Would Andersen Ultimate AM3200 Give Enough Clearance with a Short Bed Truck

Updated 06/24/2016 | Published 06/23/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Andersen Ultimate Connection 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch System with Adapter - 20,000 lbs

(99)

$840.05

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 18,000 lbs

(711)

$1795.00

Question:

I have a 2007 Dodge 2500 crew cab, short bed with 5th wheel rails. The way I understand the hitch has a offset that you place toward theback of the short bed. If you place the king pin adapter to the front It looks like this would be moving the 5er back about 11 -14. would that not put too much weight behind the wheels and your king pin too close to the tailgate ? Also I have a plastic bedliner that was cutout for the rails, will that be ok with the andersen?

asked by: Rick T

Expert Reply:

The Andersen Ultimate Connection 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch System # AM3200 provides an offset, or set-back, of 9-inches to allow better clearance for shorter truck beds. Now this typically will work in shorter truck beds, but since yours is 6 feet long it may not be enough.

The only way to determine if you would have turning clearance is go also know the width of the nose of the trailer. Here is the formula you would need to use once you have that info.

(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from the center of the gooseneck ball to the truck cab
B = Offset used, (9 inches for the # AM3200)
C = Width of the nose of the trailer divided by 2.

You will need at least 4 inches of clearance to safely make a 90 degree turn.

A slider hitch may be your best option since 9 inches isn't typically enough. Instead an auto sliding fifth wheel hitch like the Demco Hijacker part # DM8550034 would be a great way to go.

Either way if your bed liner is already trimmed for the fifth wheel rails you would not need to do any additional trimming.