Slider hitch necessity?

Fireman176 wrote:
My truck is not a long bed and wondered if I should sale my 20k Reese hitch and get a slider?

The truck/FW combo in my sig will NOT hit, right or left, when going forward. My Komfort is very square front, not the more modern cut-away cap that most new models have. ALL will hit when backing up; a slider just gives you more room before you DO hit. Every truck/FW combo is going to be slightly different. One thing you can do is to measure from the center of the king pin to the corners of the FW and see if that will hit your cab if the hitch is placed in the recommended position. My Companion is set as far forward as it will go and as high as it will go. According to B&W, that =should= put the centerline of the king pin about 1.5 to 1.75" ahead of the rear axle. Personally, I =have= taken out my rear window when backing into a CG space. Was very early on, 3rd or 4th trip, and I was looking one way and backing the other.

Lyle

I have a slider hitch in my short bed crew cab and rarely use it, but it nice to have when I need it. My camper has a longer hitch on it which helps.

Not familiar with the sidewinder pin box. may need to check into one.

Before I would spend the money for a sliding hitch I would install a sidewinder pin box on the trailer. Never a need for sliding the hitch, or not sliding when you should have.

mileshuff wrote:
Between GM, Ford and Dodge, is there much of a difference in the placement of the rear axle in relation to the rear of the cab? IOW's, how much of the bed is in front of the axle vs. behind for the different truck manufactures?

When I last looked, GM had the longest cab-to-axle length on the short bed 3/4 and 1 ton pickups. (At least between GM and Ford, I wasn't looking at Rams.)

Between GM, Ford and Dodge, is there much of a difference in the placement of the rear axle in relation to the rear of the cab? IOW's, how much of the bed is in front of the axle vs. behind for the different truck manufactures?

Weldon wrote:
I recently changed trucks, 14 F-250 short bed. I can't decide if I need the slider or not. On craigslist there are a number of used one's for sale. Most are without brackets and or bed rails. Is it difficult to use a manual slider? Thanks

I haven't operated a manual but have seen it done and seems pretty easy. You can do some measurements to mock up you rig and get an idea of how close it will be. I'm not being a smart A but if you are buying from CL which I also love to do, buy the slider because you will probably steal it compared to buying it new. It wont hurt to have a slider sitting there if you never slide it. Possibly?

I recently changed trucks, 14 F-250 short bed. I can't decide if I need the slider or not. On craigslist there are a number of used one's for sale. Most are without brackets and or bed rails. Is it difficult to use a manual slider? Thanks

If you already have the tow vehicle with a hitch in it and the fifth wheel you are gonna tow, how come you have not hooked it up and headed for a wally world parking lot.

That was the first thing I did when I got the new in 2010 rig.

You will get the bird's eye view.

Have had a SB Silverado with a PullRite for 2 yrs. Only recall once when the rig turning around panicky when the rig lurched when backing uphill on a curve, hitch automatically slid 5er back and all was fine. A couple other times I looked back a little nervous, but all still good.

Bottom line, I had to pay more up front but have a quality wrap-around hitch that makes me happy and gives me confidence when I pull AND I'm reminded and reaffirmed of my good decision (for me) every time I read one of these threads or see pictures of dented cabs and broken windows.

Good luck with your decision, hopefully you make it once and don't second guess yourself continually afterward regardless which way you go.