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!

[mike2wheels]

Although we have a slider, we don't use it because the nose of the trailer is sculpted to allow for those tight turns. The pin box comes closer to the bed rails than the front of the trailer to the truck cab.

[Beaker]

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

[ol_Bombero-JC]

N-Trouble wrote:

mileshuff wrote:
I'm debating this issue myself. Will be buying a new 5er soon. One issue I see is that the Superglide has no height adjust. That leaves the only adjustment at the pin. Guess I gotta figure out my Dodge 4x4 truck beds height to see if Superglide will even work and keep trailer fairly level. Trailer I'm buying has a hitch height of 48". Is this a somewhat standard height if there is a standard?

Lack of height adjustment is the only downfall I see to the Superglide. An alternative but similar auto-slider is the Highjacker which does have height adjust. I hear its a bit heavier than the Superglide however.

Hmmmmmmm.......... minor research "Downfall"..:@

PR SG height adjustment:

PullRite has had a 3" lift kit (part #4408) available since about 2008..:W

For smaller height adjustment, alternate pins are available to gain 1/2".

~

[jevanb]

when I bought my 5er it has the cap for SB trucks, but I never ever wanted to worry about hitting the truck, so I put in a superglide, found it on craigslist for 500 and installed it myself. since I have never owned a regular hitch I cannot comment on them

[schlep1967]

Way too many trucks/bed lengths/and different versions of fifthwheels out there for there to be one conclusion/answer for this. Can most short bed trucks with most newer fifthwheel trailers be operated without a slider in most circumstances? Yes. Can all short bed trucks with all fifthwheel trailers be operated without a slider in all circumstances? No.

And the different sliders have different limitations. Manual sliders, once slid back can operate past 90 degrees. The superglide will slide itself back but can not be operated past 90 degrees. There are very few times when anybody should be operating past 90 degrees.

[lakeside013104]

Depends on the style of the front end of your 5er. The newer models have recessed front corners and with those (in most NON aggressive maneuvering situations) you will not need a slider. I park in some real tight tree laden camp grounds and have done well without using a slider. Happy trails.

Lakeside

[KATOOM]

Not sure why all the hostility towards sliders.....:h If someone doesn't want one then dont get one. Isn't it that simple? And if you "need" one then it would only be because your short bed truck and trailer combination doesn't allow enough clearance to achieve the turning radius you need. I would think that most short bed trucks could only benefit from a slider, even if its never used. If you have a newer short bed friendly trailer then the likely hood of needing a slider would be slim. I use my slider a lot and I was told that I wouldnt need one too. After purchasing mine, Superglide had just introduced their less expensive and smaller 18k auto slide which fits on standard rails. I would have definitely gone that route instead of the manual slider.

[wittmeba]

ohiopicker,

I agree with your opening statement.

My comments:
http://gotnarcosis.com/brucewittmeier/technical/FifthWheelHitchComments.html

[tcamper]

I agree…it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!!

I definitely have to use mine when backing into my tight driveway or at the storage. I’ve actually made contact with my cab but fortunately was going very slow and keeping an eye on it….so no damage.

Seems the newer 5ers have the customized front corners so hopefully this helps.

[Hamops]

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.

[N-Trouble]

mileshuff wrote:
I'm debating this issue myself. Will be buying a new 5er soon. One issue I see is that the Superglide has no height adjust. That leaves the only adjustment at the pin. Guess I gotta figure out my Dodge 4x4 truck beds height to see if Superglide will even work and keep trailer fairly level. Trailer I'm buying has a hitch height of 48". Is this a somewhat standard height if there is a standard?

Lack of height adjustment is the only downfall I see to the Superglide. An alternative but similar auto-slider is the Highjacker which does have height adjust. I hear its a bit heavier than the Superglide however.

[mileshuff]

I'm debating this issue myself. Will be buying a new 5er soon. One issue I see is that the Superglide has no height adjust. That leaves the only adjustment at the pin. Guess I gotta figure out my Dodge 4x4 truck beds height to see if Superglide will even work and keep trailer fairly level. Trailer I'm buying has a hitch height of 48". Is this a somewhat standard height if there is a standard?

[Atom_Ant]

1st 5er with shortbed, never used it, 2nd 5er on same shortbed, needed it constantly. Very few experiences are consistent enough in truck, trailer, pin box type, to make any judgement as to the value of the slider hitch. When I needed it, I needed it and it had nothing to do with driving skill.

[whistlebritches]

We have a slide hitch and wouldn't be without one. There have been numerous times when we've had to turn really short and would have hit the fifth wheel on the bed rail without it. And, you don't want the manual one, because who wants to jump out in traffic and slide it over if need be. Especially handy when trying to get in and out of fuel stations.

[Pipewelder]

ohiopicker wrote:
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!

One thing to keep in mind is what brand of truck you use. Dodge has the shortest distance between rear axle and cab, while chevy has the most. Also where is the pin located in relation to the cap of your fiver. Is it 6'' behind the cap or 6'' in front... These variables mean the difference between a waste of money for a slider, or a broken window...
David