Will B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Hitch Provide Enough Turning Clearance in 2004 Ford F-250 Short Bed

Expert Reply:

For a short bed truck like your 2004 Ford F-250 to tow a 5th wheel and still give you reasonable turning clearance you need either a 12-inch sliding hitch like the B&W Companion # BWRVK3400-5W and matching install kit # BWGNRK1108-5W, OR you will need to replace your existing pin box with a Sidewinder pin box and use a fixed hitch. A Sidewinder provides 22-inches of additional turning clearance by moving the pivot point for the trailer back from the hitch head to the rear of the pin box.

The linked article includes a cross reference to allow you to check whether there is a Sidewinder replacement pin box available for the one on your trailer. A Sidewinder simply bolts up in place of your existing pin box to give you more turning clearance. They are available with or without an Air-Ride air spring. For instance, if you have a Lippert 1621 pin box you can use 5th Airborne Premium 5th Wheel Air Ride King Pin with Sidewinder # RP61422.