wowens79
Georgia
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Joined: 01/05/2015
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We are looking at going to a 5th wheel from a TT. I keep hearing people talking about being able to turn 90 degrees. I really want to do with the standard B&W hitch in my F-350 with the 6'11" bed.
I realize if I turn too sharp I can damage the truck and camper, but I figure if I can turn a 5ver to 80degrees, that is alot sharper than the probably 45 degrees I can turn my TT. My current TT is 33', and the 5ver we are looking at is 35', so actual towing length will be shorter. Am I missing something?
2022 Ford F-350 7.3l
2002 Chevy Silverado 1500HD 6.0l 268k miles (retired)
2016 Heritage Glen 29BH
2003 Flagstaff 228D Pop Up
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phillyg
SWFL
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You don't need to get to 90 degrees, until you do. My experience has been that auto sliding hitches for short bed trucks are important.
--2005 Ford F350 Lariat Crewcab 6.0, 4x4, 3.73 rear
--2016 Montana 3711FL, 40'
--2014 Wildcat 327CK, 38' SOLD
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4x4ord
Alberta
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Joined: 12/23/2010
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I towed my fiver for nearly 20 years with short box trucks and a nonsliding hitch. It’s not hard to do. I recently purchased a B&W sliding hitch and use the slider much more than I thought I would. It’s nice for hooking up …. especially at an angle. It allows ample room to walk behind the truck with the tailgate down. I can access my front basement compartment without unhooking. Now that I slide the hitch back for tight maneuvering I run the hitch a little closer to the cab while towing. I think it might tow a little nicer adjusted this way.
2023 F350 SRW Platinum short box 4x4.
B&W Companion
2008 Citation Platinum XL 34.5
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MFL
Midwest
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IMO, twisting to 90 degrees is just foolish, adds unnecessary stress to tires/wheels/suspension.
As to the need...being a TT owner now, do you turn or back to 90 degrees? Of course you don't, you would hit truck/trailer.
I have no issue turning/backing with my Ford standard bed, using a B&W non-sliding hitch. I'm more concerned about height clearance, with a FW, than hitting my cab.
Nope, you're not missing anything, except that your overthinking the angle needed when towing a FW. Just like the TT, just a bit of pull forward to straighten, before continuing to back, is just common sense when backing any trailer.
Jerry
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BB_TX
McKinney, Texas
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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14 years towing the 5er and never once came close to 90 degrees. Even in some tight campgrounds.
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wowens79
Georgia
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MFL wrote:IMO, twisting to 90 degrees is just foolish, adds unnecessary stress to tires/wheels/suspension.
As to the need...being a TT owner now, do you turn or back to 90 degrees? Of course you don't, you would hit truck/trailer.
I have no issue turning/backing with my Ford standard bed, using a B&W non-sliding hitch. I'm more concerned about height clearance, with a FW, than hitting my cab.
Nope, you're not missing anything, except that your overthinking the angle needed when towing a FW. Just like the TT, just a bit of pull forward to straighten, before continuing to back, is just common sense when backing any trailer.
Jerry
Thanks Jerry, that’s what I was thinking that I was only at probably 45 degrees with my TT, so even 75 would be plenty.
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Cummins12V98
on the road
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Long bed, no compromise. ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"
"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600
2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable
2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD
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garyp4951
TN
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I've had a B&W Companion for 20 years, and tried the B&W sliding base for a while, but after it tore up the top of my tailgate once I went back to the Companion base.
I have it set 3" behind the axle and no problems with Ram short bed.
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lenr
Indianapolis, IN
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Joined: 04/12/2008
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I will use my manual slider hitch when I just don't want to have to watch closely. It's hard to tell the difference between 3" clearance or 1" too far in a turn. I've dented both sides of the cab.
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C Schomer
Pueblo West, Co.
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I only buy LB P/Us but I still don’t ever come close to 90 degrees..You can also mount the hitch a little behind center.. That should work fine with a 6’11” bed..
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