Slider Hitch = More Control Backing Up?
My limited experience of two years with a 5th wheel was preceded with 20 years of travel trailer experience. I found it much more difficult to back up with a 5th wheel, especially if you are trying t...
Forum Discussion
JIMNLIN wrote:Retired wrote:
Using the slider puts some wag into the tail like a travel trailer. Wag that makes it easier to control backing up a 5th wheel.
Users of slider hitches - do you agree?
100 percent.
Not a new thing as manual operated sliding hitch owners have been doing this since the hitch industry gave us a sliding hitch and advertised that fact
JIMNLIN, I wish that they had advertised the fact that a slider adds to maneuverability when backing up. There was nothing in the manuals with my Curt Hitch. I also researched forums about techniques in backing a FW. Nothing ever mentioned about using the slider to cause FW to turn more quickly and tighter.
It may have to wait until next spring, but I would like to do a controlled experiment in an empty parking lot with painted parking lines. Start with unit at the same exact spot, with FW and truck in a straight line.
First time with hitch in forward position; kingpin over the axle. Crank wheels fully over and back up until trailer is at tight angle. Measure the angle and the distance to the rear the trailer has moved.
Second time with the slider to the rear: kingpin behind the axle. Crank wheels fully and back up until you reach the same measured angle as first one. Then measure the distance to the rear the trailer has moved. It should be less and would be basic way to measure the tighter turning circle enabled through use of slider in the rear position. Will be interesting to see what difference there will be.
