I agree, remove the boxes before going to pick up the trailer.
There are other side access type tool boxes that set below the rail tops. They are called 'pork chop' boxes or 'wheel well' boxes and shouldn't interfere with a fifth wheel, if mounted in front of the wheel wells. I-Delta, Weatherguard, and others sell them.
Flip these around the other way and mount them in front of the wheels, so the pin box doesn't hit them when turning.
A 36" wide jobsite type gang box or bed rail height truck bed chest can then be mounted across the back of the cab, in between the pork chop boxes, for lots of secure storage space in the bed of the truck, while pulling the trailer.
I am sure you will have to remove the toolboxes from the bed of your truck I have a 2005 F-250 and had to remove all my toolboxes before I could safely pull my 5er
SoCalDesertRider wrote: I agree, remove the boxes before going to pick up the trailer.
There are other side access type tool boxes that set below the rail tops. They are called 'pork chop' boxes or 'wheel well' boxes and shouldn't interfere with a fifth wheel, if mounted in front of the wheel wells. I-Delta, Weatherguard, and others sell them.
Flip these around the other way and mount them in front of the wheels, so the pin box doesn't hit them when turning.
A 36" wide jobsite type gang box or bed rail height truck bed chest can then be mounted across the back of the cab, in between the pork chop boxes, for lots of secure storage space in the bed of the truck, while pulling the trailer.
Even those would get in the way of my extended pin box on sharp turns. Really sharp turns I have to watch my rails and the back of the pin box for contact.
I have a straddle mounted tool box with the thin (about 1 1/2 in) over the rails.
I have not had a problem with it, but would have in a really 80 to 90 deg. turn.
The 5ver would hit very easily. I suggest what the others have recommended.
thanks guys, i picked it up today. Looks like I can easily add a cross mounted low profile box up front. I have never towed a 5th until today. It tows smoother than my travel trailer and better fuel mileage, but is somewhat herky-jerky on panic stops and acceleration from a stop. I expected this though. Seems much better as far as watching for swaying too, virtually no sway at all. Too bad about taking up so much bed space
Yeah they don't sway much at all, very relaxed drive. That herky-jerky on stops could be your controller setting or brakes not braking ahead of TV. You'll learn to roll into the skinny peddle from a dead stop. The king pin does have a bit of slop inside the jaws.
I too have the low profile box up front which works fine for me.
Enjoy
One thing that took me awhile to get used to is the king pin slides forward when you stop quickly. Then when you take off it slides back ever so slightly but enough to startle you with a clunk if your not used to it. You get used to the different noises when towing the fifth over time. All in all I don't think I would go back to a travel trailer...except maybe one of those new ones that look like a fiver inside without the high stairs getting in and out.
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