Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Fleet | Keystone RV Models > Fifth Wheels
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 04-13-2016, 06:59 AM   #1
chillax_n77
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Northern MI
Posts: 30
Short box truck with XLite

Quick question, with max turn front cap on the XLites, do I still need to invest in a slider hitch for my 6.5' box crew cab? We plan to have a hitch installed next week and take delivery but if I can save a few $$ on a non-slider hitch... Thoughts??
chillax_n77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2016, 07:50 AM   #2
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
I have a Ford F250 short bed Crew Cab with a Curt "conventional" (non-sliding) hitch. I can back at angles that "scare me" because of the stress it puts on the axles. I'd say I'm at almost 80 degrees (or more) and still have quite a bit of room between the cab and the trailer front cap. I can't imagine any place I'd need more "backing angle" than I can achieve, or a situation where I'd want to back at a greater angle than I can achieve.

I've never felt the need to have a sliding hitch and I've been in some awfully tight situations.

Actually, I traded my 2013 F250 long bed supercab for this truck. I'd say that with the exception of bed storage space, both trucks offered the same towing experience. My ability to back and turn my XLite is essentially the same with my current hitch in either truck. I personally feel the limitation is more on the axles than it is on the truck cab/front cap clearance.
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2016, 09:20 AM   #3
GmaPaTime
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Currituck, NC
Posts: 356
I had an F-250 short bed with our Xlite and never had a problem. Like John has said, you can get real tight but shouldn't anyway.

Steve
__________________
Steve & Amy
2017 Winnebago Aspect 30J
Previously :
2015 Jayco 31UL MH
2015 Cougar X-Lite 29RLI
GmaPaTime is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2016, 09:36 AM   #4
Lawdog
Member
 
Lawdog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Montana
Posts: 41
What year and make on your truck?

I have a GMC crew cab Duramax with the 6.5 bed and a B&W Companion to tow my new X-Lite. I have had no issues whatsoever.

I have to do a pretty tight turn to back into my driveway and I'm somewhere around 80-85 degrees with room to spare. I have not forced it any further because there's no need and I don't want to needlessly put the torque on the axles or tires if I don't have to.
__________________


RAM 3500 Cummins HO
2016 Cougar X-Lite 28RDB
Kawasaki Teryx 4 LE
Lawdog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2016, 05:47 PM   #5
Vet4jdc
Senior Member
 
Vet4jdc's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Virginia Beach
Posts: 175
You will be able to get "scary" angles without the slider. Save your $$$
__________________
2019 Montana HC 331RL
2017 F250 Super Duty Crew Cab
Vet4jdc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2016, 06:38 PM   #6
gearhead
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,021
I towed a Cougar XLite 28 SGS behind a GMC short bed. Never had an issue using the Curt Q20 non slider.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
gearhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2016, 06:41 PM   #7
BobnLee
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Lindsay Ontario
Posts: 156
I have a 6.5 box with a slider and have only had to use it twice in 4 years. I could have made it without using the slider on both occasions save your money
BobnLee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2016, 08:13 PM   #8
CaptnJohn
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Ocean Isle Beach
Posts: 1,431
I have a slider in my '16 F250 and never used it ~~ but should have once.
__________________

2022.Montana 3855 BR
2019 F350 6.7 4X4 DRW
CaptnJohn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2016, 05:55 AM   #9
jsmith948
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central San Joaguin Valley, CA
Posts: 2,117
We have a Reese round bar slider on our F250 short bed. Probably didn't/don't need it as our Cougar has the "Max Turn" front cap (contoured corners).
We do slide the hitch back when we encounter a tight backing situation. I can't imagine not using it and doing damage to the cab and nose cap because I didn't take the time to move the hitch. Even when we have a 'straight shot' pull through, the slider comes in handy when we overnight and don't want to unhook the truck. With the hitch in the towing position, the door to the front compartment will hit the tailgate. We can slide the hitch back and gain access to the front storage compartment.
Just an observation: If you decide to use a fixed hitch and you keep the standard tailgate, make sure you are straight when you back under the pin box in order to avoid hitting the front of your trailer with the corner of the tailgate.
__________________

Jack & Marty
2018 Laredo 298 SRL
2011 F-250 SB Crew Cab 4x4 6.7L
jsmith948 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2016, 06:33 AM   #10
chillax_n77
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Northern MI
Posts: 30
Truck is a 2016 Ram 2500 Crew Cab, had it a week New truck and camper, going to be an awesome Summer!! Anyway, so far the consensus is to save $$ and get the non-slider but now that you know the truck, do you still have the same thoughts? My Dad has a 2007 Ram and he actually hit his cab, lucky he didn't smash out the window, but they have an older Crossroads with the straight, flat front cap. He does not have a slider either, obviously
chillax_n77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2016, 11:08 AM   #11
Lawdog
Member
 
Lawdog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Montana
Posts: 41
Quote:
Originally Posted by chillax_n77 View Post
Truck is a 2016 Ram 2500 Crew Cab, had it a week New truck and camper, going to be an awesome Summer!! Anyway, so far the consensus is to save $$ and get the non-slider but now that you know the truck, do you still have the same thoughts?
Sweet truck. Congrats.

