Best 5th Wheel Clearance For 2016 Ford F150 With 5.5 Bed, Also Weight

Updated 10/30/2020 | Published 10/29/2020

Products Featured in This Question

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

(105)

$853.21

B&W Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches

(37)

$260.00

B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs

(727)

$699.00

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 13,000 lbs

(722)

$2145.00

Demco Premier Series Custom Mounting Brackets for 5th Wheel Above-Bed Base Rails

(3)

$69.85

Demco Premier Series Above-Bed Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Hitches

(2)

$300.01

Question:

I have the 2016 Ford F150 Supercrew with 5.5foot bed. I believe that the cab to axle distance is 28inch ish. I am looking for the lightest fifth wheel hitch since I will be taking it in/out. Does the Andersen work possibly with the Sidewinder also, and if not, what is the lightest fifth wheel hitch?

asked by: Dan B

Expert Reply:

My first choice for a 5th wheel hitch system, in a 5.5 foot pickup bed, where weight is a concern, would be the B&W # BWRVK3200 Fixed 5th Wheel hitch and # BW39FR Base rails, paired with a Reese # RP61422 5th Airborne Air Ride with Sidewinder. This assumes you have a number 1621 pin box bolt pattern. (If the four digit bolt pattern number is different let me know and I can pick one that will match with your pin box side wings.) The hitch base weighs 95 pounds and the top coupler section weights 52 pounds. If you use the B&W with a Sidewinder you will need a king pin wedge to prevent rotation at the king pin. The B&W # SWW-06 custom wedge will work well.

You asked about the Anderson 5th wheel hitches. They will not work with a rotating pin box like the sidewinder, nor will they work with a 5-1/2 foot truck bed. I also considered “slider” hitches (hitches that you manually slide toward the truck gate when wanting to back in at an angle) but they are also not recommended, as the bed it too short to slide it backwards enough.

The 5th wheel hitch that will give the most clearance (22-1/2”) is the Demco # DM8550040 13,000 pound model. (The higher weight rated Demco units have less clearance.) You will additionally need a Demco # DM8552006-71 base rails kit. This will pair with your existing pin box. However the base weighs 260 pounds and the head weights 65 pounds.

I feel that you should also carefully consider your truck's Payload Capacity and GCWR when making a decision about your trailer and hitch equipment.

expert reply by: Les D