Community Forums

TwoDog · 06-08-2016, 06:37 PM

Hey all!
Needing a truck soon and was looking at all kinds of big diesel duallies for the job.
Has anyone towed a 5th wheel around with a utility bed? I see some util beds that definitely come up too high...but it seems that if I went with a utility bed that didn't come up higher than a normal bed, I should still have the default amount of room between the bed and the edges of the trailer.
Is there another consideration that I am missing or does that sound reasonable?
Also....can you have a hitch installed at different heights to allow for taller bed heights? I know there's a hard limit there, but just wondering if anyone has had to install risers or something to get their 5th wheel hitch a few more inches of height

Any direction most appreciated.
Thanks!
Dave

MnTom · 06-08-2016, 06:47 PM

I don't think I have ever seen a fiver towed with a utility box. The side compartments are way to tall to work, but if you mean a flatbed on a pick up, then yep, it is certainly doable. You just need a low profile hitch. Something like this:

1bigmess · 06-08-2016, 09:38 PM

You can literally do almost anything you want with a vehicle if you just know the right people and have enough money?

MtnTrek · 06-09-2016, 12:54 AM

Utility bed like a service truck with side toolboxes? hmm

Generally on the newer trucks, lack of height has not been the issue. Most manufactures have raised frame and bed rail heights. At times getting a level ride height (fore and aft for axle load) on a 5'r is getting to be a challenge. Some 5'r builders are now offering frame risers to accommodate the new truck lift. Combined with taller full height trailers and accessories there is sometimes a concern with overall height limits. Continue to do your research.

A hauler's bed would be $weet if you add another $8k to your C&C order.

Best of luck.

SmokeyWren · 06-09-2016, 09:23 AM

Look into a Knapheide Westerner Storage Body. It's basically a service body with the height of a normal pickup bed. They make them for both a chassis cab with 60" CA, as well as for a pickup as a replacement for an 8' pickup bed. Any decent truck body shop should be able to sell you one and install it. (look in the Yellow Pages under Truck Bodies).
In the link below it's called a gooseneck hauler, but you can also make it into a fifth wheel hauler.
Knapheide Westerner Storage Body

I doubt anyone makes anything like the Westerner for a pickup with less than an 8' bed.

charliez · 06-09-2016, 11:12 AM

I don't see why you couldn't. A full sided tool box bed, maybe not, but a flatbed type to the half tall tool box bed like what was shown should be no problem. I've seen those with gooseneck balls in them. You could easily get the goosneck to 5/er rail the etrailer sells then set your hitch right on it. All hitches and pin boxes are height adjustable and between the two, you will have alot of adjustment to work with.

I did see not too long ago, a guy had a body shop custom cut the back part of his Dodge pickup bed down and close up the holes that were created by the dual sidewalls. It looked like they did a good job and it would work but as Dr Phill said, I'd rather be stuck in a phone booth rubbing an alligator's south side with sandpaper than drive that thing.