Community Forums

RichPal · 08-19-2008, 10:56 AM

I'm not a 5'r yet but I'm on my way. I recently bought a 2006 Dodge 2500HD 4x4 short bed and I need to know what weight hitch to get and what is the most reliable brand to get? I have access to a used Reese 20k hitch as soon as I get him to sell it. Will that be a good buy or over kill for what I need. I'm planning to get no more than 31ft trailer

RichPal · 08-19-2008, 10:56 AM

I'm not a 5'r yet but I'm on my way. I recently bought a 2006 Dodge 2500HD 4x4 short bed and I need to know what weight hitch to get and what is the most reliable brand to get? I have access to a used Reese 20k hitch as soon as I get him to sell it. Will that be a good buy or over kill for what I need. I'm planning to get no more than 31ft trailer

Hitchhiker · 08-19-2008, 02:03 PM

A used Reese 20K should be fine, you may not need that much capacity but if the price is right it should work fine. Check the minimum and maximum pin height specs and compare to your trailer's requirements.

Some of the higher weight capacity hitches don't have a minimum height spec as low as a 15K or 16K. Shouldn't be a problem, just be aware before you plunk down your money.

Something else to think on, since you're towing with a short bed, you might want to consider a slider to be able to clear the trucks rear cab on sharp turns.

FiverBob · 08-19-2008, 03:22 PM

Listen to Richard - - don't buy anything but a slider hitch with a shortbed. Not worth the worries and I can almost guarantee you will smash the cab somewhere if you get a regular hitch.
Bob

Ray,IN · 08-19-2008, 04:52 PM

A short-bed pickup demands a sliding hitch. They cost more, but then again, compare the cost of a slider hitch to replacing/repairing your truck cab, and 5th wheel trailer, when you make contact.

TXiceman · 08-20-2008, 03:02 AM

Lots of folks pull a 5er with a short bed and a fixed hitch. And so far they have not managed tohave the trailer hit the cab or rear truck window. Someday they will make contact.

There are a few 5ers that have the front corners cut back to provide a bit more room on turns, but even with them, it is possible to hit the cab with the trailer.

When we were towing a 5er, and tha lon bed truck, we seldom got to a point where we had the rig close to a 90 degree angle, but I never worried about contact.

The short of it is to:
1. have a long bed truck.
2. have a slider hitch, either manual or an automatic slider like the Pull man.

Ken

RichPal · 08-20-2008, 02:23 PM

Thanks Iceman, I picked up the hitch for nothing. It hasn't been used in 5 years. I plan to refurbish it. I did test a short bed truck with the trailer series that I'm interested in and did several right angle turns, I missed the cab by 4"

RichPal · 08-20-2008, 02:25 PM

Thanks for the information. I did try a short bed truck with the series trailer that I'm interedted in and missed the cab by 4". A hitch for free requires at least a try.

RichPal · 08-20-2008, 02:28 PM

I have to at least try the free 20k hitch. It hasn't been used in 5 years so it is going to require a little refurbishing, as the last issue of Trailer Life has a section on just that.

RichPal · 09-01-2008, 03:37 PM

Ooops, new at this. Didn't know that an answere to one, all see. Oh well usse and learn. I was given the Reese 20K hitch, which I restored like new for $12.95 and Reese sent me all the lables for nothing. The 5th wheels that I am looking at all have the tappered front cap and an extended pin box, soooo there should be no problem towing or backing and my local 2 RV centers both agree. So it's off to the 5'r group