Forum Discussion

drillagent's avatar
drillagent
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013

Do I really need a sliding hitch?

I know there are probably lots of opinions on this topic, but that's what I'm looking for. I need the pro's and con's. And I've already heard the "which would you rather pay for, a slider or new truck cab" mantra. I'm hoping for more ideas.

We went to our local Camping World and we met some very nice people. When the topic of sliding hitches came up, we were basically told we really won't need it because we won't have to turn that much.

We have a 2012 F250 diesel Crew Cab short bed SRW. I've already crunched the numbers and figured that it would tow the Montana Mountaineer 375FLF with the 79 degree turning radius front cap that we want to purchace in the near future. So here are my questions.

In what situations will we need to go beyond 79 degrees?

Do we really need 90 degrees of turning radius?

Besides the possibility of going beyond 79 degrees and crushing my cab, why else would we need a sliding hitch?

Any and all info is welcome and appreciated. Thanks.
  • M_GO_BLUE1's avatar
    M_GO_BLUE1
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2013
    I answered about the sliding hitch...but do you really plan on towing that large of a fifth wheel with a 3/4 diesel truck????
  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2013
    Never pulling forward, but backing up and turning either into a camp spot or on the street/parking lot, the last thing I want to worry about is whether or not I'm going to hit my cab. My focus is entirely on the maneuvering.
  • Atom_Ant's avatar
    Atom_Ant
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2013
    Many other factors involved - length of pin box and where hitch is mounted.

    I retired our slider when I went to this rig. It has the radius front and a trailair tri-glide hitch which added almost 6" to the length of the pin box. (since then we got a dually, but had an F350 CC SRW SB last month)

    If you're just not sure, get the Reese hitch that will take the Kwik-Slide slider that you can add later if you find you need it.
  • Uncle_Jasper's avatar
    Uncle_Jasper
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2013
    Not really necessary for most newer fivers. You'll likely be able to turn 90°. That said, have the dealer provide and install superglide as part of deal. That's what i did.

    Easy way to test, measure (string works) distance from pin to furthest part of front cap. Take string and center in truck bed where pin would be when hitched. Pull radius around bed near cab. Note your comfort with the distance and your accuracy level, then make decision from there. Could save you 1-1.5k.
  • johnrbd's avatar
    johnrbd
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2013
    The issue will most likely come up while trying to back into a tight site. If you are EXTREMELY CAREFUL you can avoid crunching the cab.

    Question is - "Do you feel lucky?"

    I installed a slider because the difference in price vs repair to cab. Also, at the end of a long day towing, you (at my) brain doesn't not always function up to normal. I tend to make "little" mistakes - crunching the cab I would not consider to be a "little" mistake.

    Consider this - I had an extended cab, not a crew cab, and trying to "eyeball" the distance between trailer and cab can be difficult.

    Your truck - your decision - good luck.
  • Traveler_II's avatar
    Traveler_II
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2013
    We've been looking at new trucks and have been asking the same question as you. I calculate that we can turn 65 degrees before hitting. The short box we looked at measured 43" from the center of the hitch to the back window, if half our trailer is a bit over 48" it would hit. A lot is based on the design of the front cap of the trailer.

    We're going to go with a long box for a new truck, just for the reason we have a really good non slider air hitch now that I want to use and why take the chance, if you only need the slider once it's worth it.
  • bpounds's avatar
    bpounds
    Nomad
    Jun 05, 2013
    No one knows if you will ever need to turn more than 79 degrees. So without a slider, you will always have this one extra thing to think about. Isn't backing up stressful enough without one extra thing to worry about?

    Also, just because they tell you it is a 79 degree front cap, that doesn't guarantee you'll get 79 degrees with your particular truck and hitch. Could be more or less.

    Personally, I have a long bed, but if I didn't, I would want a slider of one sort or another.

    I don't know how you crunched numbers and came up with that F250 handling that very large fiver. You didn't ask about that, so I will just wish you luck.
  • amandasgramma's avatar
    amandasgramma
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2013
    Yes -- on short beds, YES. You never know (nor does CW) when you might have to make a super sharp curve/turn. Better safe than sorry. Look for one on the 2nd hand market.......
  • M_GO_BLUE1's avatar
    M_GO_BLUE1
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2013
    Do I really need a sliding hitch?

    Do you really need to replace the back cab window should it get busted out because you turned to tight and didn;t have a sliding hitch?

    You know the answer to both...

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