Installing 5th Wheel Hitch on 2004 Nissan Titan LE 5.5 ft bed

Updated 12/15/2014 | Published 12/14/2014

Question:

I want to put on a 5th wheel hitch, but do not want to spend $3k on a hitch due to extra parts for a short bed truck. What is the difference if I use a Reese manual sliding hitch and mount the hitch behind the center of the axle vs on the center line of the axle? I know it may lift the front of the truck a bit, but this should still be better than a normal back of the truck hitch, right? I would think pulling from just behind the back axle would be better than the back hitch and stop most of the sway.

asked by: Dave

Expert Reply:

Every fifth wheel hitch install kit has a given spot on the vehicle where it should be installed. Typically, the hitch will be installed so that the king pin of the fifth wheel sits centered atop the rear axle, or within a few inches forward of the rear axle.

Installing the hitch so the king pin falls behind the rear axle is NOT recommended under any circumstance. The trailer pin weight landing behind the rear truck axle will indeed lighten the weight coming down on the front truck axle. This will negatively affect steering and braking response, which would be very unsafe because the front brakes provide the majority of the braking action.

You can use a sliding hitch if you already have one, but it should be left in the frontward or towing position. The ONLY safe way to tow a fifth wheel using a truck with a bed shorter than 6 feet long is to use a Sidewinder.

The proper Reese install kit for your Titan would be part # RP30035-405. The correct Sidewinder for your 5th wheel will depend on the manufacturer and model number of its existing pin box. If you'd care to reply with that information (should be found somewhere on pin box), I'd be happy to make a specific recommendation. The Reese # RP34FR you referenced fits a Fabex 663 and 665, the Lippert 0719, 1621 and 1621HD and the M&M 663 and 665 pin boxes.

expert reply by: Mike L