Towing a 5th wheel camper with a 9' flatbed?

[Complete Turf Care]

Late to the party but I have a Reese goosebox I'm selling. We sold our camper and it's just sitting in the garage. Replaces the 5th wheel part completely. Check them out and let me know if that would work for you. We're by Houston and going to Mississippi at the end of the month.

Brett

Reese Goosebox

You will be driving through my town but I'm afraid that hitch won't work because my gooseneck ball is recessed in my flatbed. Thanks anyway.

 

[oliver1555]

You will be driving through my town but I'm afraid that hitch won't work because my gooseneck ball is recessed in my flatbed. Thanks anyway.

A couple of options that may help:

[video]https://www.etrailer.com/Balls/B-and-W/BWHB94006.html[/video]

Trailer Hitch Ball 2-5/16" - Machine Finish - 2" Rise - 3, lbs Redline Balls 2516-112-2

 

[Complete Turf Care]

With all the rain today, I had time to make it to the camper for some measurements.

I think that my bed is short enough that it will not be a problem. The distance from the kingpin to the camper is about 78" and the distance from my ball to the back of my bed is 60" and from the ball to the corners of my bed is about 69", so I don't think that will be a problem.

However.....as the camper sits now, the bottom of the 5th wheel plate on the camper is 41" off the ground. My truck bed is also 41" off the ground. I'm afraid that if I get a 16" adapter, I won't be able to tow the camper in a level position.

And, I'm afraid that if I get an 11" adapter, the camper won't clear my toolboxes.

As the 5th wheel hitch is on the camper now, there is about 11" of clearance between the bottom of the hitch plate and the bottom of the camper. There is room to move the 5th wheel plate down about 1", which would give me about 12".


I never imagined that this would be so complicated.

My wife just reminded me that I do have another 3/4 ton F250 that I could just mount the regular 5th wheel hitch into. The camper comes with all the hardware for the regular 5th wheel hitch.

 

[Rustyiron]

My wife just reminded me that I do have another 3/4 ton F250 that I could just mount the regular 5th wheel hitch into. The camper comes with all the hardware for the regular 5th wheel hitch.

Them dang women:laughing:

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I see a lot of flat beds in campgrounds with the corners cut off.

Ron

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Well.....I had another brain fart while sitting in my deer stand over the weekend.

I also have a F350 with a 12' flatbed. When I got home today, I measured that I have about 60" from the ball to the back of the bed and about 72" from the ball to the corners of this bed.

Earlier, I had measured about 78" from the kingpin back to the camper. If I'm measuring correctly, this would give me about 6" of clearance when making turns with this truck. And, there are no toolboxes or anything to worry about on this truck. It's just a flat bed.

I'll keep everyone updated as this saga continues.

 

[powerscol]

Not to rain on the parade. Does the front of the 5er angle forward as it goes up? If so check the clearance there. Worst situation is going over a sharp rise (tail of trunk moving up) and in a turn. I have seen a lot of 5ers with damage to the underbelly of the overhang, and dented truck bed corners as they did not have clearance between the 5er and truck bed. I have 8" and that is not enough at times (I have the dents on the overhang too). Also the other part that will interfere is the truck bumper or hitch.

So measure carefully at the angles .

BTW I doubt you would get into you tool boxes with the trailer as the front sits behind the king pin. only chance would be at a 90 degree jack knife, and you can prevent that.

Hope this helps

OOPS - I just noticed in the picture of the king pin housing. There appears to be bad damage to the wiring on the back side of the king pin. Take a look - this is the primary wiring bundle and can be an expensive fix if I see what I think I see.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

OOPS - I just noticed in the picture of the king pin housing. There appears to be bad damage to the wiring on the back side of the king pin. Take a look - this is the primary wiring bundle and can be an expensive fix if I see what I think I see.

I think what you are seeing in the pic in post #33 is grass from a bird's nest that was built up in the housing. If you look back in an earlier post (#23) the wiring seems to be intact.

And thanks for the advise.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Picked up one of these today in the 15" size today. eazlift

My local trailer dealer said I could bring it back if it doesn't fit.

Also priced some new tires for the camper. $90 each for the radials. Not bad. I'm gonna try to go get it Saturday morning.

There was a Chevrolet 3500 pickup at the trailer dealer so I measured the height where the gooseneck ball would be in that truck and it's about the same height of where mine is in my flatbed Dodge. That is encouraging news.

 

[powerscol]

I just run LT tires on my trailer - better construction that trailer rated SE tires.