Recommendation to Tow 5th Wheel Trailer with 2012 Ford F-150 with 5-1/2 Foot Bed  

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Expert Reply:

I do have a solution for you, however Convert-A-Ball does not recommend using the Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter # CAB-C5GX1216 on trucks with beds shorter than 6 feet. The issue with towing a fifth wheel trailer with a 5-1/2 foot bed is the clearance between the trailer and the rear of the truck cab. Even with an adapter like this one that features an offset, the actual pivot point will not change, so there is still going to be a lot of difficulty when making sharp turns.

The best option for towing a fifth wheel trailer is going to be replacing the gooseneck hitch on your truck with a fixed fifth wheel trailer hitch, along with installing a Reese Sidewinder on the trailer.

The Reese Sidewinder is designed to replace the king pin on your trailer and will move the pivot point 22 inches behind the king pin, making it possible to tow a fifth wheel trailer with a 5-1/2 foot bed. Because these will replace the existing king pin, you will need to locate the pin box number on your trailer in order to find the correct product. This should be located on the pin box itself or you can contact the trailer manufacturer with your VIN, and they will be able to provide you with this information. For example, the Reese Sidewinder # ST400-5AS16K will work with the Leland 7910, 7920 and 7921 pin boxes. I have also attached an article on the Sidewinder that you might find helpful.

Then for a fixed fifth wheel hitch, I recommend looking at the Reese M5 # RP30928 along with the Custom Rail Kit # RP50081-58. This is a very nice hitch that features a 20,000 pound capacity and a forged, single jaw system that will provide a secure connection with the trailer.

expert reply by: Chris R

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