Is a slider hitch worth the extra money?

SB Dodge Mega cab, Heartland trailer, fixed hitch. Never an issue.

I have a Dodge Megacab, super short bed, now with two big dents in the cab! Finally, I replaced the pinbox on my 5er with a SWINGER by Reese.. Moves the pivot point back about 23" on my rig. Can't recommend it enough, I can go beyond 90 degrees with it.

I have the Pullrite Superglide and yes it does cost a little bit more but there has been several occasions that it surely saved my back window. You can always say just be careful when making a corner if you don't have a slider but it is the situations that you make quick decision that is going to be the trouble. I missed a corner once and decided at the last minute to turn around in a small parking lot and if I had not had my Superglide which is an automatic slider I would have definitely knocked my back window out. The cost for 1 rear window repair would justify the additional expense up front.
The excellent part of the Pullrite Superglide is it is TOTALLY AUTOMATIC you don't have to do anything.

You can see with extended pin boxe and rounded cap, it is very difficult to hit the cab.

I have a slider for the last 11 years with SB Chevy 2500HD and have not used it once. In my driveway, I have to load and park the 5th wheel at near 90 deg angle and have to be very attentive. It will take out my back window if I'm not careful but I'm careful.

I have the Reese manual slider and it is a pain to use. For mine, you effectively have to drop the legs to remove some weight from the hitch when at extreme angle (when you realize you may need the slider). I've experimented with backing into my driveway with the slider extended and the trailer definitely responds quicker to the maneuvering, which can be helpful in tight spots.

I like the idea of the auto sliders but for their price, I've elected to just get really good at being attentive while backing my rig.


Phil

RustyJC wrote:
Extended pin boxes do not change the width of the 5th wheel. If 1/2 the width of the 5th wheel is greater than the hitch kingpin bore centerline to cab distance, then contact is a given at (or possibly before, depending on front cap configuration) 90 degrees. The slider moves the hitch kingpin bore centerline rearward, so it provides additional clearance at 90 degrees that the extended pin box does not.

Rusty

Some may be confusing extended pin boxes, which just move the 5th back, but retain the same pivot point at the hitch, with extensions like the Sidewinder that actually move the pivot point. With the first Rusty is right on. With the second, it's like your bed is longer and the hitch was further from the cab.

What is bad is to get crafty and install your hitch further back to give you the space - all sorts of bad things effecting load carrying and rig handling will result, so don't try it.

A slider hitch is only good if you use it.I have dents on both sides of the cab. (I'm a slow learner) I have a Reese manual slider and while it slides fairly easily you have to get out and engage it. If my 5er had the radius corners I would have been fine. Good luck, OP'er.