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Hitch install slide no slide

boat_jocky
Explorer
Explorer
I just purchased a new truck 2016 super duty F2 50. That replaces my stolen 2006 Dodge ram 250 that was a long bed and now I'm in a short bed. Camping World thinks I do not need a slider and a hitch manufacturer/installer is recommending I do have a slider any opinions? Any experience with the new truck new Ford 250?
15 REPLIES 15

Learjet
Explorer
Explorer
double post
2017 Ram Big Horn, DRW Long Box, 4x4, Cummins, Aisin, 3.73
2022 Jayco Pinnacle 32RLTS, Onan 5500, Disc Brakes, 17.5" tires
B&W Ram Companion

Learjet
Explorer
Explorer
rreynold51 wrote:
..if its to sharp its not worth the stress on both my wife or me...but just my humble opinion...


I agree !!!!
2017 Ram Big Horn, DRW Long Box, 4x4, Cummins, Aisin, 3.73
2022 Jayco Pinnacle 32RLTS, Onan 5500, Disc Brakes, 17.5" tires
B&W Ram Companion

rreynold51
Explorer
Explorer
I had one for years and never used it...Tried it out when I had it installed but for the most part we tend to choose sites that don't require a 90 deg turn to back into them..if its to sharp its not worth the stress on both my wife or me...but just my humble opinion...
Rick & Debbi NJ5W/N5GHN
El Paso, Texas

2016 Arctic Fox 27-5L
2015 GMC 2500HD Duramax

Learjet
Explorer
Explorer
phillyg wrote:
It depends. Dealer told me he never opines because he always guesses wrong. I believe him. A few people told me my shortbed would be okay without a slider because of the newer FW cutouts; NOT! I can get to maybe 85 degrees but have to slide to get to 90.


That is the true question you may hit now at 85 degrees, with a slider 95 or more...but you can still hit.
2017 Ram Big Horn, DRW Long Box, 4x4, Cummins, Aisin, 3.73
2022 Jayco Pinnacle 32RLTS, Onan 5500, Disc Brakes, 17.5" tires
B&W Ram Companion

Cdash
Explorer
Explorer
Not everyone needs to get to 90, but you can measure to get an idea.

Measure:

1. Distance from center of jaws to cab
2. Distance from center of jaws to edge of bed (90 degrees to first measurement)

Best way to do it is measure back from center of pin a distance equal to measurement 2, then measure the width of the fiver from center of trailer(pin) to edge at that distance back from center of pin. If this is greater than 1, you'll hit. If this is close to 1, you'll probably hit unless you are always on a level surface. The tilt of a trailer through a turn can lean it into the truck a few inches.

That will tell you where you are at for sure, but still isn't a guarantee, lots of variables going on. Every trailer is different, every person is different, everyone's camping is different, and everyone's attention while backing is different.

I'm not telling you to buy a slider. I've told you my reason for choosing one and that I don't regret my decision, nor would do it differently. There are plenty of people that tell you NOT to buy a slider because they don't have one and are ok. What support will you get from them when you take their advice and damage occurs to truck? It will probably go like this "huh, I've never had that problem". Then you go through the hassle of fixing your truck and paying for it.

People do well with them and without them. There are plenty that buy manual sliders and rarely or never slide them, and plenty that didn't get a slider (or didn't use the one they had) and busted out a window and dented a cab corner. An automatic slider is the only one to make sure you don't have contact at anything less that full on jack knife. Everything else is a calculated risk.

You need to consider the risks and make your own decision based on what you'll be comfortable with. I knew I'd have a lapse in judgement or attention and have an issue, so I bought the hitch that guaranteed it wouldn't happen.

