How do I set up a 5th wheel hitch without a trailer?

[64mary7]

Problem: I have a F350 crew 4x4 longbed.

I want to buy a used 5th wheel and a hitch. I will probably buy the trailer from a private party.

How can I make sure the trailer I buy will work with a hitch I don't yet have. This is a catch 22, chicken or egg situation.

Are there some measurements or rules I can use to figure this out? Any advice or links would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

[64mary7]

Problem: I have a F350 crew 4x4 longbed.

I want to buy a used 5th wheel and a hitch. I will probably buy the trailer from a private party.

How can I make sure the trailer I buy will work with a hitch I don't yet have. This is a catch 22, chicken or egg situation.

Are there some measurements or rules I can use to figure this out? Any advice or links would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

[powerboatr]

what year f350 , single or dual rear wheels and engine and gear ratio

most of the hitches made in the last 12 years will work with 99% of the fivers made in the same time frame


you first need to establish your tow capacity, then buy the hitch to accommadate that capacity.

just winging it,
but if you have a 2004 or older f350
you max rated tow is going to fall somewhere between 12k and 13k depending on axle and engine, provided you dont exceed the max combined gross weight.
if your f350 is an 05 or 06 it changes 12-16k based on axle, engine combinations
hope it helps

[Stylin']

I'm not sure what number you'll come up with when you figure out the weight limits for your truck, but I would think that a 15K or 16K would probably be a safe hitch. Check out the classifieds both here and at dieselplace.com, as they turn up frequently. I'm using a 16K Reese double pivot towing about 10K.

[Frankenstien]

I think what 64mary7 was referring to...
The Best recomendation I can give is to st the hitch as high as you can... this will ensure there is room for bed and angle clearence. If your hitch is easy to adjust try to bring the proper tools to adjust once you hook up. You will find also that most 5ths wheel pin boxes Raise or lower by removing 4 bolts, and relocating to predrilled holes, this will allow you to match the pin to the hitch, I recomend getting the trailer and truck on level ground (IE Parking lot) then set your self up to be as level as possible. You may find later... after feeling a bit more comfotrable with your rig, and hitch that you may have to adjust one way or the other to help eliminate "hop" or other issues. I hope this help.... if we didn/t address your ???... let us know.... Good Luck and Happy Trails!!

[Skip298]

I have a 2004 F350 srw diesel..short box..I have the husky 16K pivot slider..I noticed that on level and flat ground that my trailer appeared to be nose down..I measured its distances from the frame to the road on all four corners..I found that there was 19" at the front and 22" at the back..I raised my hitch in the truck by 2 notches, which should equal 2" and bring the rig to level all the way...Is this going to affect towing? how? I only made the change because I saw so many of the same hitches with different height positions, and I was told that the optimum towing position is to have the unit level...thanks

[Ray,IN]

Visit the Reese website and read about your specific vehicle's hitch requirements. Most 5er pins are near 47" high, it's easy enough to measure your prospective 5er's pin height. Now for Skip298, you were given correct advice, trailers will/do tow better when level. An unlevel condition places more weight on one of the tandem axles, and upsets the small amount of aerodynamics designed into the trailer.