Forum Discussion

bowler1's avatar
bowler1
Explorer
Jan 01, 2018

Sliding Hitch: Do I need one???

I am looking to move up to a 5th wheel in the near future and will need to get a new truck as well (probably a new Ford F-350 diesel). I am still torn between a long and short bed truck. The long bed has plenty of practical advantages, but the short beds are more readily available around here and would seem to be a lot easier as a daily driver. The 5th wheel I get will be a brand new one so it will have the rounded front design of the newer trailers. The companies I am leaning toward is either Open Range or Jayco.

So if I do get a short bed truck with one of these trailers...do I need a slider hitch? That is a negative point against a short bed truck for me.

I have read some posts that say that you really don't need a slider hitch with the newer 5th wheel campers. Seems reasonable, but I would hate to find out the hard way that I need a slider after putting the nose of my camper through my back window.

Of course I could just go with a long bed truck which will have much appreciated extra cargo capacity and other advantages, but I am not sure if the extra 1.5 feet of cargo space will outweigh the added parking and maneuvering challenges I will experience while using it as a daily driver which will be 90% of its use.

thanks for your help

matt
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Jan 01, 2018
    The idea of the new rounded/notched corners is to eliminate the need for a sliding hitch. The trailer mfg or a experienced dealer can tell you if a F350 short bed needs a slider or not.
    Check out the PullRite ISR Superlite hitch rated at 20k lbs or the same type Andersen hitch systems.
    Also a Reese Sidewinder pin box works with a non slider on short bed trucks.
  • Dayle1's avatar
    Dayle1
    Explorer II
    Jan 01, 2018
    I've used 6.5 ft bed trucks for almost 30 yrs towing fivers, before rounded front caps or slider hitches. Still don't use a slider. You don't need a slider, you just need to be aware of the limitation and when necessary, do a little more jockeying back and forth in tight spots. A long bed isn't a guarantee, difference in jack knife angle is 80+ degrees to about 100 degrees. But at any of those steep angles you are twisting the trailer suspension more than moving the trailer.

    If I felt unsure with a SB, I'd probably get the Sidewinder pin box. Less maintenance, weight and space, and helps with backing and tracking in turns.
  • guidry's avatar
    guidry
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2018
    I’ve had both and didn’t need a slider for my short bed. Another advantage to a long bed is a smoother towing and non towing experience. Parking is about the same. I’m happier with the long bed!
  • 4bearhug's avatar
    4bearhug
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2018
    I have a short bed and get along just fine without a slider hitch. Our 5th wheel is 38' to the tips so you do need to be aware of what you are doing as you get into tight spots. I had a slider hitch on our previous truck because I kept hearing that you had to have a slider hitch with a short bed. We towed for two years with that truck and never used the slider hitch once so I decided on the next truck I was going to skip the slider hitch when I upgraded hitches. That was two years ago and I haven't had any issues w/o a slider.
  • pyoung47's avatar
    pyoung47
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2018
    With a short bed, an auto slider such as a Pullrite is much preferred. For everyday use as a truck, a short bed is very limited. Driving/parking a long bed crew cab is a real inconvenience. This is a much debated often trolled subject on this forum.
  • Greene728's avatar
    Greene728
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2018
    Dayle1 wrote:
    I've used 6.5 ft bed trucks for almost 30 yrs towing fivers, before rounded front caps or slider hitches. Still don't use a slider. You don't need a slider, you just need to be aware of the limitation and when necessary, do a little more jockeying back and forth in tight spots. A long bed isn't a guarantee, difference in jack knife angle is 80+ degrees to about 100 degrees. But at any of those steep angles you are twisting the trailer suspension more than moving the trailer.

    If I felt unsure with a SB, I'd probably get the Sidewinder pin box. Less maintenance, weight and space, and helps with backing and tracking in turns.


    Spot on! I have a SB Ram and a B&W Patriot and its great! After about 70-80 degrees your no longer backing up anyways, just jack knifing the trailer. Situational awareness and being aware of your limits is the key! I'm betting you'd be just fine.
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Jan 01, 2018
    WNYBob wrote:
    It only takes one opps to pay for the slider!


    What he said^^^^!
  • Bob_Sue's avatar
    Bob_Sue
    Explorer II
    Jan 01, 2018
    I have the Pullrite auto slide, and am very happy. Being automatic, there is never a doubt wether to deploy or not, it is done on every turn, or backing situation. Also recommend the Open Range. You can visit the owners forum for feedback on the model your looking at.

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,006 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 13, 2025