Slider Hitch Required?

[bodacious]

Thinking of trading the '03 GMC 3500 for a 2014 GMC 2500 standard bed (6 1/2 ft.) Will my 16K fixed hitch work with the '05 Cougar 309EFS or would this setup require a slider?

[goukcats]

My previous TV was an 08' GMC SB & I have not needed to use my manual slider with it or my current TV. My 5er does have the newer front with the better turn radius. I think your 05' has the straight front cap that does not have the better turn radius. You may very well need a slider of some type.

[laknox]

bodacious wrote:
Thinking of trading the '03 GMC 3500 for a 2014 GMC 2500 standard bed (6 1/2 ft.) Will my 16K fixed hitch work with the '05 Cougar 309EFS or would this setup require a slider?

I can NOT hit my trailer, which is very square-fronted, with my '02 D'max and Companion hitch, going forward. It is 4wd, so I =ass=ume that it doesn't turn quite as sharp as a 2wd, but I'm good with my setup. ALL will hit in reverse, just some sooner than others. I =have= taken out my back glass trying to back into a site, so I know my limits and always use spotters when in a tight space.

Lyle

[kzspree320]

In a perfect world you would not need a slider; the roads would be wide with no sharp turns and one could not get into tight situations that are difficult to backtrack from. I don't live in that world and at times have had to use a slider with my shortbed to get into parking spaces and out of tight spots.

That is the reason I now have a Superglide. I just don't want to worry about it or accidentaly touch the cab with the fiver by misjudging. YMMV. Gook luck.

[avvidclif1]

6.5' bed with slider. I never have used it. Both 5ers I've owned had sculpted fronts and extended pinbox. I don't know how close to 90 deg I can get and won't find out until I have to. Been able to get into any campsite I've wanted to.

[dballentine]

tsetsaf wrote:
It is simple math... your bed is 6' and the hitch is mounted in the middle leaving 3' from pivot to rear of cab. Your fiver is 8' wide. Meaning when you turn more than a certain angle that extra foot (4-3) will make for a bad day.

My understanding is that the hitch jaw should be located directly over the rear axle, not centered front to rear in the bed. You'll have to measure the distance from the rear of the cab to the axle centerline. That distance has to be greater than half the width of the FW nose in order to turn 90 degrees.

To allow some "wiggle room", such as backing into a sloping site, I've seen it written that you want to exceed half the trailer width by 2" or more.

[pyoung47]

This is a beat up topic, but I've voted with my checkbook for Pullrite. Extremely sharp turns should be avoided since huge stresses are placed on tires and wheels, especially on dry pavement.

[gdweb]

wife talked me into slider, glad she did.(manual reese) always pulled with long bed till this truck 6.75 f250 5th has coned front luckily i saw it right before any damage was done. just a streak on cab, buffed out. turns up to 88 as they say, maybe. i'd say get it, better safe than sorry

[4huskers]

I've had two Superglides wouldn't be without one. We have to negotiate a cul de sac to park at our house. It requires a 90 degree turn. That and the lack of manevuering room in Texas State Parks makes a slider mandatory.

[kmbelt]

I have a 6.5ft bed. I have a slider. I have NEVER had to use it as of yet. If you are careful and pay attention, it is not necessary.

[DonPd]

You can install a new pin box the sidewinder style. I have one and it works great. It also takes the bounce out of the ride. It works better than a slider hitch.

Link to pin box
Sidewinder

[tsetsaf]

It is simple math... your bed is 6' and the hitch is mounted in the middle leaving 3' from pivot to rear of cab. Your fiver is 8' wide. Meaning when you turn more than a certain angle that extra foot (4-3) will make for a bad day.

Three ways to solve the problem:
1. Slider hitch auto moves the trailer 14" back when turning
2. "Short bed safe" nose cones that are sloped and notched to create extra room
3. Extended pin box that moves the nose of the trailer far enough to allow it to hang further out over the bed rails when turning.

You can use any one or combination of them to avoid smacking the cab.

[danojeno]

mikeh449 wrote:
slider hitch is needed for beds less than 6 ft I have a jayco 27.5 rlts with 2012 Silverado with 6.5 ' bed no slider

Obviously that would depend on the trailer being pulled. I have a 6.5‘ bed with matching dents on the cab. You only never need one till you need one, then it‘s too late.

[mikeh449]

slider hitch is needed for beds less than 6 ft I have a jayco 27.5 rlts with 2012 Silverado with 6.5 ' bed no slider

[gat75]

I have a 2009 d/a gmc 2500 with 6.5 bed. I pull a 34ft full profile 5th Wheel with an extended hitch box. Just completed an 8000 mi trip, never once did I feel I needed a slider for my Reese R-16 hitch. In my opinion, that is just something else you have to haul around taking up precious space in your bed. That being said, I cannot turn 90dgs, however, I never had to turn that sharp anyway. You should be OK without the slider.

[mdamerell]

Due to the nose being rounded and what looks like an extended pin box on the pictures I found, you're probably ok if your careful up to 75-80 degree turn with a standard hitch. Others with a 6.5' box can probably answer in greater detail.