Turning F150 Towing Rockwood 8289

[Darross]

Bought our first 5th wheel last fall. It was delivered and I picked it up and put into storage before the snow flew. I will be picking it up next weekend to bring home so we can get it loaded with our gear and get set for another year of camping.
I'm looking for feedback on the turning radius from other owners. I have a 2015 F150 w/6.5' box. I have a Curt hitch and wondering if I'll be able to turn at a 90 ' or close to it without changing the pivot pint to the pin box (with Sidewinder hitch).
Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[Iggy]

With a 6.5' box I don't think your present mount will be able to turn 90 degrees without hitting your truck cap.
Now if you had the sidewinder it will work in your case with a 6.5' bed.


Hopefully someone here has a short bed that can answer your question.
Here is a link to a place you can ask that question.
https://www.etrailer.com/Fifth-Wheel...e/RP61420.html


At the bottom of the page it has a formula and shows how to check.
It also has pictures. lol

Good luck

[Big Rig]

I have a 8265 that I used to pull with a 6.5 bed and always used the sidewinder option. Why wouldn't you use it if you already have it? Never had a problem with the key. The only reason I changed trucks is because towing it with a half ton felt unsafe.


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[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Big Rig

The only reason I changed trucks is because towing it with a half ton felt unsafe.

You don't say. I wish more people were as smart as you.

Bruce

[B and B]

Same Trailer and had a 2013 F 150 with a 5.5 ft box. Could do 90 degrees with sidewinder. You will need it with a 6.5 ft box.

[Skyliner]

I towed my 5th wheel with a 1/2 ton and never felt unsafe. It did just fine but what I didn't like was the fact that I had little to none spare cargo carrying capacity. My fiver weighed 7300 lbs dry which was well under the vehicle's tow rating. That darn pin weight will getcha every time on a 1/2 ton.

[GreenImp]

I tow an 8289ws with a 6.5' bed...no slider and the Revolution is locked. I can't say that I can do 90°, but I can maneuver the trailer anywhere I wish. Frankly, I find all the marketing hype about turning a 5th wheel 90° laughable. You don't see the TT crowd worried about turning 90°. And our 5th wheels are naturally more maneuverable anyway (pivot point further forward).
Remember...SB trucks w/5th wheels don't dent cabs....DRIVERS of SB trucks w/5th wheels dent cabs.

[HAMMDOWN]

I have a Toyota Tundra w/ 6.5' bed pull the 8289 w/ revolution hitch locked no problems

[RangeMaggotBob]

[QUOTE=HAMMDOWN;1181793]I have a Toyota Tundra w/ 6.5' bed pull the 8289 w/ revolution hitch locked no problems

You're a brave man HAMMDOWN.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by Iggy

With a 6.5' box I don't think your present mount will be able to turn 90 degrees without hitting your truck cap.
Now if you had the sidewinder it will work in your case with a 6.5' bed.


Hopefully someone here has a short bed that can answer your question.
Here is a link to a place you can ask that question.
https://www.etrailer.com/Fifth-Wheel...e/RP61420.html


At the bottom of the page it has a formula and shows how to check.
It also has pictures. lol

Good luck

X 2 you will hit at 90 degrees without using the revolution, get the correct wedge for your hitch

[RetirededTX]

My Rockwood (8280SS) would hit the cab on my F-150 Extended Cab w/SB, so I had a Reese 16K slider installed. I've only had to use the slider twice since I got the trailer in 2006 and I quickly learned that you do it on level ground!! 90° is needed very seldom, and with my Rockwoods original axles it put too much stress on the torsion axle swing arms and ruined one of them (after the warrantee expired of course).
I replaced the F-150 with a Dodge MegaCab 3500 SRW with a 6.5' bed, and have only slightly better turning clearance, so the slider's still there, just in case, but with a little planning I rarely need more than about 70°. The new axles I installed are MUCH stronger than the originals.
Hope the info helps.

[HAMMDOWN]

Hey I just returned from a 2000 mile round trip from Bowling Green Ohio to Carrabell Florida and back I had no problems even thru the mountains. Toyotas are one of the best towing vehicles and its made in AMERICA

[5er_tom]

I do not understand why one would lock a sidewinder/revolution hitch.


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[HAMMDOWN]

It is locked @ the 5th wheel plate so it swivels At the camper

[5er_tom]

I understand. But the intention of that design is to swivel at the trailer providing extra clearance to short bed trucks. When locked it defeats the entire purpose.


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[5er_tom]

Whoops, re-read your post. Yes, locked at the king pin, swivels at the trailer.


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