Forum Discussion

TrooperTaylor's avatar
May 24, 2014

Slider Hitch?

Ok I am about to purchase my first ever 5er. I do not own a hitch yet but do have the B&W turnover ball installed on my truck. I am hoping to get the hitch thrown in on the deal.

Do ya'll think the B&W Companion will work with my 6 foot bed or do I need to go with a slider?

What do ya think?

Thanks

9 Replies

  • kellertx5er wrote:
    There is a 3rd variable that hasn't been mentioned. That is the position of the hitch in your truck bed. Each vehicle has a recommended position for the hitch rails which of course fixes the hitch position. My bed is 6'9", I have a slider and need it. If you are at 6'5", I would recommend it.


    I ended up purchasing a Cougar 330rbk. Installed a non sliding companion hitch.

    Backing into my driveway I ended up past 90 degrees with room to spare. So in my new situation I do not need a slider after all.
  • There is a 3rd variable that hasn't been mentioned. That is the position of the hitch in your truck bed. Each vehicle has a recommended position for the hitch rails which of course fixes the hitch position. My bed is 6'9", I have a slider and need it. If you are at 6'5", I would recommend it.
  • I just bought and had installed a PullRite 15K Slider...yes they are not cheap but are built exceptionally well....and not having to get out of the truck to pull pins ..? priceless..in my humble opinion.

    Does the job extremely well.

    stk
  • Dave H M wrote:
    I haven't purchased a 5er yet. The 2 models I am dealing on right now are the 2014 Keystone Laredo 335TG and the 2014 Keystone Sprinter ST324FWBHS

    Thanks

    my 2010 Laredo has the rounded corners and I tow with a short box F250 with no slider and no problems. Go to the web site, they used to have a short video or explanation on how tight they should turn.


    Ok I will. Thanks for the info!!!
  • I haven't purchased a 5er yet. The 2 models I am dealing on right now are the 2014 Keystone Laredo 335TG and the 2014 Keystone Sprinter ST324FWBHS

    Thanks

    my 2010 Laredo has the rounded corners and I tow with a short box F250 with no slider and no problems. Go to the web site, they used to have a short video or explanation on how tight they should turn.
  • dbbls wrote:
    I towed a 5er for many years with a short bed Ford with a 6.5 foot bed and no slider and never had a problem. It depends on the shape of the front of the trailer and the pin box. Most new units will not need a slider. Heartland products will turn 88 degrees on a short bed without a slider. So, does your trailer have a flat front end or does it have a rounded one? Also, is your truck bed 6 feet or 6.5?


    I just measured the bed. It is 6'5" from the back of the cab to the inside of the tailgate.

    I haven't purchased a 5er yet. The 2 models I am dealing on right now are the 2014 Keystone Laredo 335TG and the 2014 Keystone Sprinter ST324FWBHS

    Thanks
  • I towed a 5er for many years with a short bed Ford with a 6.5 foot bed and no slider and never had a problem. It depends on the shape of the front of the trailer and the pin box. Most new units will not need a slider. Heartland products will turn 88 degrees on a short bed without a slider. So, does your trailer have a flat front end or does it have a rounded one? Also, is your truck bed 6 feet or 6.5?
  • Doesn't B&W make a slider hitch for your truck?

    Also, you can get a Curt X5 adaptor for the turn over ball and then use any slider hitch your heart desires.

    If your fiver has the extended pin box and the corner cut outs you likely will not need the slider. But it's nice to have for peace of mind.

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah
  • Whether you need a slider or not will depend on the type of FW you get. Many of them today are set up with an extended pin box so you can maneuver without needing a slider. I have one just in case I get into a real jam and need to back up at near jack-knife angles to get free. To date, I've never "had" to use it for my FW.

    However, I did help a friend move a used FW a couple of blocks one time, and it had the old style king pin that you simply couldn't use on a short bed truck. I moved the slider back, and very carefully and slowly drove it the couple of blocks to park it for him.

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