I read alot about different types of fifth wheel hitches and very seldom do i see the sliding bar hitch mentioned. Why is this? I have used one for 8-9 years and have not had one problem with it. You know when you are locked in by the forward movement of the handleplus it would be very hard to high hitch one.

Same can be said for gooseneck adapters for fifth wheel trailers. I have friends that have used them for many years without issues. So long as it works for you...thats what counts.

the slide bar can be bent so manufacters are getting away from them.i use to have a little rocker never had any complaints

I rank hitch types as follows:Slide bar: Generally found on lower cost hitches. Can be rather noisy because pin is not held as tight as other hitch types.Double Jaw: Generally found on mid priced hitches. Quieter and better riding as it holds tighter than the slide bar type.Single Jaw: Generally found on higher priced hitches. Quietest and better riding since the jaw completely surrounds the pin.I think all three are safe. The problem I have with the slide jaw is that the bar is straight and the pin is round. That puts contact only on one small part of the pin and bar rather than more evenly distributed for better wear.

Although it is a secure latch once pushed in, it is sorta old school. As mentioned, it has a single point of wear on the bar and can be noisier after it wears some. And seems most of the newer hitches are spring loaded self latching, rather than require you to manually latch them. When the handle slams in you know it is latched. And the design of the two I have had with a wrap around latch would make high hitching almost impossible. Some still require manually inserting a pin to make sure thay can't come unlatched by themselves. But being spring loaded and sometimes a detent or catch, that is not likely.

BB_TX wrote:Although it is a secure latch once pushed in, it is sorta old school. As mentioned, it has a single point of wear on the bar and can be noisier after it wears some. And seems most of the newer hitches are spring loaded self latching, rather than require you to manually latch them. When the handle slams in you know it is latched. And the design of the two I have had with a wrap around latch would make high hitching almost impossible. Some still require manually inserting a pin to make sure thay can't come unlatched by themselves. But being spring loaded and sometimes a detent or catch, that is not likely.My bar hitch is self latching. Mine is getting a little worn and loose after 5 years so my fix is two minutes with a welder and two minutes with a grinder. Done, like new.;)

Sliding Bar fifth wheel hitch | Good Sam Community

Homey_B
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
Itching2go wrote:

Only minor annoyance is that after chocking and putting the landing gear down, I'll frequently have to put it the TV into reverse and 'idle back' in order in order to take the tension off of the slider bar. Othewise it's difficult to retract the slidebar. No big deal... just part of the routine.

I have the Curt 20K hitch (dual jaw), and was having an almost impossible time getting the jaws to release. Once a friend suggested that I do this move (either forward or backwards, as long as it's the opposite of the direction you were just going in), getting the hitch open is no longer an issue.

YMMV, of course.
mr__ed
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
My hitch has the sliding bar you mentioned. After hooking up I like to view the bar to be sure it has slid all the way across the kinpin. Then I'm assured the pin is being held securely and not very likely to become unhitched during travel. It's a good idea anyway to perform a "pull test" after hitching up by lowering the landing jacks until they just clear the ground and pulling forward slowly. This way, if the fiver detaches from the hitch you may avoid damage to either the fiver or the truck.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Sep 23, 2013
Makes us feel like the Maytag service tech!!!! Chris
orlandimal
Explorer
Sep 23, 2013
I use a Reese 15k pro series slide bar slider hitch with no problems and it was only $470 delivered from Ebay. I can deal with a little chucking on a few rough highway bridges by saving $500-1,000.
badbob1
Explorer
Sep 23, 2013
Love my RBW Lil Rocker never any trouble and not much noise. Find if I chock the trailer wheels and back up enough to relieve any pressure on the bar handle pulls and release is easy. Simple hitch and never any trouble and not way over priced.
cummins2014
Explorer
Sep 23, 2013
Greentreena wrote:
The slider bar is noisy but I've never heard of someone dropping their 5th wheel thinking it was latched with this set up. When the bar is across you are hooked up 100% every time. Not to say I don't do the pull test: I still do but it is a great chance to also check the trailer brakes.

This holds true with any hitch if you visually see the bar across, or the clam shell closed or the jaw wrapped around you are hooked up.
Itching2go
Explorer II
Sep 23, 2013
Thats_Ok wrote:
We had the RBW Lil-Rocker for a long time.
I'll say I never was happy with it because I found it difficult to pull the handle for unhitching.

With our new set-up I was talked out the Pull-Rite and into a Husky 16K slidebar head.
I'm not sure why, yet it is very easy to pull the handle to de-hitch.

I'm happy with the Husky because it didn't break the bank and fit on my original rails.

X2 from my experience. Simple, and easily checked for high-hitching. Only minor annoyance is that after chocking and putting the landing gear down, I'll frequently have to put it the TV into reverse and 'idle back' in order in order to take the tension off of the slider bar. Othewise it's difficult to retract the slidebar. No big deal... just part of the routine.

Now if I could just remember to put the tailgate down... :)
deleted-2
Explorer
Sep 19, 2013
We had the RBW Lil-Rocker for a long time.
I'll say I never was happy with it because I found it difficult to pull the handle for unhitching.

With our new set-up I was talked out the Pull-Rite and into a Husky 16K slidebar head.
I'm not sure why, yet it is very easy to pull the handle to de-hitch.

I'm happy with the Husky because it didn't break the bank and fit on my original rails.
alboy
Explorer
Sep 19, 2013
18K Hijacker autoslider, no slop ,has an adjustment bolt, probably a 1/8 wear in 40000 plus miles,really simple system.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Sep 19, 2013
Ezbagr wrote:
I read alot about different types of fifth wheel hitches and very seldom do i see the sliding bar hitch mentioned. Why is this? I have used one for 8-9 years and have not had one problem with it.
You know when you are locked in by the forward movement of the handle
plus it would be very hard to high hitch one.

Maybe it is like tires, one just reads about the failures! Sliding bar hitches do not have very many failures, so no press!

Chris