That may change things a bit. If you had a GM, I'd confidently say go for it. But, my limited understandings of the Ram is that their bed is a little shorter and your options depend on whether you use the factory pucks and so forth. I bet one of the Ram guys will help you soon.
__________________


RAM 3500 Cummins HO
2016 Cougar X-Lite 28RDB
Kawasaki Teryx 4 LE
Lawdog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2016, 08:04 PM   #12
Pmedic4
Senior Member
 
Pmedic4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Illinois
Posts: 581
RAM 2500 with factory Puck mounts

Have a Curt Q16 (non-slider) we use with our 291RLS, and really have never needed it. I figured that if I ever got close to a 90 degree angle, I'd watch to ensure the fiver didn't hit the cab, but really, when I'm in that situation, I've total forgot about watching, and just back the RV in. Afterwards, I always say to my DW, "I wonder how close it was to the cab?"
__________________
Ed & Mary

2017 Cougar 333MKS
2015 RAM 3500 HD with 6.4L

Pmedic4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2016, 08:13 PM   #13
theeyres
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Green Valley, AZ
Posts: 782
I used to have a short bed and and fiver with the square corners...not the new style. Still only used the slider once in several years. No need for it as long as you are careful.
__________________
Earl

2007 33.5' Arctic Fox Fifth Wheel used for full-timing for several years--now sold
2011 Hideout 23RKSWE that we now use for poking around local parks
2007 Chevy 3/4 ton diesel with Prodigy Brake Control
theeyres is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2016, 04:39 AM   #14
chillax_n77
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Northern MI
Posts: 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pmedic4 View Post
Have a Curt Q16 (non-slider) we use with our 291RLS, and really have never needed it. I figured that if I ever got close to a 90 degree angle, I'd watch to ensure the fiver didn't hit the cab, but really, when I'm in that situation, I've total forgot about watching, and just back the RV in. Afterwards, I always say to my DW, "I wonder how close it was to the cab?"
How do you like the Curt? This is the hitch I've been eyeing but I've heard they don't like to unlatch the pin very well. Sounds like I should be OK with a non-slider then as I have the same truck as you do in your sig, you have the 6.4' box, correct?
chillax_n77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2016, 04:53 AM   #15
bsmith0404
Senior Member
 
bsmith0404's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
I don't have an xlite, but I have towed several different 5ers with a short bed truck and have never used a slider. I will say with my older 5er (2003 model year) I was close to the cab a couple times, but was at some pretty tight angles. On the newer models I've owned (2008 and up) with contoured front caps, I've never been close. My dad still has a short bed, been towing 5ers for over 20 years and never used a slider. IMO, save your money, payload capacity, and your back.

Also, go with a heavier hitch than you need. I recommend an 18-20k hitch. If you ever decide to upgrade on trailer you'll have more than enough hitch. I initially bought a 15k hitch because it was more than enough for my trailer, 2 trailer upgrades later and the hitch had to be replaced.
__________________

Brent
2013 Alpine 3500RE
2019 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
U.S. Air Force Retired (25 yrs)
bsmith0404 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2016, 09:09 PM   #16
dfb
Gone Traveling
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by chillax_n77 View Post
Truck is a 2016 Ram 2500 Crew Cab, had it a week New truck and camper, going to be an awesome Summer!! Anyway, so far the consensus is to save $$ and get the non-slider but now that you know the truck, do you still have the same thoughts? My Dad has a 2007 Ram and he actually hit his cab, lucky he didn't smash out the window, but they have an older Crossroads with the straight, flat front cap. He does not have a slider either, obviously
The 2016 ram has a 6 foot 4 bed. I hit my 2015... I now have a superglide auto slider...
dfb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2016, 05:53 AM   #17
chillax_n77
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Northern MI
Posts: 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by dfb View Post
The 2016 ram has a 6 foot 4 bed. I hit my 2015... I now have a superglide auto slider...
I had my Dad bring over his 2008 Ram 2500 and hook up. He could get the RV about a 70-75º angle before coming within an inch of hitting his cab. If he continued any further the cab would have been struck so yeah, I'll be getting a slider!
chillax_n77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:10 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.