Is this really the only 5th wheel hitch option?

bdepaauw wrote:
Hi,

My wife and I are getting our first RV on Thursday and are supper excited! However, today we went to look for a hitch and the sales person said the only option for my 5 1/2 foot bed (2013 Ford F-150) is the Pullrite 12K Superglide 3100, coming in at $2200.

According to him my only option was this one. No manual hitches would work and no other auto sliders would slide far enough.

Is this true?

Welcome to the forum :o
I'll repost your slider question and maybe some one with actual experience can reply.
Its like this any time some one mentions a 5th wheel trailer and a 1/2 ton truck so don't get discouraged.

The shorty F150 bed/ 3100 Superglide is rare and not one discussed much....but there out here doing their job.

I did a quick google and came up with several web forums with this subject. Check out a google.

romore wrote:
I agree with the dealer. Personally, I would not attempt to tow a fiver with your truck, it does not have adequate payload and the hitch would be mounted too far back for proper weight distribution. But it's your nickel, your call.

I agree. Why anyone would tow a fiver with a 5.5ft bed is beyond me. The dealer see's the writing on the wall is the reason he is requesting a waiver. Then on the other hand, he's not gonna bring it up as he also want's to make "the sale"!

Sorry OP, no disrespect intended. But that's not a good tow vehicle for a 5th wheel.

Between the weight of people, gear, cargo, full tank of gas, the hitch itself and pin weight, will you be within the rear axle and tire ratings? For the size 5th wheel one could tow with an F150, I would much rather opt for a comparable travel trailer. If all is etched in stone, I'd go with the hitch the dealer wants to install. Having let a dealer install my first 5th wheel hitch out of convenience, I will never again pay to have one installed. I installed the same hitch in five more trucks and did a much better job.

You can get a regular hitch and a Reese revolution or sidewinder pin box instead of a slider

You can buy a Pullrite hitch on line for about $1000 cheaper. Then you have to add the rails and installation. But the money for an auto slider is well worth piece of mind.

mrkoje wrote:

IdaD wrote:

sharker6 wrote:
My Dealer said I had to sign a waiver to exclude them from liability if I opted not to have a slider and that's a decent price.

What a load of ****. Dealers are such crooks.

Ya, until the new owner takes his new 5th wheel and tows it with a half ton (which is probably underrated to begin with) and then smashes his cab and blames the dealer. Just because the dealer wants a waiver signed does not mean they are crooks.

Most likely the dealer has been down that road before, threatened with a lawsuit or two and doesn't wish for it to happen again. Wake up before posting your silly comments.

X2! That is way too short of bed to not have a slider, OR Reese Revolution.

IdaD wrote:

sharker6 wrote:
My Dealer said I had to sign a waiver to exclude them from liability if I opted not to have a slider and that's a decent price.

What a load of ****. Dealers are such crooks.

Ya, until the new owner takes his new 5th wheel and tows it with a half ton (which is probably underrated to begin with) and then smashes his cab and blames the dealer. Just because the dealer wants a waiver signed does not mean they are crooks.

Most likely the dealer has been down that road before, threatened with a lawsuit or two and doesn't wish for it to happen again. Wake up before posting your silly comments.

My box is 6 foot 4 I've never had to slide my curt...

If I felt I needed to slide the hitch I'd do the pin box first.

I agree with the dealer. Personally, I would not attempt to tow a fiver with your truck, it does not have adequate payload and the hitch would be mounted too far back for proper weight distribution. But it's your nickel, your call.

IdaD wrote:

sharker6 wrote:
My Dealer said I had to sign a waiver to exclude them from liability if I opted not to have a slider and that's a decent price.

What a load of ****. Dealers are such crooks.

Nope. Dealer installs hitch he knows may allow the 5er to hit cab. Warns driver. Driver makes tight turn and damages cab. Driver sues dealer for negligence. Fact of life.