anyone with a Grand Design Reflection 295rl or similar

[riven1950]

GD claims they are short bed friendly. We are looking at a 295rl or or similar size.

Will be upgrading to a f250 gasser. All I have seen on the lots are 6.5 ft beds I think. My f150 has a 5.5 ft bed and I know they are longer but not 8 foot.

Anyone with a light weight GD and a bed less than 8 foot? If so how does it work out ?

With the hitch they advertise could you still have a tool box in front of the hitch? My tool box is 18" but I think some are less.

Thanks, 5th wheel newbies here

[mickose]

We have a 2019 Reflection 295RL. Pulling with 2018 2500 Silverado with a 6’8” bed. With the rounded front cap on FW and the hitch adjustments on the FW, hitting the cab is not an issue. A low profile tool box should fit.

[WTP-GC]

Second Chance wrote:
Join and ask some questions over on the Grand Design Owners Forum - great bunch of folks over there. The forum is owned and operated by a private GD owner, not the company.

Grand Design Owners Forum

Rob

This is a good recommendation and you can join for free at first to poke around and ask questions.

FWIW, we have a GD 290BH, which is probably more/less the same frame and body as the 295. With our Chevy 2500 short bed (6.5'), we have no issues turning, backing, etc. We have the B & W Companion (t/o ball connection), so we aren't able to use the Turning Point pinbox that's included on the trailer. Our trailer sits very level when towing.

One negative comment that I'll make is that the 5er isn't just being lightened up for pulling with less truck (I never recommend anything less than a 3/4 ton for a 5er BTW), but its designed to help accommodate that as well. The axles are more forward, making for less pin weight. Seems like a decent idea, but the trailer tows like a turd when its not loaded and the truck's not loaded. On our last trip, we were very minimal...less tables and other junk in the bed of the truck and no bikes on the back of the 5er. The rig bounced front to back like a son of a gun on less than smooth roads. Its not enough to make me unhappy, but just a taught me that I need to tow heavier.

[wilber1]

We also have a GD 303 towing with a Ram with 6.5 ft bed and a manual sliding hitch. I also have a box in front of the hitch. While it takes a tight turn, I can make contact with the cab if I don't slide the hitch back.

[goducks10]

One issue to look at is if the 5er will tow level when hitched. Most 1/2 ton labeled 5th wheels sit nose high when hitched to 3/4+ tons.

[Second_Chance]

Join and ask some questions over on the Grand Design Owners Forum - great bunch of folks over there. The forum is owned and operated by a private GD owner, not the company.

Grand Design Owners Forum

Rob

[MFL]

riven1950 wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. I need to do more reading on hitches and maybe get a slider depending on the 5th wheel we end up with. Great info.

Yes the FW front makes a difference. The brand of truck varies also, due to the distance from rear axle center, to back of cab. GM has the longest distance, followed by Ford, and then Ram with the least.

E-trailer is a good place to see, read about hitches, and a good price also.

Jerry

[riven1950]

Thanks for all the replies. I need to do more reading on hitches and maybe get a slider depending on the 5th wheel we end up with. Great info.

[2012Coleman]

Durb wrote:
Towing you will be fine, backing could be different. Some times if turning sharp while backing and there is a driveway or you are backing up an incline the truck/trailer relationship will contort and you could hit your cab with a short bed truck. Best to be aware of those situations and inform your spotter also. I would choose a slider or pivoting hitch even though you may never use it, best to be prepared just in case.

X2. I have a 2018 GD 303RLS, standard bed Ram. I bought a B&W companion slider just in case. With the advice of so many people saying they never needed to slide, I decided not to on the first time backing into the driveway which was a 90 degree angle from the street. I thought I was being careful, but this dang fifth wheel wasn't behaving like my previous TT, and I ended up punching out the back window. Lesson learned, slide it when backing into tight corners. It's easy to do - I use the brake controller to lock the wheels, and have used chocks too.

Keep in mind that some auto sliders require that you back in straight when hitching up. Not so with the B&W. I usually back in a little crooked. It's nice to be able to see the jaws around the king pin clearly.

I don't put a tool box in the bed, but there is room in front of the hitch. I'd just be sure to secure the tool box to the bed somehow. You may not need to put it there. There is room in my basement to haul my water tote - and Tundra cooler, plus all my other stuff.

Cons of my particular hitch is that it is heavy. So I just get a couple of friends when I want to remove it which is not often. Get a tonneau cover if you plan on leaving it in - or research the Anderson which is easy to take in and out. With this hitch, the trailer is already about 9 inches further back - at least from what I read on it. There are some good videos on this hitch as well. Google Anderson Ultimate.

Good luck.

[Durb]

Towing you will be fine, backing could be different. Some times if turning sharp while backing and there is a driveway or you are backing up an incline the truck/trailer relationship will contort and you could hit your cab with a short bed truck. Best to be aware of those situations and inform your spotter also. I would choose a slider or pivoting hitch even though you may never use it, best to be prepared just in case.

[MFL]

You will not have any problem with the newer FWs, that have the rounded nose. The 250s standard bed is 6'9"s. Depending on hitch, should be no problem with the tool box either. You'll enjoy the 250, and the FW towing experience.

Jerry

[ksbowman]

We have a 303rls and a 2005 Dodge 2500 4wd short bed (6.5') and have a very good turn radius and plenty of cab clearance. I always stay away though when backing and turning tight. I have never used a slider hitch and this is the 3rd 5th wheel I've pulled with it.