Short Bed Truck with Andersen Hitch and a 312BHX

[eohlin]

So...we have a 2016 Wildcat 312BHX Fifth wheel...absolutely love this camper!!

We currently have a '12 Ford F250 long bed truck for pulling with the 6.2 Gas. I also have bed rails and the Anderson Hitch installed.

I love the setup for camping and towing...but I get about 4 hours of driving before I have to refuel, and the truck is a pain to drive around as a daily driver due to the long bed!!

I'm thinking about selling the truck, upgrading to a diesel and changing to the short bed. I'm really open to Chevy, Ford or Dodge. I'll also go with a 1 ton this time. I've had my setup weighed, I'm right at my limit when fully loaded. I'm sure with the additional weight of the diesel, I'd be over on truck weight.

Here's the question: Can anyone tell me if I can make a full 90 degree turn with the wildcat, on an Anderson hitch, in a short bed truck?

I'd hate to sell my truck, to find out in the spring I can't make a tight turn...and I need to, just to get it swung around in my cul-de-sac to get it backed into it's spot at home!

Appreciate the help on this one!!

Thanks,
eric

[KRSmitty]

I have a 07 Ram 2500 5.9 CTD short bed. My previous RV was a Jayco 32' 5er. I also used the Andersen hitch setup.

With the hitch installed "normally" I could cut around 80*, not quit 90. But never ran into the situation where it hampered me.

I assume you know that with the Andersen you can turn the hitch around (for short beds) and the hitch (ball) will be back further in the bed about 12". Sort of acts like a slider type hitch...where you should be able to get the full 90*.

I was not able to use that setup though due to the extended king pin box on the Jayco. I could not close the tail gate because it would hit the box. I do believe it would have worked ok with a 5er type tail gate.

But, with your 5er you may be ok.

[cavie]

Check out the new GMC Canyon 2.4 Turbo diesel. 7500 lb towing.

[Learjet]

I can go to @ 75 degrees with my signature rig. I have the B&W hitch adjust to the aft setting, which puts it directly over the axle.

When I was looking at the anderson, I calculated I still wouldn't be able to go to 90....But I don't NEED to go to 90

[Semi-Retired]

I use a Demco Autoslide Hitch with my F250 Platinum Super Duty which has a 6 1/2 ft bed. I pull a 41' 5th wheel. You can make a 90 degree turn with about 5" to spare.

Autoslide | Demco Products

[Eric_S]

I looked at the Anderson, but opted for a Demco Autoslide with an under bed rail system. It allows for more than 90 degrees on my short-bed Ford. It automatically moves the hitch-pin back as much as 14 inches to allow for tight turning or when backing up or maneuvering, without having to get out and fuss with it. When not needed, four pins disconnect the hitch, and I have my full (short) bed available without the (in-bed) rails in the way.

[clicker1944]

Originally Posted by cavie

Check out the new GMC Canyon 2.4 Turbo diesel. 7500 lb towing.

Pulling a 5th wheel with a mid size truck did I miss something is it April fools already?

[eohlin]

Just to be clear...I already have the anderson hitch, I've been towing with my current F250 Long bed - it works great, love how well it pulls...now I'm just considering changing to a short bed truck with a diesel.

I don't really want to change to a different hitch.

I do appreciate all the feedback though....thanks guys!

eric

[Stovebolt]

There is no way a Canyon will tow a 5th wheel.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by eohlin

Just to be clear...I already have the anderson hitch, I've been towing with my current F250 Long bed - it works great, love how well it pulls...now I'm just considering changing to a short bed truck with a diesel.

I don't really want to change to a different hitch.

I do appreciate all the feedback though....thanks guys!

eric

If you switch to short bed, and you don't have an auto slider or sidewinder, you will have the possibility of hitting your cab. Just one more distraction to have to watch out for when you should be concentrating on backing up. Sounds like you should think about staying with a long bed

[clicker1944]

I have an Andersen and a short bed no problems. I do take a peek on tight turns just to be sure, never can be too careful only takes a second to get out and take a look.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by clicker1944

I have an Andersen and a short bed no problems. I do take a peek on tight turns just to be sure, never can be too careful only takes a second to get out and take a look.

Until that one time......... . I actually did that for years with a short bed and standard hitch until I got the sidewinder. I was amazed at the relief that not having to worry about any turn brought me.

[eohlin]

Clicker...do you have a wildcat as well?

I know the wildcat front cap is scalloped out for tighter turns...not sure how much that helps with the anderson.

Also - do you run with your anderson hitch setup to have the ball to the back or front of the hitch?

On my long bed...I run it to the front.


