Recommended 5th Wheel Towing Kit Needed for a 2017 Ford F-150 with a 5-1/2 foot Bed  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Although autosliding 5th wheel hitches, like the Demco Hijacker Autoslide # DM8550034 that you referenced, are a great option to use for a short bed truck, since your 2017 Ford F-150 has a 5-1/2 foot bed a sliding or autosliding hitch will not provide enough turning clearance for tight turns. We do have a solution for you though!

To allow you to make up to 90 degree turns with your short bed F-150 you will want to change out your current pin box to a Sidewinder. A Sidewinder pin box, like part # RP34FR, moves the pivot point of your towing setup 22 inches further back as opposed to the 12-14 inches that most sliding 5th wheel hitches offer. The Sidewinder that I mentioned is a direct replacement for the popular 1621 and 0719 pin boxes. Since these are pin box specific you will need your pin box number to choose the correct one from the linked page. If you let me know what your pin box number is I can recommend the correct replacement for you.

The 5th wheel hitch that I recommend going with is the Reese M5 20K # RP30928 which is compatible with the Sidewinder and uses dual-locking serrated jaws for a secure fit around the king pin.

To use this hitch in your F-150 you will need base rails. I recommend going with part # RP50087-58 which is custom fit for your F-150 and does not require holes to be drilled into the frame of your truck.

If you don't already have a 7-Way installed in the bed of your F-150 then I also recommend installing the Hopkins Endurance # 41157 which will make hooking up your trailer wiring much easier.

expert reply by: Jon G

0

Rodney R.

1/16/2018

Would i be able to make U turns and or 90degr. turns? Also would a sidewinder be better than a auto glide? or both together? Demco 13K DM8550040

Jon G.

1/16/2018

The Sidewinder will allow you to make a 90 degree turn, yes. However, it is not compatible with an autosliding 5th wheel hitch like the Demco # DM8550040 that you referenced. You can use the Sidewinder with certain sliding hitches if the sliding action is locked out, but if you were to try to use the sliding action or an autosliding 5th wheel it would cause you to have too many moving parts and would not allow you to safely tow your trailer. The best setup for a 5-1/2 foot bed is a stationary hitch and a Sidewinder.