Slider hitch or regular

[teschman]

Just bought a Silverado 3500HD crew cab 6.6 foot bed. We are also buying a Keystone Laredo 329RE that claims to have Max Turn Technology. The salesman says we don't need a slider a waste of money. But from everything I've read you should always use a slider on a short bed. We were trailer pullers before and this was never an issue. Advice would be appreciated as sales guys are interested in one thing "making the sale"

[bobx2]

My slider hitch was $200 more than the non-slider. Why not pay that little difference and not worry about it?

[SpoiledRotten]

I've also ready where the driver had a manual slider, but was too lazy to get out and slide it backward. The result was a dent in the 5er and a broken glass. I've also read where the driver had an auto slider but it failed to do what it was intended to do and the result was a dent in the 5er and a broken glass.
I have the 5er that will not make a 90* with my truck. I opted away from any slider and take nothing for granted, so now, and always have had my wife stand beside as spotter for any closeness that happens. We haven't hit in 9 years, but it could happen just as it can and has happened to others with a slider of some type.

[bad99ram]

Last summer I watched a guy backing in blow out his back window. He had a manual slider. He forgot to pull the handle. My point is nothing is 100% foolproof.

[spud1957]

Vulcaneer wrote:
I have a Pullrite SuperGlide autoslide hitch. Bought it some 6 years ago. Paid a fortune for it. Needed it then. Now my trailer is the relieved corner design.

You can probably get along without a slider, if you are careful. Watch out for tight off camber backing turns, and tight 180 degree U-Turns. Even with a relieved corner trailer this two cases can get you. And when that happens, the cost of the slider seems much cheaper.

Agree with Vulcaneer. Everyone may have clearance when the truck and trailer are level. That 3" clearance between the front of the trailer and back window will soon disappear if you are backing into a site that is slightly up hill. If those trailer tires are 3" above the truck tires then the 3" clearance is gone.

For the little extra money for a manual slider, it's good insurance.

S

[Vulcaneer]

I have a Pullrite SuperGlide autoslide hitch. Bought it some 6 years ago. Paid a fortune for it. Needed it then. Now my trailer is the relieved corner design.

You can probably get along without a slider, if you are careful. Watch out for tight off camber backing turns, and tight 180 degree U-Turns. Even with a relieved corner trailer this two cases can get you. And when that happens, the cost of the slider seems much cheaper.

[drfife]

The decision to use a sliding hitch is a math problem.

If having a slider makes you feel better, buy one.

If the math shows you don't need a slider, then don't buy one.

I did the math, I don't need one.

[Dave_H_M]

JEBar wrote:

teschman wrote:
We are also buying a Keystone Laredo 329RE that claims to have Max Turn Technology. The salesman says we don't need a slider a waste of money.

ask the salesman and dealership if he will put a promise in writing along with a commitment to repair, at no charge, any damage that might to be caused to the truck and/or camper for so long as you own them

Jim

As times and technology changes, a lot of mind sets do not. I think folks should be given the facts or opinions if that is what they ask for and they should make up their own mind. Laredo used to demonstrate that technology on their site. It works for me.

[bad99ram]

ask the salesman and dealership if he will put a promise in writing along with a commitment to repair, at no charge, any damage that might to be caused to the truck and/or camper for so long as you own them

Jim


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'07 Freightliner Sportchassis
'06 SunnyBrook 34BWKS

Are you serious????

[JEBar]

teschman wrote:
We are also buying a Keystone Laredo 329RE that claims to have Max Turn Technology. The salesman says we don't need a slider a waste of money.

ask the salesman and dealership if he will put a promise in writing along with a commitment to repair, at no charge, any damage that might to be caused to the truck and/or camper for so long as you own them

Jim

[TrooperTaylor]

teschman wrote:
Just bought a Silverado 3500HD crew cab 6.6 foot bed. We are also buying a Keystone Laredo 329RE that claims to have Max Turn Technology. The salesman says we don't need a slider a waste of money. But from everything I've read you should always use a slider on a short bed. We were trailer pullers before and this was never an issue. Advice would be appreciated as sales guys are interested in one thing "making the sale"

Your 6.6 foot bed is not a short bed its a standard bed. Short beds are a foot shorter usually and long beds are 8 foot.

I have a 2012 Ram 2500. I measure 6'6" from the back of the cab to the inside of the tailgate.

I just purchased a B&W Companion hitch ( non sliding ) and a 2014 Cougar 330rbk with max turn technology.

Backing into my driveway I had to turn past 90 degrees to get in.

So in my application I do not need a slider.

[rtazz17]

Get a slider.Dont need it till you need it.I wouldnt want to find out I needed a slider when the nose hits my cab.Jmo

[Racine96]

I have a 2500 Chevy, and use a Curt hitch with a slider. Not sure is a must but is good to know I have it if necessary.

[txdutt]

My setup is similar but I went ahead & bought a slider on my Curt hitch--all it takes is one time to need it....so far I haven't but...

[drfife]

I have a 2012 GMC 3500HD with a 6.5' bed.

I tow an Excel Winslow 5th wheel with a standard B&W Companion hitch.

20K miles towing without incident.

With my combo I feel no need for a sliding hitch.

[MFL]

GM trucks normally have good cab clearance, with the 6.5 bed.

The newer FWs that are designed to work with the short bed also give good clearance.

I have not used a slider with my last two Fords, due to good clearance.

If you are used to backing a TT, you know you need to pay attention, so your bumper doesn't hit the TT.

I would get a quality hitch, but agree with the sales person, you don't need to have a slider.

Welcome to the forum!!

Jerry