I agree...the long bed is great, until you have to hit the grocery store, or run the kids to the mall!! LOL

thanks again!!

eric

[clicker1944]

I have a 34' Shasta Phoenix. I tow with the ball rear.
I have a Reese Revolution pin box but put the lockout bolts back in, you don't want the swivel if you are using the Andersen.

[Electra glide]

Here's my video with a 2015 Chevy 2500HD crew cab short bed 4x4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNaL58c6JKg

[hbillsmith]

I have a GMC 2500HD diesel double cab which as a 6.6' bed. Had I opted for a Crew Cab, the bed is only 5.5' bed. I run with the Andersen Ultimate and I've swapped my standard flip ball for a Curt Extend ball. The extend ball moves the Andersen 4" towards the tailgate and gives me a little more cab clearance room. I can make a full 90deg. turn on reasonably level ground (parking at a slant unlevel would be a problem so I don't do that). I too created a youtube to explain. The video was originally just a simple unbox video and I later added the discussion about dealing with a short bed. My audio is rough and its a long 23 minutes, but if you can make it to the end, I think I cover all your questions. It's here: Andersen Unbox and Reverse Mount

[Electra glide]

Originally Posted by hbillsmith

I have a GMC 2500HD diesel double cab which as a 6.6' bed. Had I opted for a Crew Cab, the bed is only 5.5' bed. I run with the Andersen Ultimate and I've swapped my standard flip ball for a Curt Extend ball. The extend ball moves the Andersen 4" towards the tailgate and gives me a little more cab clearance room. I can make a full 90deg. turn on reasonably level ground (parking at a slant unlevel would be a problem so I don't do that). I too created a youtube to explain. The video was originally just a simple unbox video and I later added the discussion about dealing with a short bed. My audio is rough and its a long 23 minutes, but if you can make it to the end, I think I cover all your questions. It's here: Andersen Unbox and Reverse Mount

Does this option only work with the double cab and not the crew cab? I would really like to be able to make a tighter turn when trying to back into spots and my current set up will not allow it. My bed is the 5.5 length.

[hbillsmith]

In my case, I reversed the pin adapter (this put the trailer 8" closer to the cab) and then I added the Curt Extenda Ball (this moved the trailer 4" back toward the tailgate) so the net for me was these mods put me 4" (8" minus 4") closer to the cab than the standard install and in my 6.6' bed I'm fine. Your bed is 13" shorter than mine. If you use the extenda ball but do not reverse the kingpin adapter (which is most likely how you have it installed now) your trailer will be 8" (13" minus 4") closer to cab than mine is. When I make a full 90deg. turn (which is pretty rare by the way) I only have 4" to 5" of cab clearance. So I guess my answer to you is that your Andersen will not give you full clearance in a 5.5' bed. Sorry. You might want to give Jason at Andersen a call to ask if they have a mod to their hitch that could help.

[eohlin]

Thanks to everyone who's responded to this point.

Special thanks to Bill Smith - you have really been able to answer many of my questions in that video.

I have to say - I was really hoping to see you all hooked up and backing up into a 90* situation, just for the satisfaction of seeing it.

Again at Bill - how are you payload wise with the 2500 Duramax and the Wildcat you have? Have you weighted your setup?

thanks again!!

Now I just have to really decide if I want to part ways with my F250 King Ranch!

Eric

[hbillsmith]

Originally Posted by eohlin

Thanks to everyone who's responded to this point.

Special thanks to Bill Smith - you have really been able to answer many of my questions in that video.

I have to say - I was really hoping to see you all hooked up and backing up into a 90* situation, just for the satisfaction of seeing it.

Again at Bill - how are you payload wise with the 2500 Duramax and the Wildcat you have? Have you weighted your setup?

thanks again!!

Now I just have to really decide if I want to part ways with my F250 King Ranch!

Eric

I weighed the truck with a full tank and my family on board. Then I've weighed a couple of times since while the trailer was mounted. The attached file has the weight summaries. Everything is under vehicle specs with the single exception of Truck Payload. The 2016 GMC 2500 diesel has a GVWR of 10,000#. When loaded for travel, my CAT for the truck comes in at 10,080# or a little less than 1% over. That 80# is coming from the trailer pin weight but the percentage pin to trailer is still 17% to 21% depending on how you do the math (pin to trailer OR pin to trailer+pin).

As for backing up at 90deg. I did it once in a parking lot when I was first setting up and then I've done it maybe twice at sardine-packed Arizona resorts. Each time, I did it oh so slowly and kept jumping out to make sure as I inched it back. Sorry but I didn't think to take pictures. BTW, our trailers have sculpted front noses and though 90deg is cautious but rare, 70deg to 80deg is pretty normal and the clearance is much better.