Well, about to get back in the RV market. With the way my job is and such, a house is not a viable option for many years. So i've researched the topic alot and have decided I am going to live it the scutter. Now comes my true question. I have a headache rack and 5 inch stacks. (Measures 16 inches from back of cab to clear the stacks) I already have a B&W turnover installed and was looking at the Companion hitch to just drop in, slide it back to its farthest setting and go. Is anyone out there running something like this and have any clue on how much clearence is involved with such a hitch??

(And yes, I understand that there will be soot on the camper regardless of tuning. Thats why they invented sponges and soap:rolleyes:)

First, I don't have anything like this so this is all part of the thinkabout part.

I personally don't think you will have anywhere enough room to turn any degree of tightness with that much space consumed. My newest 5er has recessed corners which is a great improvement over the last 5er I had, but that won't help you.

I also think you are asking for some trouble with running with the fifth wheel so far back, although I have driven 500 miles in "Maneuvering" postion with my shortbed.

If you had a longbed, maybe, but I just don't think you have the space with the CCSB.

looking at the Companion hitch to just drop in, slide it back to its farthest setting and go.


Unless you're getting a really small 5er with a light pin weight this is a bad idea - hanging that much weight at the very back of the truck and then driving that way not going to be a good combination. There's a reason fifth wheels hitches sit right over the axle - high pin weight compared to a ball hitch.

I've never owned a slider hitch (never needed one) but I wouldn't be surprised that they are specifically restricted from doing this - they are quite likely structurally designed hat they must be in the forward position at highway speeds.

Well, after I wrote this, I found a V-Nose model that fits me and I really like the floorplan. Forest River V-Cross 305VRET. Believe that would give me alot more room for turning. Best thing is that my pops has a V-Nose XLR (made by Forest River and looks to be the exact same v-design like this one), so I can back into it and do some measuring.

Guess my next question would be if anyone could snatch a measurement for me. On a B&W hitch setup (Turnover ball with Companion fifth wheel), where in relation to the hole in the bed does the center of the pin on the camper rest? I dont have the hitch yet, but want to make sure everything will fit as I do not want to purchase a different system as I love my turnover ball.

The companion hitch has some up&down, forward&back adjustment, but the pin should sit a few inches forward of the rear axle.

It is pricey, but you may want to check into the Superglide hitch made by Pullrite.

Hey 99Freightliner,

The Pullrite SuperGlide 18K will move the pin back 14" in a tight turn. With the right coach it may work fine. For towing the pin should be over or slightly(1 to2"'s) ahead of axle. Directly over axle will give most clearance and not take too much weight off front end, as it would if you towed with pin behind axle..

Regards, Hamshog

Thanks for the intel guys. Measured an XLR by Forest River on my truck last night with little bro's help. My goose ball sits around 2 inches forward of the center of the rear axle. For rough measuring, we centered the center of the pin over the ball. Even at a 45 to 50 degree angle, I still had 17 inches of clearance between RV and stack. Now, this thing is designed alot like the V-Cross I am looking at, so I believe I should be fine. Thanks for the help though!

Bringing this one to life based on new intel.

According to a very knowledgeable source, the V-cross line of campers are junk right now.

So now it's back to the drawing board.

Been looking at the Wildcat's and really like the construction of them.

The superglide hitch...how does she mount in the bed? I obviously have the B&W turnover ball already installed and would this new hitch required its removal?

The Super Glide should fit with the B&W. There are 4 seperate frame mounts I could take measurements of my Super Glide for you.

The Companion to the B&W ball hitch is likely the more economical way to go.
You could also look at a pin box extension to set the trailer back a bit more.
Even then, IMHO you may be lucky to get a 45 degree cut into the trailer with the truck/stacks. But a bit of planning BEFORE you get into a tight spot goes a long way to avoid problems.
I have a manual slider and have never used the slide part. Easier to take a wide turn than move the 5th.
Don't run a heavy 5er set behind the drive axle....it will push you straight though a curve on the road :mad: .

But a bit of planning BEFORE you get into a tight spot goes a long way to avoid problems.

Go checkout some of the stories over at RV.net about cab damage (crunched corners and busted rear windows) to hear how the "Plan ahead" situation works with 5'ers with restricted clearances.

It'll work 95% of the time...but that 5% where you forget or botch the turn will end up being REALLY expensive.

Just a thought, what if you just get the fifth airborne with the sidewinder.

That would move the pivot point 20" back from the hitch "under the trailer".

Damn glad you brought that sidewinder to my attention. Still going to cost a bit more since I would also have to buy the Companion for my B&W, but would not have to drill more holes and my crap to my already heavy truck.

Thanks for the intel guys! Don't know what i'd do without ya'll....

Might contact B&W to see what they think about the Sidewinder being used with their hitch. Believe they will say "not compatable"

I wonder why exactly. I don't see that much difference in the plate as with any other hitch. All the Sidewinder does is add a plate/bushing behind the pin to keep the pin box from turning at the hitch.

Just did some more research on this topic.

B&W does not reccomend the use of the sidewinder with the companion. However, Colibert makes a fifth wheel that uses the B&W turnover system and can be used with the winder. Some have even stated you can run two half inch bolts through the back of the companion's plate to deter any additional stress the winder may cause.

Believe i'll order a Colibert and get a Sidewinder for the trailer. Seem to be alot of positives out there on it. If it gets wild, I've fabricated pull hitches and gooseball mounts on other trucks before and they are all still holding....

Final result: The Sidewinder WILL WORK with the B&W

Installed the hitch the other night and added two 1/2 bolts to the very rear mounting pads on the hitch to keep it from twisting. Also added large brackets underneath the bed to aid in distributing the torque of the bolts to the bed.

Towed the whole shooting match home last night. Towed great and it clears the headache rack/stacks very easily. I made around a 60 degree "test turn" at the dealer and still had 10 inches of room to play with.

BTW, the 5'er is a 2010 Wildcat 2010 31TS. I believe the nose cone does play a part in room, but whatever. It's hooked up and very much towable.

Nice looking trailer. Glad it all came together for you!