Newbie to Fifth Wheel

[MrBill]

Hi,
I am considering purchasing a Rockwood 8265 fiver and I need some advice. I intend to tow with a 2008 Ford Supercrew short box with the 5.4, the tow package and 3:71 rear. I have installed Timbren overloads. The truck did fine with my previous camper, a Rockwood 8315 tt, although I used an Equalizer hitch. It is not economically feasible for me to replace the truck at this time.
I would really like to have a fifth wheel and the salesmen tell me that if I order the 5er with a factory installed sidewinder hitch I would be fine. Is there anyone familar with this product? I could sure welcome some real world experience and advice. Thanks in advance, Bill

[Bama Rambler]

From looking at the specs you might not be real happy with the performance but it doesn't look too bad for the TV you have.

The Sidewinder hitch is a personal choice there are lots of people towing a 5er on a short bed. Be sure to check with Forest River because in the past they voided the frame warranty if you used an extended hitch adapter.

[Mowat]

A slider hitch like the superglide would be a much better option. I tow with a shortbed with the superglide works great.

[kvtaylor]

Another option is the Reese Hitch with a slider for the short back end. We did that with our GMC 2500 Crew Cab. Never had a problem. it had the short bed.

[EdJunior]

Is your Ford a F-150 or F-250? If F-150, is the short bed the 5.5ft or 6.5ft? If it's the F-150, while the specs may bear it out, you are very likely to not be happy with the towing. Maybe if you only do short trips to local areas that don't involve many hills or mountains, but even then, the F-150 is just not really made for 5th wheel towing. I've seen enough of them, and some people are happy with it, but I'm just saying, an F-150 will struggle, for all it being a good truck.

If it's an F-150 with the 5.5ft bed, I wouldn't even consider it at all.

[skylarcamp]

I have a 2010 8265s with the reese sidewinder hitch, which was factory installed. I tow it with my 05' Nissan Titan ( 5.6' shortbed ). The truck tows great and the hitch works perfectly. I haven't had any problems.

[phoneman06]

To me the superglide hitch is not worth the $1000 difference. They both serve the same purpose. Neither one of them is going to tow any different. As far as your tow vehicle, the 5er falls below your tow rating. It will depend on how much cargo you carry. It doesn't look like there was much difference in the weight of your TT and the new 5er so if you handle the TT okay then the 5er should be fine and will even pull easier. I just did the samething you did. I went from a TT to a 5er. The 5er weighs about 600-800 pounds more then my TT did, but pulls a whole lot easier. I couldn't believe the difference.

[Mowat]

The superglide is about 1500-1600ish with all the components.

The sidewinder is 800-900 for just the pin. Then 400-600 for the 5th wheel hitch itself.

The price is a wash. Just depends on your preference.

[phoneman06]

The sidewinder is only $400 when ordered from the factory on a new 5er so it will still cost you 200 to 400 more for superglide and you are not gaining anything. You also gain some cargo space in your bed because you don't have to worry about king pin box hitting anything because it does not move.

[dambrino]

What about the load rating on your tires? I am in the process of having a Curt 5th wheel hitch installed, but am now concerned that i will have a sidewall blow out unless i get some e-rates tires. Just something else for you to consider.

[mack1roc]

i have to agree with skylarcamp i had a chevy 1/2 ton and towed a 8265 just fine with no problems. i did not get the greatest of gas mileage but i was legal and safe. I did have a reece hitch with the slider option (wich i only used once in a tight fit at a nascar track)