Forum Discussion

stopthevoices77's avatar
stopthevoices77
Explorer
May 01, 2013

Superglide killed my inner child! Slider or Sidewinder?

Last summer I took my Weekend Warrior LE3305 camping in the Jemez Mountains. Long story short, I forgot to spray WD-40 on my superglide before I came back and it self destructed. The hitch bound and tried to pull the king pin out the top of the hitch. I was stuck on the side of the road with two babies and a pissed off wife for 6 hours. Pullrite was great and sent me a new hitch pretty quickly. The problem is now that I cannot get past the previous failure and a couple of other glaring issues... I adjust the jam nut every time I use the hitch but it starts to clunk about 50 miles down the road. In addition, it uses up every square inch of the bed and even takes a bite of the tail gate every once in a while. So, I am selling the replacement hitch and looking at options...
Given the trailer that I have (which is 102" wide) should I go with the Sidewinder or a standard sliding hitch? Price is not the primary concearn. I just don't want to be stuck on the side of the road with a miserable family again.
  • kzspree320's avatar
    kzspree320
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    Sorry to hear that stopthevoices77. I find it strange that your first post as a new member was about this, since most of us with superglides have no trouble. This must be a one in a thousand occurance. I have to believe really poor maintenance must have been the primary culprit. Unless some cargo in your truck bed shifted and something significant and metal jammed between the way tubes or hitch head and and would not allow the hitch to return to position. You do need to give some thought with truck bed cargo so cargo does not shift and interfere with the superglide hitch operation.
  • 07PSDCREW's avatar
    07PSDCREW
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    Wow, that's crazy! I have a manual slider. I don't mind when it is time to use the slider to jump out, remove a pin, pull fwd a bit and then back my trailer in. I've only ever used it in tight spots in the CG's I have an older trailer that's wide up front with no reliefs and I have no issues. That really sucks your hitch "Kerploded"!
  • stopthevoices77's avatar
    stopthevoices77
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    Beaker wrote:
    "2. WAYS/GLIDE TUBES {D1}: The Ways (or Glide Tubes) should be liberally lubricated
    each day of use. It is essential that you use a medium duty grease on top and inward
    facing sides of Way Tubes. WD-40 or Silicone spray is NOT sufficient. We
    recommend using Slip Plate which can be ordered from your local distributor/dealer
    or direct from PullRite Towing Systems. Clean the old grease off as needed and
    reapply. Move the 5th wheel assembly back and forth during lubrication to spread the
    lubrication along the ways. This will also lubricate the turntable shaft. When your trip is
    completed, be sure there is still a coating of grease on the Ways to protect them while the
    hitch is not in use. Failure to properly lubricate the Way Tubes WILL eventually cause
    galling between the metals of the Way Tubes and the Cam Arm Assembly which
    WILL result in the failure of the hitch to work properly. Destruction of some of the
    various hitch parts is also likely and will NOT be covered under the manufacturers
    warranty."


    Not saying the Superglide is good or bad, but the above is why I went with the Sidewinder.
    Lubricate every day? Not for me.


    By its self that is not a huge issue for me. However, you also have to contend with the following:
    Its so heavy that you need an engine hoist to get it out of the bed.
    You have to hit your kingpin with in about a 10 degree angle to hook up.
    You can only tow a trailer with a capture plate, so no moving anyone else's trailer.
    It takes up a lot of bed space.
    The jam nut has to be adjusted constantly to keek it from clunking.
    There are issues with it failing if you turn really tight.
    And last but not least, mine freaking kerploded and royally screwed up what was other wise a great trip!
  • 2112's avatar
    2112
    Explorer II
    May 02, 2013
    Good read! I bought a superglide 15K just last week. Now I know what I'm up against. I'll follow this thread with interest.

    Thanks
  • ford_truck_guy's avatar
    ford_truck_guy
    Nomad
    May 02, 2013
    I just picked up 4 cans of slip plate from Grainger...I believe after discount they were in the $5.00 each range ?? I also just tore down my entire setup and sanded to metal...I have no problem spraying before each trip for the piece of mind I have while towing...
  • Beaker's avatar
    Beaker
    Explorer
    May 02, 2013
    "2. WAYS/GLIDE TUBES {D1}: The Ways (or Glide Tubes) should be liberally lubricated
    each day of use. It is essential that you use a medium duty grease on top and inward
    facing sides of Way Tubes. WD-40 or Silicone spray is NOT sufficient. We
    recommend using Slip Plate which can be ordered from your local distributor/dealer
    or direct from PullRite Towing Systems. Clean the old grease off as needed and
    reapply. Move the 5th wheel assembly back and forth during lubrication to spread the
    lubrication along the ways. This will also lubricate the turntable shaft. When your trip is
    completed, be sure there is still a coating of grease on the Ways to protect them while the
    hitch is not in use. Failure to properly lubricate the Way Tubes WILL eventually cause
    galling between the metals of the Way Tubes and the Cam Arm Assembly which
    WILL result in the failure of the hitch to work properly. Destruction of some of the
    various hitch parts is also likely and will NOT be covered under the manufacturers
    warranty."


    Not saying the Superglide is good or bad, but the above is why I went with the Sidewinder.
    Lubricate every day? Not for me.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    May 02, 2013
    Bird Freak wrote:
    Everyone here know the main ingredient in WD40 is Fish OIL?
    Now if it was whale oil that would be some good lubricant ;)
  • kennethwooster's avatar
    kennethwooster
    Explorer
    May 02, 2013
    It's mechanical so I guess anything can happen. Owner error, or it just brakes down. I have the one that uses slip plate. I have it torn down rignt now to clean, sand, and reapply slip plate. I would like to have the newer one, but the slip plate does the job as long as I do what I'm suppose to do. Last year I did not take it apart, but just put on the slip plate. I knew it should be looked at and sand out all grooves.
    Sorry for your problems. Strange problem!!!!
  • JohnBoyToo's avatar
    JohnBoyToo
    Explorer
    May 02, 2013
    butchfuzion wrote:
    The manual portion which was posted clearly says WD 40 is NOT sufficient.


    That may be true for older hitches....
    and what year manual was posted ?

    I just called pullrite and they say any of their superglides mfg from 2009 on should use wd-40 only.

    that's the beauty of our country, I can use what I want and you can use what you want... no matter HOW wrong you are :) :) :)
    just kidding... (but I am right for MY hitch!)
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    May 02, 2013
    stopthevoices77 wrote:
    Sorry, I did not specify. I turned a corner onto the highway. The hitch did it's job and moved the camper away from the cab. It hung up on its way back towards the front of the truck when I came out of the turn.
    Sounds like the front block was out of adjustment or came loose to jam the cam arm assembly.
    It is all speculation after the fact. I would try to determine the issue but still use the SG hitch.

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