are you towing with a short bed crew cab?

[Rich_Mar]

Just bought a Ford crew cab with a short (6 1/2) ft bed. I have a perfectly good 16k reese manual slider that I would like to use by buying the adapter. I've had only extended cab trucks before with no real problems in towing a fiver. If I can do this it would save some big bucks on not having to buy an auto slide hitch. The cougar 5er has the cut outs on the nose cap for turning and the pin box is standard extended style. In fact the mfg states short bed trucks ok. So my question to you is anyone pulling a fiver with a CREW cab short bed and not a AUTOmatic slider?? thanks

[Learjet]

took some picture of how sharp I can turn with my combo.

[Learjet]

Chandalen wrote:
Its a Reese. The fifth can be attached, just not applying its weight to the hitch. The bar -will not move- when the trailer has its weight on it.

have you tried putting the truck in neutral before park...to get the pressure off?

[Chandalen]

Its a Reese. The fifth can be attached, just not applying its weight to the hitch. The bar -will not move- when the trailer has its weight on it.

[shadows4]

Chandalen wrote:
I also have a crew cab with a manual slider. I tried to use it once. I dont know if its designed this way, but it will NOT engage to slide if its supporting weight. SO.. the 5th needs to be supporting its own weight, flip the slider bar then lift the landing legs. The slider slides into its new position and locks.

A PITA as it was also raining when I did this.

OR you can be careful and not jackknife.

Or.. you can let your wife back up, because she knows how to back up better than you do, and you end up with a nice rounded dent on each side of the cab of the truck, and then never have to worry about jack knifing again.

What kind of hitch is this? Never knew one made that you couldn't slide with the 5er hitched to it.

[cwill925]

laknox wrote:

cwill925 wrote:
Ford Crew Cab, short bed, contoured front cap and manual slider hitch. I should've used the slider and didn't.

Forward or backing?

Lyle

Not sure if it hit in forward or in reverse. I didn't hear or feel it when it hit. Didn't know it hit until I arrived home. I did simulate the problem in the back yard later. Hitting in reverse is quick when turning. However, it would hit in a sharp forward turn also.

[Chandalen]

I also have a crew cab with a manual slider. I tried to use it once. I dont know if its designed this way, but it will NOT engage to slide if its supporting weight. SO.. the 5th needs to be supporting its own weight, flip the slider bar then lift the landing legs. The slider slides into its new position and locks.

A PITA as it was also raining when I did this.

OR you can be careful and not jackknife.

Or.. you can let your wife back up, because she knows how to back up better than you do, and you end up with a nice rounded dent on each side of the cab of the truck, and then never have to worry about jack knifing again.

[Dave_and_Sue]

I have one of those 5 1/2 ft.things.Have a Sidewinder pin box.No problems what so ever.Cut outs on the front cap and would hit the truck bed sides on the front corner of the 5er before ever hitting the hang over.

[C-Bears]

Used to be one of the "have a 6.5' bed and manual slider and never used" it crowd. We probably average 20 or more CG's a year, most of which we have never been at before.

Last fall we were backing into tight site in Florida. Had it cranked pretty good but not nearly as far as I could have. A neighbor yelled just in time to save me from denting my cab.

The site was a little soft and it allowed my trailer to lean slightly, which allowed it to come closer than it ever had to my cab.

So it isn't just the angle you are backing in at, it can be how your trailer is leaning that can actually get you.

Do yourself a favor and get at least a manual slider.

[Beaker]

beaker wrote:
The only problem with a manual slider is that it won't be used when needed.

Ford Crew Cab, short bed, contoured front cap and manual slider hitch. I should've used the slider and didn't.

[laknox]

cwill925 wrote:
Ford Crew Cab, short bed, contoured front cap and manual slider hitch. I should've used the slider and didn't.

Forward or backing?

Lyle

[skijlw]

We have a short bed GMC CC and tow a Jayco Eagle Premier with no problems. We do have a manual slider and have used it a couple times for tight parking areas but not sure we really needed to.

[cwill925]

Ford Crew Cab, short bed, contoured front cap and manual slider hitch. I should've used the slider and didn't.

[Dtank]

Rich&Mar wrote:
Just bought a Ford crew cab with a short (6 1/2) ft bed. I have a perfectly good 16k reese manual slider that I would like to use by buying the adapter. I've had only extended cab trucks before with no real problems in towing a fiver. If I can do this it would save some big bucks on not having to buy an auto slide hitch. The cougar 5er has the cut outs on the nose cap for turning and the pin box is standard extended style. In fact the mfg states short bed trucks ok. So my question to you is anyone pulling a fiver with a CREW cab short bed and not a AUTOmatic slider?? thanks

You already have the hitch.

Install it.

If you never need (or use) the sliding feature - great.

Done deal.

.

[Campinfan]

Rich&Mar wrote:
Just bought a Ford crew cab with a short (6 1/2) ft bed. I have a perfectly good 16k reese manual slider that I would like to use by buying the adapter. I've had only extended cab trucks before with no real problems in towing a fiver. If I can do this it would save some big bucks on not having to buy an auto slide hitch. The cougar 5er has the cut outs on the nose cap for turning and the pin box is standard extended style. In fact the mfg states short bed trucks ok. So my question to you is anyone pulling a fiver with a CREW cab short bed and not a AUTOmatic slider?? thanks

I fit the bill....I even have a Cougar. I am paranoid about hitting the back window so I have my daughter keeping an eye out for me. It always looks closer to the window than it is but I have had no problem. Just be mindful.

[N-Trouble]

Bigmoss wrote:
The 6.5 foot box would not be considered a "short" box, I have the 5.5 foot box and that is the short box. I have a Reese slider in there and have no issues turning etc with it in the rear position.

To each their own... Many, including myself still refer to a 6.5' bed as a SHORT bed. We don't even consider those 5.5' things beds.