Sliding Hitch or not

[ohiopicker]

There seems to be an assumption that getting a short bed TV automatically means you'll need a slider. I bought that argument on my first TV. I subsequently found that I almost never used the sliding feature. When I transferred the hitch to my next TV, also a short bed, the slider went on Craigslist, and I've never missed it.

I try to plan my maneuvering ahead, and find that I haven't needed to have my truck jackknifed around to where a slider is needed. Has anyone else had this experience!

[BlackSilver]

I have a long-bed dually, so I don't need a slider for the usual reason (protect truck window in tight turns), but I have a manual slider anyhow, AND a Sidewinder replacement pinbox on the camper.

Why?

Now backing maneuvers are essentially the same as backing a tag trailer. SO much easier!

[TucsonJim]

I traded my 04 Chevy K2500 in for a '13 Ford F350. Using the same FW and hitch (a slider), I never had to use it except one time (see story below). When I installed the hitch in the F350, there was less clearance. On the Chevy, I could put the tailgate down with no problem. On the Ford, the hitch is farther forward and I can't put the tailgate down. When I tried to back the FW into it's parking place at home, I noticed the front of the FW getting way too close to the cab of the truck. So I moved the slider back and everything was perfect. I'm glad I have it now. But it proves the point that there are so many variables, that you really can't make an informed decision without having the basic measurements to see if there is a problem.

Now for the other story: My dad couldn't drive anymore, and asked me to sell his FW for him. It was not designed for a short bed in any way, shape or form. A prospective buyer showed up and had cash in hand. But he said "I'll only buy it if you can drop it off for me tonight". I know it's not real safe, but his house was only three blocks away. So I move the slider to the maneuver position, hooked up, and drove very slowly and carefully to his house. And Dad was thrilled with the 50 $100 bills I handed him.

[Hoppypoppy]

Hamops wrote:

Allworth wrote:
Even when not needed, moving the hitch to the rear (yes, on a long bed) improves the response to turning inputs when backing. It is a matter of leverage and pivot points.

Exactly! With the pivot point behind the rear axle, I back our 5vr more easily.

I'll "third" this. I move it back even if I am not in a tight spot. Huge difference in backing.

[danojeno]

I use my manual slider almost every time I park in the storage lot. I also have two recent dents in my cab, received outside the lot, reminding me why I should have bought an auto slider or long bed. Obviously I'm not learning to "plan ahead" appropriately.

[Beaker]

Beaker wrote:

Never used my slider in 10 years.
Took it out and bought a 5AB Sidewinder.
Expensive solution but worth it.

That doesn't make sense. If you never used your slider, what was the problem that the expensive solution solved?

To not be worrying every time I backed up, and I wanted an "air hitch".

It has been well worth the money.

[Aida]

Pullrite is great we love ours, however ido not make a tight turn if the terrain is a bowl shape meaning the truck or the 5th is lower than the other meaning turning is impossible without the 5th bumped its chin on the bed of the truck like our cul de sac the only way to fix the problem is to back in at the beginning of the street which is more level we turn around and drive backwards up the street into the driveway.

[Allworth]

You managed to find an expensive solution to a non-problem?????

[KATOOM]

schlep1967 wrote:
One reason to have a slider. Preferably an automatic slider. Last week we traveled from South Central PA to western NY. About 20 miles from our destination we came upon a bridge signed for 12'6". Blind corner up the hill that we just came around and a blind corner down the hill under the low bridge. With the pullrite I was able to quickly back the trailer into a small gravel area beside the road and do a 180 and head back up the hill. With no slider it would have been much more difficult and taken longer. With a manual slider I would have been out in traffic trying to get the hitch slid back so I could maneuver. We don't always choose the messes we get into. But it is nice to have the proper equipment when you get into those messes.

And if people lack anything while in traffic, its patience.

[wfreeth]

I need to make a fairly sharp U-turn every time I'm putting the trailer back into my spot at the storage lot. With my Pullrite it's just one easy move without stopping to slide back a manual slider. I have an older 5th wheel that does not have one of these newer sculpted noses.

[Buckeye_Chuck]

I use my slider everytime we camp. There are times when I probably do not need to use it but I slide it back anyway. It is so easy to do, why not? I think of it as it's just one less thing I to have to watch out for.

[schlep1967]

One reason to have a slider. Preferably an automatic slider. Last week we traveled from South Central PA to western NY. About 20 miles from our destination we came upon a bridge signed for 12'6". Blind corner up the hill that we just came around and a blind corner down the hill under the low bridge. With the pullrite I was able to quickly back the trailer into a small gravel area beside the road and do a 180 and head back up the hill. With no slider it would have been much more difficult and taken longer. With a manual slider I would have been out in traffic trying to get the hitch slid back so I could maneuver. We don't always choose the messes we get into. But it is nice to have the proper equipment when you get into those messes.

[sele]

I use it every single time figure all it takes is one oops and dang I should have used it, especially at home kinda tight

[Atom_Ant]

Beaker wrote:
Never used my slider in 10 years.
Took it out and bought a 5AB Sidewinder.
Expensive solution but worth it.

That doesn't make sense. If you never used your slider, what was the problem that the expensive solution solved?

[dieseldan723]

I would agree that it's better to HAVE it and NOT need it rather than to not have it and need it. I got myself into a tight spot once following my GPS and had an incredibly difficult time turning around and needed EVERY inch of my slider.

I'm not here to argue over whether or not you need a slider - I do. Questions is do I need an automatic slider like the Pullrite? I had one with my first truck and it was great, problem is that you CAN NOT back into the trailer unless you are nearly straight on. There have been times when I needed to back into the trailer at a greater angle than the Pullrite allows.

What I want to know is how much more difficult is having the manual slider and can you get one that allows a clean bed when the hitch is removed (like the Pullrite allows)?