Is a slider hitch required on GM short beds?

I don't think GM makes a short box on the 3500. Thats why I was forced to buy a ford

Required? No. On my 8th year towing with a 2500HD and no slider - and no busted window.

With the extended pin boxes on todays 5ers, you really have to crop it tight to get close to your window. If you could see the force and stress placed on their tires, axles, and wheel bearings, there is no way you would put your trailer in that position. JMHO. Good luck, Mike

Mr N

You are gonna get all the nay sayers on this site. We are dually and slider folks. :S

Do you think you are ever gonna need to do a 90 degree jack back. There is no way in hey that I think any kind of a pick up will keep up with that kind of jack in reverse.

I been able to do it with an ole cab over International, but never close to that angle with a pick up.

Required? --- NO

Rear Window Insurance --- YES

Had a short box for five years. Used the slider maybe three times. When you need it, you need it.

N-Trouble wrote:
I've read several posts now stating that GM trucks have a longer distance between the back of the cab and the rear axle vs Ford or Dodge. Is there anyone out there towing with a late model GM short bed that does not use a slider and can still hit 90* without worry of hitting the back of the cab? I assume each trailer and king pin length combination will also factor into this.

I would doubt GM is any different from Ford or Dodge but cannot say for sure.

A slider is not required on any 6.5 bed but it is a security if you should ever put yourself in a position that you need to slide your fiver.

Some of the newer 5th wheels design the front nose cap to better accommodate turning radius to prevent contact but this is subject to the mounting of the hitch, vehicle cab design and the specific 5th wheel.

Be careful with extended pin boxes. When a 5th wheel is straight behind a truck the extended pin box is providing the full length of protection against contact.

As the vehicle turns, the 5th wheel itself will get closer and closer to the cab and eventually contact unless - understand this - the pin box is about 1/2 of 72" (width of the TV) long to put the 5th wheel outside the TV.

Good friend towed his 5er with Chevy 2500 CC short bed and no slider. Knocked out the back window on tight turn while backing in, but still much less than 90 degrees. That 5er had extended pin box but did not have the contoured front corners.
He bought a newer 5er with extended pin box and contoured lower front corners. Gave him much better turn radius but still not 90 degrees. But he was just careful not to turn too tight and managed OK.

Matchipat wrote:
Agree with previous post. I love my Sidewinder extended pin for my GMS short bed.

I've looked at the Sidewinder but I have concern that it will put extra stress on the trailer pin box. Think longer wrench handle...

Agree with previous post. I love my Sidewinder extended pin for my GMS short bed.

Truck is a 2012 GMC 2500HD and trailer is an Eclipse Attitude 28AKLG which I believe uses a Lippert 1116 Pinbox

with a 6 1/2' bed and a regular extended pin box, having a slider is an excellent idea .... one exception is, if the 5er has a Reese Revolution Sidewinder pin box.... the Revolution even works with a 1500's 5' 6" bed

Jim