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Old 08-13-2020, 03:12 PM   #41
Kebees42
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I kinda knew that but couldn't think of a place big enough to test. I just wanted to know capabilities in case I get into something tight. Some people on here basically said I couldn't turn a corner in a city setting without blowing out my back window. I've always had TT in the past. I feel a lot better now about it.
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Old 08-13-2020, 05:10 PM   #42
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Originally Posted by Kebees42 View Post
I haven't tried that yet. I have to do it with tailgate down because in the back position the pin box hits the tailgate.
With the tail gate is down be aware of the clearance of the corner of the tail gate and the front compartment.
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Old 08-13-2020, 05:36 PM   #43
Kebees42
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With the tail gate is down be aware of the clearance of the corner of the tail gate and the front compartment.
That's my next worry. I talked to b&w and they was aware of it. It it had 2" less slide it would probably be good.
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Old 08-13-2020, 06:10 PM   #44
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If you learn to use what is often called the “swoop method” you will never need to even think about an angle of more than 45 degrees when backing. Saves the RV spring hanger brackets and welds along with the tires...

Setting yourself up to back in makes the entire process easy and way less stress on the equipment
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Old 08-16-2020, 09:17 AM   #45
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My setup

I have a Doge Ram 2500 CDT SB SWR to pull our Keystone Cougar 25res. I have an Anderson gooseneck to hook up with, and they told me I have plenty of clearance for turning.
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Old 08-18-2020, 06:22 AM   #46
MikeRP
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Originally Posted by Kebees42 View Post
You answered my question. I also have a B&W slider. One more question is when hitch is in aft position do you have trouble with contact to the tailgate or do you put it down. If you put the tailgate down does it clear RV in turns?
I have the B&W slider. Once in a Walmart parking lot in Naples Florida on my first trip south, I had a problem. This was a unique Walmart that obviously didn't want trucks or Rv's. Anyway on a sharp turn out, I turned to sharp and the drivers side trailer tires caught the curb, this allowed the trailer to lean into the top of the cab. It was above the window but cost me $1000 to repair my 2018 Ram 3500 CC. I did not slide the hitch unfortuantely.

I use it all the time now. Put some white lithium grease on the rails. It slides easier. B&W didn't recommend that when I first bought it, but they are now and I talked to one of their engineers. Slides very easy.

So with the slide in the maneuvering position, slid I guess you'd say, I always put my tailgate down and i can jackknife 100% not hit the cab and not have a problem with the tailgate hitting the fifth wheel, not even close.

The problem I ran into leaving the tailgate up is the rear of the hitch is only about 2 inches above the top of the gate. One time, live and learn, on a weird camping spot where to back in, my truck's nose was pointed down and the fifth wheel rear was pointed down the other way, the back of the hitch hit the top the tailgate. Just scraped the plastic.

So I hit a parking lot and quickly learned I can leave the gate down when I slide the hitch. I slide it everywhere its tight now.

Good luck!
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Old 08-18-2020, 06:23 AM   #47
MikeRP
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Originally Posted by ChuckS View Post
If you learn to use what is often called the “swoop method” you will never need to even think about an angle of more than 45 degrees when backing. Saves the RV spring hanger brackets and welds along with the tires...

Setting yourself up to back in makes the entire process easy and way less stress on the equipment
Nice diagram!
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Old 08-18-2020, 06:54 AM   #48
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I saw 2 inch clearance between truck tailgate and bottom of the fifth wheel cab. You should have 5 - 6 inch clearance. Hitch needs to be raised. Also never maneuver the trailer with the truck tailgate down..............how do I know?...........I learned that the hard way.
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Old 08-18-2020, 09:50 AM   #49
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I saw 2 inch clearance between truck tailgate and bottom of the fifth wheel cab. You should have 5 - 6 inch clearance. Hitch needs to be raised. Also never maneuver the trailer with the truck tailgate down..............how do I know?...........I learned that the hard way.
Yes I have 6 inches plus, but in the maneuvering position, the back of the fifth wheel pin box, is just over the gate and about 2 inches higher.