On edit: I'd suggest reading through this thread and tallying up the busted rear windows:
Click

phillyg
Explorer II
Explorer II
It depends. Dealer told me he never opines because he always guesses wrong. I believe him. A few people told me my shortbed would be okay without a slider because of the newer FW cutouts; NOT! I can get to maybe 85 degrees but have to slide to get to 90.
--2005 Ford F350 Lariat Crewcab 6.0, 4x4, 3.73 rear
--2016 Montana 3711FL, 40'
--2014 Wildcat 327CK, 38' SOLD

Mile_High
Explorer
Explorer
You don't need a hitch at all if you aren't towing anything.

If you think you might be towing something, but not sure what, you probably should get the slider. If you already know what you will be towing, it would depend on the length of the pin box and the configuration of the front end of the 5er. Most lighter weight 5ers have extended pin boxes and newer 5ers have tapered or rounded noses to avoid conflict with the cab. IF you have the hitch prep on that new Ford, AND you don't need the slider, the Ford version Reese puck system hitch is a nice hitch.
2013 Winnebago Itasca Meridian 42E
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara Towed

RollandB
Explorer
Explorer
I've never regretted my Superglide, still keep an eye on it when in tight turns. The best comment on this thread is from USAFBILL, comparing it to fire insurance.
2013 Yukon

2021 Coachmen Spirit 1943RB

JIMNLIN
Explorer
Explorer
Depends on the trailer . If its a old square corner/flat profile trailer like mine you will need a slider.
If the hitch is set up zero over the trucks rear axle and the trailer has the newer rounded/notched front corners then you won't need a slider.
Dodge Ram and GM short bed trucks have a different CA (cab to axle) distance so pay attention to short bed Ford owners with a trailer like you own or are buying.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers

'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 two slides

Cdash
Explorer
Explorer
I've had a Pullrite Superglide for 9 years. First in my 2004 F-350 and moved it to my 2015 F-350. If I were to start all over today, I'd still get it again! A non sliding hitch would limit some of the places I have gotten into, and I would have been lazy with a manual slide and did damage.

As others said, you're not going to get a clear answer since everyone's use is different. Do you want to play it safe, risk damage, our are you a diligent enough person where you're not going to miss something?

MFL
Nomad II
Nomad II
boat jocky wrote:
I just purchased a new truck 2016 super duty F2 50. That replaces my stolen 2006 Dodge ram 250 that was a long bed and now I'm in a short bed. Camping World thinks I do not need a slider and a hitch manufacturer/installer is recommending I do have a slider any opinions? Any experience with the new truck new Ford 250?


I started out towing a FW with an 8' bed Ford. In 99 I switched to a shorter bed Ford without using a sliding hitch. I have had no issues, with several different FWs, and several shorter bed Ford trucks, with non-sliding hitches.

This question comes up often, with no real answer. It depends on the driver, the shape of FW front cap, and the distance from the hitch jaw center, to the back of the TV cab. The pin center on my current hitch is slightly more than 40"s behind the cab of my 13 Ford.

The most popular answer to your question is, "it is better to have a slider & not need it, than to need it and not have it". No slider works for me.

Jerry

michigancougar
Explorer
Explorer
slider - and on latest 2014 2500 I got the auto slide- last truck I didn't slide the hitch back being careful in a turn when the pavement gave way enough to drop the truck a little and the camper made contact with the truck - $1000 repair so with new truck the pullrite superglide was a no brainier, I turn it slides and I don't get burned for being lazy. good cheap insurance and got it from tweetys online delivered for under $900 - less than 1/2 of local price


2014 Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi
Pullrite Superglide mounted on Reese picture frame to factory ram pucks
one wonderful traveling companion - my wife

BB_TX
Nomad
Nomad
Depends a lot on the 5er. Good friend knocked out his back window on his short bed and 5er with squared off lower front corners on a tight back in turn. Traded for a newer 5er with greatly contoured lower front corners and no more problem. But he was also much more careful on turns.

USAFBILL
Explorer
Explorer
Camping World does not know....I always installed a slider hitch but never had to use it. Thought of it like fire insurance, had it and hoped I never get into a situation that required it..Good Luck
2003 Cougar 285EFS
2000 Chev 2500 Ex Cab