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08-28-2013, 04:45 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 3
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5'5" shortest bed ram 1500 1/2 ton 5th wheel towing
I have a ram 1/2 ton with a very short 5'5" bed. New to 5th wheel towing. Just purchased a 16 k slider used from husky/valley. Wondering if I will have enough turn radius. Have NOT even purchased the trailer yet, but looking for a 24 or 25 ft. Max length.
Have not installed this yet until I get some feedback here.....any good experience would be helpful.
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08-28-2013, 07:12 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kent, WA
Posts: 1,092
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What's the towing capacity? Most 1/2 tons are able to handle the pin weight. You would be better off with a standard TT below the GVWR of your truck.
__________________
Arnold
2006 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40 PAQ
2017 Ram 2500 Big Horn 6.4 Hemi
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08-28-2013, 07:28 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,311
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Before I retired from Dodge , short box of your length was only in Dakotas . Most people will tell you there are problems towing a 5er with a 6'6" box , both my TV's were that length box.
I'll see what I can pull up , but JMHO , I think your in trouble.
What year is this P/U of yours ?
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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08-28-2013, 07:30 PM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,945
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As noted, you would be better off with a bumper pull travel trailer than a 5er. GVWR and Cargo Carrying Capacity is the problem.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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08-28-2013, 07:32 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Posts: 12,995
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When heavy duty trucks have a short bed they are talking about a 6 1/2' bed. On a half ton truck with just a 5 1/2' bed you will have to be extra extra careful.
Some newer 5th wheels will have the front cap designed with cutouts to reduce the chance of contact with the truck cab.
When you get the 5th wheel find a place to slowly practice backing. A 5th wheel can turn real easy, fast, and shape when backing. Get out of the truck often to check clearance and note the angle.
Good luck
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08-28-2013, 08:17 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,230
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The new 1/2 ton Rams show a 5' 7" bed.
I would contact Reese as they can tell you if the 5' 7" bed Ram and their 16k hitch is compatible.
There are two contact areas to watch out for.
Of course the trucks cab and front corner of the trailer on hard turns. The other is the back of the pin box contacting the trucks tail gate or sides of the trucks bed when in slide position.
Much also can depend on the 5ers front corner profile.
If the manual slider doesn't pan out check with Reese about there "Sidewinder". see the video on their website.
__________________
'03 Dodge 2500 Cummins HO 3.73 NV5600 Jacobs
'98 3500 DRW 454 4x4 4.10 crew cab
'97 Park Avanue RK 28' 2 slides
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08-29-2013, 05:38 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 3
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Thank you all. Yes it looks to be a 5'7" bed (not what the dealer sheet said) and I never even considered the GVWR, because it has a class3 hitch capable of pulling aroun 9500lbs with the 3.92 gears. I think the 2012's have a coil type suspension in back, maybe that is a problem as well as the clearance issues. Thank ou for the concern of it hitting the fenders in the slider position as I never considered tht either. Just thought a 5th wheel would be much easier t tow and due to the length restriction we have I can only get a max 26' to fit in the barn so I thought the overhead area for the bed was a net idea to save space (or give more space). Any other thoughts about this idle winder thingy would be helpful.
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08-29-2013, 04:13 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,454
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Poperob1
I have a ram 1/2 ton with a very short 5'5" bed. New to 5th wheel towing. Just purchased a 16 k slider used from husky/valley. Wondering if I will have enough turn radius. Have NOT even purchased the trailer yet, but looking for a 24 or 25 ft. Max length.
Have not installed this yet until I get some feedback here.....any good experience would be helpful.
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Newer 1/2 tins are capable of towing smaller 5ers, 24' to 25' is most likel doable for a 1500 with out too much trouble.
Payload and pin weight need to be compaired to see if they would fit within the numbers.
__________________
Russ & Paula, Portland, OR. The Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW Aisin 4X4 14,000# GVWR.
2005 Keystone Copper Canyon 293FWSLS Rear Kitchen 12,360 GVWR
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08-29-2013, 04:57 PM
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#9
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,945
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I wonder if the OP will be looking for a 3/4 ton truck before the year is out or will he make it to next spring......
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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08-29-2013, 06:08 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,232
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I doubt you'll have enough room to make very wide turns due to the tiny bed.
We had a 5.5' Ford and talking to Ford, you can't pull a 5th wheel.
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09-02-2013, 07:43 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 3
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Thanks everyone, I decided to not go with the 5th wheel option. Now have a 16K Husky slider on Detroit's craigslist : )
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09-07-2013, 02:51 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ms
Posts: 5
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For several years, I towed a 27 ft Cougar 5th wheel with a 2002 Ram quadcab swb. I never had any issues with towing as the truck was safely within its limitations. However, you will have to use caution when making sharp turns especially when backing the rv. If not, you will be like a friend of mine who tows with a 3/4 ton mega cab. No back glass and a big ole skint mark on the truck and camper. Towing a 5th wheel is doable and it can be done safely as long as you pay attention and take your time. Just my opinion
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