And yes I would have agree on the tailgate down. But the way my trailer is made and the short bed of the truck. You literally have way more room that you can imagine, like feet. I’d say at least 2 feet at the narrowest position between the fifth wheel and the gate down when jack knifing.
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Old 10-12-2020, 06:11 AM   #50
Brazo
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5th wheel hitch

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Originally Posted by Kebees42 View Post
I would like to hear some of your knowledge of towing a fifth wheel with a ram short bed. I am purchasing my first fifth wheel so not sure what to expect for turning radius during forward travel. Are 90 degree turns at intersections create any problems with can clearance? I getting a B&W Patriot manual slider for a hitch.
I have a B&W Patriot 18K slider and I have a 2019 Ram 2500.Have a 28SGS 2015.Have no problem with 90 degree turns-with the slider I can back in rv into spot with tailgate down and not hit rv with tailgate.
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Old 10-12-2020, 08:32 AM   #51
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It's a 6.4 with 3.73 gears
I have the same but a long bed. Thats a good powertrain. To bad fca didn't offer bigger gear sets then the 4.10. The 6.4 likes the higher rpms then the 6sp keeps it in. They did right by putting the 8sp in the 2500 wish i had one. Do not cheap out on the oil for the hemi use the pup with a molly additive or the blue label red line. That will keep that start up clatter(if you have it) and ticking at bay. Also long idle times is something the hemi does not like. Sorry i got off track here but that info is a must for the hemi's long life.
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Old 10-12-2020, 12:54 PM   #52
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I also just purchased a new keystone cougar 29 rks 5th wheel. I have a f250 short bed and I did purchase an auto slider hitch. With it I have no problems with tight turns. However, the only time I have found having to do a 90 degree turn is when I’m backing into my driveway.
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Old 10-12-2020, 04:26 PM   #53
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I have the same but a long bed. Thats a good powertrain. To bad fca didn't offer bigger gear sets then the 4.10. The 6.4 likes the higher rpms then the 6sp keeps it in. They did right by putting the 8sp in the 2500 wish i had one. Do not cheap out on the oil for the hemi use the pup with a molly additive or the blue label red line. That will keep that start up clatter(if you have it) and ticking at bay. Also long idle times is something the hemi does not like. Sorry i got off track here but that info is a must for the hemi's long life.
I went from a 12 2500 CTD to an 18 2500 6.4, 4.10 and 2.5 years latter went back to a 19 3500 CTD. I tow around 9200-9500 lbs and live in Oregon. While the 6.4 is a good motor the 6 sp ruins it big time. The gear spacing is terrible.
I wouldn't want to to more than 7000 lbs with one if in the mtns.
My 19 Cummins is an absolute jewel compared the the 18 Hemi. Plus mpgs went up a lot.
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Old 10-13-2020, 01:57 AM   #54
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I went from a 12 2500 CTD to an 18 2500 6.4, 4.10 and 2.5 years latter went back to a 19 3500 CTD. I tow around 9200-9500 lbs and live in Oregon. While the 6.4 is a good motor the 6 sp ruins it big time. The gear spacing is terrible.
I wouldn't want to to more than 7000 lbs with one if in the mtns.
My 19 Cummins is an absolute jewel compared the the 18 Hemi. Plus mpgs went up a lot.
Yea you got to go 4.56 or 4.88 with the 6sp. It sounds like a lot but its really not with that trans.i had to stick with gas for the payload.
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Old 10-15-2020, 10:04 AM   #55
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I pull the rig in my signature with a Curt E16 non sliding hitch and have never encountered any difficulty at all. I can turn almost 90 degrees if needed and my truck is a 6.5' bed
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Old 10-16-2020, 12:26 PM   #56
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We are purchasing our first fifth wheel. And the dealer is pointing me towards a Blue Ox. Any one have any experience them?
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Old 10-16-2020, 12:32 PM   #57
Camping family
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I pull mine with a super glide 5th wheel hitch with auto slide.
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Old 10-16-2020, 01:20 PM   #58
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We are purchasing our first fifth wheel. And the dealer is pointing me towards a Blue Ox. Any one have any experience them?
I loved my blue ox wdh, now I love the anderson ultimate.
P.S. Anderson is half the price and less than half the weight.
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Old 10-16-2020, 01:55 PM   #59
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I loved my blue ox wdh, now I love the anderson ultimate.
P.S. Anderson is half the price and less than half the weight.
Thanks, I actually was looking at the Anderson, but they seem to be on backorder everywhere. After researching the Blue Ox, it looks like a nice setup. Was looking for some feedback from someone who has used one.
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Old 10-16-2020, 09:11 PM   #60
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I used to have the Andersen, switched to the Pullrite 2600 single point connection. Same idea as the Andersen coupler is flipped from the Andersen with the ball side on the pin box and funnel on the hitch. Both hitches are about the same weight, 60ish lbs. I like the Pullrite for a couple of reasons, steel ball, spring loaded locking pin instead of the push cable, and much smaller footprint for storing. Also has the offset like the Andersen, but you have a choice of a couple different configurations which can eliminate tailgate clearance issues.
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