I'm a little confused. Well, more than normal I should say. ;)I have a short box truck and am considering a 5'VR purchase but I've seen some disastrous results of this pairing, specifically the the front of the trailer smacking the pickup cab.I've also read that slider hitches are the way to go but you can't really tow the trailer down the road with the slider set towards the rear. And it appears that you can use the slider with it set towards the rear for short distance maneuvering, such as backing into your parking spot.Am I wrong in coming to the conclusion that short box trucks and fifth wheels really don't do well together?Or do they work as long as a slider is installed and used only for backing? If this is the case, what happens when you have to make a tight turn? Is the cab still at risk?ughhh...maybe it is easier to consider a standard box truck, eh?

We have a short bed and have never had to activate our slider hitch.

My logic is why loose all the bed space and limit your self to what a STANDARD/LONG bed truck can do.I am sure I will get the "I can do anything with my SHORT bed truck as a STANDARD bed truck" comments.Regular 5er hitches are easy to install and remove. Sliders are much heavier. I hade ONE SHORT bed truck and it will be the last. I like using my truck as a truck too much. No hitch problems.

We have a short bed and a 2013 Cougar with the rounded corners and haven't come close to hitting the cab. We've probably jacked the trailer to about 70 degrees, I'm guessing. However, I would like the extra room in a long bed.

You can get an auto slider....it will reposition while maneuvering Or you can get a manual slider that you have to 'unlock' for maneuveringTraveling forward is usually not a concern until you try to make a 'U' turn or a very sharp turn.Course this also depends on 5vr front cap design....flat or scoopedFlat is more prone to whacking truck cab during tight maneuvering And also pin box.......short box or extended boxExtended places front cap of 5vr farther away from truck cabShort box more likely to cause issuesShort bed truck/short pin box/flat front cap on 5vr........sliderAny other combinations.......maybe :BAuto slider......hookup and forget it cause slider will reposition when neededManual slider......you have to remember before you hear that crunch

Don't you just love answers that start with "It depends"?Most newer (say 2000 and up) fivers have what's called an extended pin box and slanted rounded fronts that go with "short box" actually they call them standard beds now or 6 1/2 foot beds, and the broken window problems are all but alleviated. Now if you also add a slider hitch, you're really OK. I have a slider and for the past five years have used it twice, maybe three times. I'll guesstimate that 98% of the time you'll never need it, but that once or twice, it saves a whole bunch of maneuvering.

Short Box + 5'VR = Disaster???? | Good Sam Community

PilotEd
Explorer
Oct 26, 2014
"The owners manual for the Super-glide indicates that the tow vehicle and trailer have to be within 16 degrees of parallel to hitch/unhitch. I can imagine many scenarios where that could be a problem for me."

I've hooked many times with more than the 16 degrees of parallel. It takes a little doing, but, still doable. I release the top portion of the hitch so it stays on the king pin, relocate the tow vehicle, manually move the slider to align the hitch, retract the legs, and voila, hitched and ready to go. Granted it takes awhile, but easily done. It sure gives you peace of mind with a Super-glide.

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elkyrose
Explorer
Oct 26, 2014
Here is one more reason to go short bed for me anyway..
Have Cameo rounded nose and still use a PullRite Super Glide.
also have shop with hoist to lift it when not in use
With my Double trailer setup, I'm dead on the CA 60'length with a short bed GMC And no worrys in turning or backing..
TurnThePage
Explorer
Oct 26, 2014
The owners manual for the Super-glide indicates that the tow vehicle and trailer have to be within 16 degrees of parallel to hitch/unhitch. I can imagine many scenarios where that could be a problem for me.
sleepyT
Explorer
Oct 26, 2014
Yamaki
I had the same problem as you. A short bed truck and a fifth wheel. I bought a " PULL-RITE " automatic slider. I did so because I didn't want to even have to think about having to get out of the truck in the case of a tight turn or backing situation to pull a lever on the manual slider. That's my story and I'm sticken with it. :B
DDD_MT
Explorer
Oct 26, 2014
Buy a Super Glide! Drive, turn, back it up, park, enjoy and read less!!
JohnEM38
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
We have a F350 SRW with a Pullrite slider hitch and it works quite well to tow a 35' Montana Mountaineer.
MartyMoose
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
I guess I have been lucky. I have a SB and don't know how to use my manual slider. My 5thW does have shortened corners.
I use my truck as a daily driver and couldn't imagine driving anything longer.

My hitch is attached to my trailer now, but will be installing next weekend for a trip ( locked ).
Duck
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
I have used a SB to haul a fiver for 10 years. We have a Pullrite automatic slider and have never had a problem. Since I have always bought Ford f350 I just moved the hitch from one truck to the other.
Don
bhall
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
Have a slider hitch on my 2015 Chevy 2500 6.5' (Standard box) bed. The 29' 5th wheel has an extended pin box installed as well (how we bought it). Even with the Extended pin, I can't back into our driveway off of our 17' wide road without hitting the window. If I put the slider into maneuver mode, then as I found out, the pin box hits my tailgate. Now it takes me over 5 minutes to back into my driveway with all the adjustments I have to make vs. the 33' travel trailer I had where I just backed in with less issues. I think the cheapest solution to my problem is replacing the extended pin box with a standard one.
Little_Hand
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
My wife and I were pulling our new 3750fl Montana on our trip out west in October this year in stead of our Lance 861. All was well till we pulled into Walsenburg Co. truck stop and the wife cut a little too short and the back of our Dodge one ton Mega Cab contacted the front right of the Montana POW! out went the passenger side back glass and two small dents in cab. Did not hurt the Montana, only a slight scratch. The cost to fix truck was 2,581.00. Lesson, do not cut too short. There is plenty of room, but a driver not used to a 5r can make a mistake. I have had a slider hitch but much prefer my B&W. Just watch what you do and all will be fine.