Do you need a slider hitch with a 61/2 ft bed

Depends on the trailer a bit. I have a Reese slider on my short bed Dodge and never use it. It would hit the rear window if I made it go 90 degrees though. Our trailer has cut outs on the front cap corners which helps a bit I believe.

Not really, depending on fifth wheel. I have never had a problem with mine.

I have never needed to use my slider in 4 years of pulling fivers.

We managed to punch out the cab window with our first fiver, we have a slider but it is impossible to move with the trailer attached. The current unit misses the cab but not by much.
You need to measure the distance from the center of the pin to the edge of the trailer (dimension A) Now measure from the center of said pin to the rearmost portion of the cab (dimension B), if A equals or exceeds B you need a slider or be very very careful.

Yes

Is going to a shorter bed truck an upgrade? please explain how thats an upgrade with the added cost of sliding hitches, concern of working it, and loss of cargo room in a long bed? How about resale value? Used buyers want a truck to haul stuff.

Guy pulled into the campground yesterday32 foot 5ver and a 2012 Chevy 2500 short bed. TrailAire pin box and slider.....took him a while get back in then I noticed his whole back window is almost gone. Haven't had a chance to find out what happened....either jack-knifed or just forgot to slide the hitch back. Good things there is no rain right now.

You need a slider with any bed less than 8ft.

cpaulsen wrote:
Guy pulled into the campground yesterday32 foot 5ver and a 2012 Chevy 2500 short bed. TrailAire pin box and slider.....took him a while get back in then I noticed his whole back window is almost gone. Haven't had a chance to find out what happened....either jack-knifed or just forgot to slide the hitch back. Good things there is no rain right now.

He needs to go to Lowes and get a chunk of plexiglass and a roll of duct tape. :h

It depends on the trailer. If it has the extended pin box and rounded or cut-back front corners, you'll probably never use the sliding feature. I had a 2005 F250 6'9" bed crew cab, pulling a KZ toy hauler. Only used the sliding feature twice, but could have gotten it into the spot without it.