Minimum Truck Bed Length for Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer Without Cab and Loft Clearance Issues

Updated 03/04/2020 | Published 02/01/2011

Question:

Looking at a fifth wheel travel trailer and new tow vehicle. Silverado ext cab with standard box has a bed length of 78.9 inches. I understand that a short box wont allow tight turns without risk of trailer contacting cab but havent found clear info on what length is required. What is the minimum bed length for hauling a fifth wheel without a special hitch or turning limitations? Thank you.

asked by: Dave B

Expert Reply:

The minimum bed length for towing a fifth-wheel trailer with a standard fifth-wheel hitch, see link, is 8 feet. A 6-1/2 inch bed like the Silverado Extended Cab you mentioned can be used along with a slider style fifth-wheel hitch, see link, that requires you to remember to get out of the truck and move a handle to slide the hitch rearward when tight parking and campground situations are encountered. Once ready to go back out on the road the hitch will need to be moved forward, requiring that you exit the vehicle and activate the slider again.

A Sidewinder assembly, like # RP34FR see link, could also be used with a 6-1/2 foot bed. This type of trailer pin box replacement allows full turning radius with a standard fifth wheel hitch on trucks with 6-1/2 foot beds and shorter.

I would look for an 8 foot bed truck, that is 3/4 ton or larger, if you are going to be towing a fifth-wheel trailer. You will not run into issues with turning radius and you will have the capacity to upgrade to a larger setup in the future if you decide to. Buying a tow vehicle that is too small becomes expensive if you decide to upgrade in the future. Take your time and the right truck at the right price will come along.

I have linked some information on fifth-wheel trailers and the Sidewinder mentioned above for you to review. If you decide on a tow vehicle let me know the year, make and model, and the specifics about the trailer you are purchasing, along with any ideas you have about the setup you would like, and I will be glad to help you select a towing setup for your vehicle and trailer.

expert reply by: Robert G

Sue

3/3/2020

I am looking at buying a Grand Design Solitude 310GK with a washer/dryer, 4 panels of solar with 4 lithium batteries and a portable Honda generator.The truck that I am looking at is the Ram 3500 6.7L16 Cummins HO Turbo Diesel engine, crew cab, 4x4, 8 foot bed with air suspension. I would like to upgrade with tires to add additional payload capacity without going to duel tires. What make and type should I buy? And, do I need to upgrade the gear ratio axle and or alternator from standard to something else?

Chris R.

3/4/2020

The honest answer here is that upgrading to larger tires won't increase the payload of the Ram. This number is set at the factory and is likely dictated by something else (frame, suspension components, etc). It's also really important to note that even if you made additional changes like upgrading the axle ratio, you're still going to be limited by the stock towing capacity in Ram's eyes. Any issue wouldn't be covered under warranty if you exceed the capacity outlined in the owner's manual. Would the Grand Design be exceeding this truck's capacity as it's currently equipped?