short bed truck hitch help

I managed to crease my cab within 5 days of purchase, very tight turn into driveway with drainage ditch on both sides of driveway, just bought a pull rite auto super glide 16k. Good peace of mind with a short bed

luckyc1423 wrote:

MFL wrote:
This is a very common question on this forum, with no real answer. Some people, me, have had no problem using a standard hitch in a SuperDuty, for many years. The next person will say they wouldn't be without a slider. IMO, if you are used to backing a bumper pull of any kind, you know they will hit too, if you don't pay attention.

I would recommend the B&W 3300 for OEM Ford puck system. Set it all the way to rear, which is one inch ahead of axle center.

Jerry

pulled large trailers and boats my whole life. never pulled a 5th wheel.

As long as I can go like 80 degrees with no issues then I want to go with the hitch you are talking about. I do have a tight turn to get into my driveway in reverse, but its not worse than a 75 or 80 degree turn.

If the turn is 75 - 80 degrees, then the actual angle between truck and trailer will only get to around 45 degrees. Unless you turn in excess of around 120 degrees or begin jockeying back and forth, you won't have a problem.

maskins wrote:
I just got my hitch and I have towed my fifth wheel once so I don't much experience. I did see this video when researching hitches. How to tell if you need a slider or not.

Video on youtube

What is interesting about the video, is the angle of the tape relative to the bed, and where it makes contact right in the middle of the window.

luckyc1423 wrote:
I am getting a 2017 ford f350 superduty with a short bed truck

the fifth wheel is a 2016 Dutchmen denali 316res

I would prefer to get a standard companion hitch that fits in the ford pucks....

I have seen were others have recommended a slider/glider.

Will I really have any issues with a standard "non-slider" hitch?

You're buying a new truck.

You have (or are buying) a 2016 trailer.

Lots of bucks.........

So why "cheap out" now??..:S

Find the slider/glider you like, and "pony up".

Cheap insurance!

Better to have the slider/glider and NOT need it -vs- cost of repairs and down time for repairs - if you "should have".

Remember - the folks that say no problem - aren't going to pay for *YOUR* repair bills..:R

(Gads! Like the guy that doesn't have a fifth wheel).

:B

Having/using a SuperGlide means "hitting the cab with the trailer" is something you don't have to think about.

luckyc1423 wrote:
I am getting a 2017 ford f350 superduty with a short bed truck

the fifth wheel is a 2016 Dutchmen denali 316res

I would prefer to get a standard companion hitch that fits in the ford pucks....

I have seen were others have recommended a slider/glider.

Will I really have any issues with a standard "non-slider" hitch?

My buddy had a 2005 Chevy 2500HD with 6.5' bed. He towed his 5er all over and never once used the slider function of his hitch. He recently traded for a 2010 GMC 2500HD with 6.5' bed that had a B&W Turnoverball and slider companion already installed. On his 1st trip he was making a tight turn in a parking lot when he heard what he thought was an explosion. The corner of the 5er hit the rear window and shattered it. He had made similar turns with the old truck and never had an issue but for some reason this truck & hitch combo tows a little different.

I guess the question is do you want a fixed hitch that could potentially limit your turn radius, or do you want a slider hitch that opens all options even though you might rarely (if ever) use the slide function?

Your call.

KJ

I just got my hitch and I have towed my fifth wheel once so I don't much experience. I did see this video when researching hitches. How to tell if you need a slider or not.

Video on youtube

Crazy to see this topic after an incident I just had last weekend. We end the year at the same campground which has a very tight turn area. I have only used my sliding hitch at this particular place, never needed it anywhere else. This year they parked an over flow camper off the edge of the turning area, I need that room to make the turn. I slid my hitch and had to stop and jack back under my trailer to complete the turn. I said all that to say the below.

(1) if you have to turn 90 degree... look at your trailer wheels
(2) If you have to turn 90 degree.... Don't Do It, you are destroying your trailer
(3) If you have to turn 90 degree to exit a campground... find another spot

I had am '06 F350SB with a standard B&W Companion on a turnover system (no slider). The trailer was equipped with king pin box (Atwood 72*)that was not extended like most of today's trailers but tucked under the front. The 5er did have a bit of a nose cutaway but not excessive. My 'fix' was to use that B&W with the arms pointed back which then moved the centerline of the hitch about 3-4 inches behind the rear axle. Now, before everyone piles on and says NO WAY, I aware that this is not the 'recommended' configuration. But this was not my first 5er to do that with as years back did it with a very early fiver, a '74 Kountry Aire, to clear the back bumper. It works just fine and after hauling these two trailers, many thousands of miles with absolutely no problem, will do it again if needed. I've never needed a slider. Nice, but is one really needed? Our driveway is probably the worst back in parking you can imagine as you do have to get close to 90*. I've never 'encountered' the cab's rear window in years of backing in, SB or LB 5er. Needless to say though, I really like my current long bed truck as it takes that unknown out of any list of potential problems.

my 0.02$, I went with a slider hitch because everyone recommended having it, I haven't used it once yet and don't think that I really need it. All in all I love my hitch though, B&W makes an outstanding product IMHO.