My first two 5th wheels were towed by long bed trucks. Way back then short beds were rare. In 2002 I got my first of two short bed trucks and have had NO problems maneuvering while backing. That was until last fall when I put a dent in the top corner of the cab. Fortunately it did not damage the trailer corner. I did some body work and took truck in to have my repair painted, and found out how expensive a problem I created. I decided to look into a slider hitch, and I found out that Reese makes a slider unit upgrade, that I could use all my hitch parts except the upright supports. Come to find out the conversion parts were about 1/2 cost of the repaint job. It was about a 2 1/2 hour job, and well worth the cost to prevent future problems. :)"In response where my dent was". It was at the top of the cab and dent extended across the plastic trim piece.

And we TT owners can't dent too...specially with a hitch mounted bicycle?

We thought we had bad luck... Hubby went thru 2 rear windows that first year when we had gotten our 5'er. Popped both left and right sides out. found out that you have to replace the whole window, not just the panel that was busted, Ford did not have a better idea !!

I always wonder about this?Only thing I can figure out is that we folks don't keep track of the front fiver corners when backing.Also on my rig, if I jack it that hard backing up, it is counter productive since the turning radius of the truck will not allow it to keep up with the jack. :hI continue to be a not to slide guy with a short box and rounded corners on the front of the fiver.

Lwiddis wrote:And we TT owners can't dent too...specially with a hitch mounted bicycle?Not often you hear about the TTs meeting up with TVs, but of course they do. I have seen the results many times, of bumper pulls, TTs, boat/trailers, cargo trls, snowmobile trls, that have been twisted till contact/damage.I've towed FWs since 94, and with a 6'9" bed since 99, no sliding hitch. I've never hit the cab YET, but easily could, if not paying attention in a tight situation. I think most folks that have towed a TT realize there are limitations to tight maneuvering, and use this awareness when changing to a FW, and TV with a 6.5 bed.Jerry

To slide or not to slide, that is the question.

13 Replies

maskins
Explorer
May 22, 2017
cwill925 wrote:
Did your dent look like mine??

I got one of those yesterday and I have a slider. I was backing up in my yard like I have done every time I come home from camping. I haven't needed the slider there so I didn't slide it back.

my truck is now sitting at home with a heavy duty black trash bag duct taped over the window until safelite comes Thursday. :S

Rain was coming and that was what I found. I'm leaving the dent as a reminder to say hey dummy slide the hitch back. The truck is 13 years old it needs some character anyway.
ACZL
Explorer
May 22, 2017
"D" on the gearshift will also negate the need for a slider
High5er
Explorer
May 21, 2017
OMHO Reese sidewinder and Reese Airborne Pinbox is the way to go for us Shortboxer's. Love my 5th Airborne. No slider hassles what-so-ever.
mapguy
Explorer
May 21, 2017
PGCR wrote:
We've all been there!! ;)

No , some of us are proactive with the purchase and use of an automatic sliding hitch.
PGCR
Explorer
May 21, 2017
We've all been there!! ;)
Durb
Explorer
May 20, 2017
The Blue Ox sliding (pivoting) hitch looks like it could answer a lot of the questions regarding short bed trucks. Lightweight install, rubber isolated head and 11" of travel when needed. I would be interest to see some user feedback on it.
colliehauler
Explorer III
May 20, 2017
MFL wrote:
Lwiddis wrote:
And we TT owners can't dent too...specially with a hitch mounted bicycle?

Not often you hear about the TTs meeting up with TVs, but of course they do. I have seen the results many times, of bumper pulls, TTs, boat/trailers, cargo trls, snowmobile trls, that have been twisted till contact/damage.

I've towed FWs since 94, and with a 6'9" bed since 99, no sliding hitch. I've never hit the cab YET, but easily could, if not paying attention in a tight situation. I think most folks that have towed a TT realize there are limitations to tight maneuvering, and use this awareness when changing to a FW, and TV with a 6.5 bed.

Jerry
Count me in as contact damage from a TT. I was backing down a small hill while turning sharp and the front mounted ladder put a dent in the back corner of my Excursion. So yes it's possible.
Mike_LeClair
Explorer
May 20, 2017
Yes, a VERY expensive lesson indeed! $1,800.00 to replace the rear window of my truck. Tinted, heated, electric sliding middle piece, etc. The contour of our current trailer is very unforgiving with respect to backing and turning. My decision now is to use the slider any time I am moving the RV into or out of any camping spot. It only takes a couple of seconds to move the hitch from maneuver to tow or vice versa. You also get a further chance to test your RV brakes and connection to the TV.

Cheers!

Mike
MFL
Nomad II
May 20, 2017
Lwiddis wrote:
And we TT owners can't dent too...specially with a hitch mounted bicycle?

Not often you hear about the TTs meeting up with TVs, but of course they do. I have seen the results many times, of bumper pulls, TTs, boat/trailers, cargo trls, snowmobile trls, that have been twisted till contact/damage.

I've towed FWs since 94, and with a 6'9" bed since 99, no sliding hitch. I've never hit the cab YET, but easily could, if not paying attention in a tight situation. I think most folks that have towed a TT realize there are limitations to tight maneuvering, and use this awareness when changing to a FW, and TV with a 6.5 bed.

Jerry
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
May 20, 2017
I always wonder about this?

Only thing I can figure out is that we folks don't keep track of the front fiver corners when backing.

Also on my rig, if I jack it that hard backing up, it is counter productive since the turning radius of the truck will not allow it to keep up with the jack. :h

I continue to be a not to slide guy with a short box and rounded corners on the front of the fiver.