SuperGlide Hitch

Learjet wrote:

lowfly wrote:
I dented my cab from a sharp turn in a brand new short bed truck this weekend. Too little to late but what do you think of the SuperGlide hitch? Do they really slide automatically. I don't mind spending the money if they really work and are good quality. Do the jaws work easily also? Thanks for any advice.

Just wondering...could the damage have been avoided by pulling up a little to reduce the angle? or did you find yourself in a spot that you got trapped in?

Trying to understand, this is from a fellow RV'r using a SB with no slider. I can crank my truck pretty good before it gets close...but wonder how this happens. distraction or really bad turn?

Thanks,

In my experience I would say it's pressure, not distraction or bad turn. I made a wrong turn that lead down a road that kept getting more and more narrow and the tree canopy started closing in. As soon as I was able I pulled to the left lane and started to back into a driveway with a metal gate and brick mailbox post and landscaped sides. It was very tight and and as I was doing it people started to squeeze by the front of the truck because they couldn't wait 30 seconds. It's under conditions like this that things get forgotten and an oops occurs.

I also pulled into a lot that was previously used as a fast food place with no through lane in back. It wasn't as much of a hurry but I was holding people up. A few quick tight jogs and I was out.



With normal maneuvering it's easier to keep your mind on everything that's going on. When the pressure is on that's when stuff is forgotten or pushed a little too far. The price of the hitch was sickening but never having to remember is priceless.

Through my mechanical career I have found that the less stuff that has built in things to watch out for the better. I dont put it all in the "idiot proof" category either because anyone can forget at some point given enough time.

Learjet wrote:

lowfly wrote:
I dented my cab from a sharp turn in a brand new short bed truck this weekend. Too little to late but what do you think of the SuperGlide hitch? Do they really slide automatically. I don't mind spending the money if they really work and are good quality. Do the jaws work easily also? Thanks for any advice.

Just wondering...could the damage have been avoided by pulling up a little to reduce the angle? or did you find yourself in a spot that you got trapped in?

Trying to understand, this is from a fellow RV'r using a SB with no slider. I can crank my truck pretty good before it gets close...but wonder how this happens. distraction or really bad turn?

Thanks,

I too am curious about what brought about hitting the cab. I too have a manual slider ,but have never had to use it on two different trucks, but same fifth wheel. I do use it to back into my RV pad on the side of my house . Its a tight fit , and I want the little bit more turning radius.

As far as automatic slider goes the Superglide is a good choice, but if I was going to change hitches I would go to a Andersen Ultimate Hitch, they have an offset that does not require a slider. Some research on them will tell you how they work. Also a lot cheaper alternative then a Superglide, nearly half the cost.

I am in the process of selling my slider hitch, picture frame adapter, getting rid of all that weight ,and going to a Andersen . I am at a point where I don't want to deal with these big heavy conventional hitches. Do yourself a favor and at least research them.

You will get some positive reviews from the ones that have the Andersen on this forum, they seem to love them. You will also get some negative responses from some on here that have never owned or towed with a Andersen.

Another happy SuperGlide user. Love the wrap-around jaws and positive engagement 'clank'. 16deg angle limitation has not been an issue for us, I've seen others comment it's easy to pull two pins and lift off of hitch if needing to do greater than 16deg angle. I enthusiastically recommend it.

Sorry about your cab dent...

lowfly wrote:
I dented my cab from a sharp turn in a brand new short bed truck this weekend. Too little to late but what do you think of the SuperGlide hitch? Do they really slide automatically. I don't mind spending the money if they really work and are good quality. Do the jaws work easily also? Thanks for any advice.

Just wondering...could the damage have been avoided by pulling up a little to reduce the angle? or did you find yourself in a spot that you got trapped in?

Trying to understand, this is from a fellow RV'r using a SB with no slider. I can crank my truck pretty good before it gets close...but wonder how this happens. distraction or really bad turn?

Thanks,

I have been using mine since May of 2008 and really like the idea of Not having to worry about it !!

I went from a manual slide that I never had to slide to a SG 15 months ago and have never regretted it. I use slip plate on the way tubes and can assure you it slides automatically. Hitching I find to be very easy, there is a definite sound that tells me it's hitched. I was fortunate to find a used one on Craigslist that had never been installed (was easy to confirm) for $500. I would make the change again in a heart beat for the peace of mind.

get a Reese sidewinder pin box

I have an 18,000. It works fine but I have "tuned" it a little. Ive shimmed the plastic/composite blocks along with the head side play. Also replaced the roller and fiber bushing with a sealed ball bearing. You dont need to do these mods, I just wanted to try to get as much slop out of it as possible.

I have been in ugly spots a few times when I needed to get out of others way quickly and was able to do it without worrying. 3500 sb cc with an older 8.5 wide flat front FW.

The worse that I have happen is being off center when hitching up. It will try to turn the head and not engage. It's not the hitches fault, it's mine. I cant see the hitch because my generator box is in the way so I may make an indicator pointer or something to guide me better.

We've had the superglide for years. Recently bought a new one which does not require the grease like the old one did. New ones have some kind of nylon material which only need a bit of wd40 sometimes. A lot less messy.
The hitch (very heavy) works perfectly for us. Cougar fifth wheel with Dodge short wheel base truck. We've never had any kind of problem with the hitch, and it is fully automatic. No pulling of handles to make it slide. Totally hands off operation.

The only thing to be aware of is the limits of 16 degrees off center. If you park more than 16 degrees off straight line, you can't unhitch or rehitch. That's the only drawback to the hitch. We have had one situation which it caused a bit of a problem(retaining walls and trees in a pull through site), but I was finally able to get the camper in there, even though it was parked in an unorthodox way in the site. Alls well that ends well.

If we trade campers, I may opt for one which has the modified cap which allows sharp turns without a slider. That way we can use a regular hitch(lighter) and (no 16 degree limit).