I also usually take the car when I'm going into town shopping... a 172 wheelbase can be a pain in small parking lots.
If a SB works with the proper hitch, then that makes it easier locating the right truck as most are SB that I found. I would love another Dually like I had. I felt like I was back in a big rig when I drove it, but like you said, parking lots are a pain, and parking garages, forgetaboutit! Of course even a SB SRW can be a pain in garages. Thankfully my garage is large enough for a Dually Screw LB with room to spare.
Revisiting this thread now that I found the right truck, right in that the price was right and it is in very good shape, and we like it. It is a SB, and has a CURT Q20 installed already. I don't know what they towed with it, but no dents in the cab. Is there a specific way I should take measurements for when I research trailers? If I can make the existing hitch work with a trailer we like, great, otherwise I can look into replacing it with a slider instead. I would prefer not to if I don't have to.
Some 5th wheels have pin boxes that jut forward quite a bit, which might negate the need for a slide hitch. That was the case for my last one that I sold about 4 years ago. I had a slider that I never used...the pin was almost a foot in front of the trailer front panel, IIRC.
I have a 15 SB and pull a 32' Montana. I have a B&W companion hitch without a slider works fine. I never found a need for a slider. I have towed my 5th wheel over 30,000 miles so far without a issue. I have mine one hole back from the forward most hole and as low as I could get it. I could move the hitch back one more hole if I need to but so far we are golden.
Some 5th wheels have pin boxes that jut forward quite a bit, which might negate the need for a slide hitch. That was the case for my last one that I sold about 4 years ago. I had a slider that I never used...the pin was almost a foot in front of the trailer front panel, IIRC.
Some fifth wheel RVs, Heartland products particularly, have a curved front cap that allows an angle of nearly 90 degrees without the front of the trailer getting near the cab of a truck with a short bed & no need for a slider hitch. Having towed 5th wheels for many years, I can’t imagine ever needing to get to an angle like that. You might want to wait & see if your eventual 5th wheel has such a front cap before you just bail off & buy a slider hitch that you don’t need.
My 2017 F250 Crewcab has a terrible sway pulling my 36' Travel Trailer. I pulled this same TT with my 2016 Chevrolet 2500 loaded the same way with no problems. Has anyone experienced this ?
I tow a 33 ft 5th wheel thats about 14,000lbs. I tow both on road and on beaches . I've had Bridgestone Dueler AT Revos, I liked them but they only lasted 35K miles. Switched over to the Nitto Terra Grappler also 35K miles. (liked them but not as much as the Bridgestones) They both wore evenly...
I guess this falls under “Hauling”..... figured it would be a good Fall / Winter project to start building the hold down frame brackets, then need to build the arms to telescope into these for the front—and then start building the rear set that will sleeve into my existing rear hitch. Probably...
Greatings,
I have owned a few 2017 and earlier models, and am familiar with the sequence in getting the trailer charge wire to power up. I now have a 2019 F350 with factory installed tow package, gooseneck hitch and bed harness. It seems that the trailer battery charge line will ONLY stay on...
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