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Old 02-10-2015, 03:20 PM   #1
tribeal
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slider or no slider?

We just bought a Montana 3711fl. We have a SB sierra. The 2015's come with the max turn front cap. Whats the consensus? Do we need the slider hitch or not?
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Old 02-10-2015, 04:38 PM   #2
carwheel_09
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No, but you do have to be careful when turning or backing up sharply.
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Old 02-10-2015, 05:48 PM   #3
GmaPaTime
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No slider....
Just need to be aware that at very very sharp turns backing up, the kind that you're pushing the trailer sideways almost, you need to keep a close eye on it. It can and will hit if you don't pay attention.
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Old 02-10-2015, 06:05 PM   #4
therink
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I have a slider hitch in my 3rd SB truck. I have never needed to use the slider in the 5 yrs I have been pulling a fiver. You do have to pay attention though, especially when backing into an area with a side to side grade. The slightest camber tilt of the trailer will make the upper part of the fiver cap closer to the cab corner.
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Old 02-11-2015, 06:18 AM   #5
WaltBennett
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Montana's and most newer 5ers are designed so you would seldom need a slider. Older ones had squarish front ends and you couldn't turn much at all without one. Rounded fronts will allow pretty tight turns, but you still need to watch what you're doing.
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Old 02-11-2015, 12:07 PM   #6
tribeal
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Thanks for the info guys. gonna go with the B&W companion non slider
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Old 02-11-2015, 07:45 PM   #7
cdougmark
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I am new to 5th wheel and recently posed the same question here. After much research opted to go with the B&W Companion non slider as well. Picked up trailer last week and although I haven't been on an extended trip did several very sharp turns forward and backward and did not come close to hitting truck cab. Should be no problem getting in to any spot where we camp. May have to remove bed rails though as trailer came very close on off camber turns.
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Old 02-11-2015, 09:26 PM   #8
bobbecky
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In an ideal world, no, you do not need the slider. The only problem of course is, this isn't an ideal world. I've seen enough trashed rear windows and cabs on standard bed pickups with both conventional 5th wheels and several with the rounded noses. I'm sure the repairs to the cab and nose of the trailer far exceed the initial cost of a good slider. We fulltime, and do everything possible to avoid the expense of down time with the trailer in a shop while we waste time in a motel. You may not 'need' a slider, but it like insurance, you need it and you hope you never have to use it, but are usually thankful you have it when the need arises.
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Old 02-16-2015, 06:46 AM   #9
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2007 GMC short bed 4x4 club cab with 2014 Alpine 3010RE. Bought slider but have not needed yet. I think if I can I will always adjust my angle or something rather than submit the tires and wheels on the fiver to those kind of loads. Not to say I won't need my slider but the cap on my Alpine has nice radius and I just watch my angle and distance to rear window


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Old 02-16-2015, 04:48 PM   #10
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Slider or No Slider

The interesting part of the question and the answers, is, "no if you watch your turn angle, and how the camber tilts the trailer". When I got into a situation where I had to watch the sharp angle and the camber of the 5thwheel, I was so busy watching and concentrating on backing where I was going, I totally forgot about the angle and camber. Didn't hit, so I must of not gone to far!
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Old 02-16-2015, 06:04 PM   #11
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I recommend getting the slider just in case. I have in fact needed mine two different time in 2014. The first year owning a fifth wheel. Needed to make an extra tight backing turn maneuvering into a camp site. It just started to touch the cab then I released the slider. Talk about a oh snikies moment.

I'm in the it's good insurance mindset
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Old 02-17-2015, 05:32 PM   #12
C130
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RAINEY View Post
I recommend getting the slider just in case. I have in fact needed mine two different time in 2014. The first year owning a fifth wheel. Needed to make an extra tight backing turn maneuvering into a camp site. It just started to touch the cab then I released the slider. Talk about a oh snikies moment.

I'm in the it's good insurance mindset
Agree 100%, because it sure would suck to hit the cab of your truck and possibly damaging both the truck and the 5th wheel. What are the disadvantages of a slider, maybe a few hundred more dollars and heavier weight? Personally, I wouldn't want to take the chance and had rather concentrate on one thing; backing the trailer in. It's hard enough, at least to me, backing these trailers in to tight spots with lots of trees and with a slider it takes one more obstacle out of the equation plus it allows me to get in and out of tighter spaces if needed. I see no reason not to get a slider in a short bed and personally I liked the Pullrite I used as I didn't have to think about it, it was all automatic.
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Old 02-22-2015, 07:12 PM   #13
RedRover
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From my point of view you have only two choices. Buy a truck with an 8 foot bed or buy and install a slider hitch. When I get in trouble it's usually in a residential area and not a campground. Have you ever pulled off of a busy thoroughfare onto a dead end street and need to do a U turn. When you are "jackknifing" the trailer in this situation, you will be glad you made the investment.
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Old 02-25-2015, 10:19 PM   #14
NWCatOwner
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Okay, I'm new to this group and *very* new to RVs, especially 5th wheels. We're trying to decide what we want, so I'm checking out some of these threads.

My question is (please don't laugh!) - what the heck is the slider you're all talking about? It seems like it helps when turning your truck and 5th wheel, but that's all I can tell.

Thanks!
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Old 02-26-2015, 05:08 AM   #15
jsmith948
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The 5th wheel hitch is mounted on a slide mechanism that allows the hitch head to move back, away from the cab of the tow vehicle allowing tighter turning/backing. Some are manual and the Pullrite hitch slides automatically using a 'capture plate' on the pin box. The entire hitch head turns and cam rollers move the slider back and forth as the hitch head turns. If you google 'pullrite' or 'Reese slider' or 'Curt slider' you can compare the hitches.
If your TV has an 8ft bed, you don't need a slider. Also, with the rounded corners of many 5ers, many people simply use a standard hitch. The problem presents itself when someone attempts to jackknife their trailer to 90 degrees. With the trailer being 8' wide, the kingpin is 4' from the side. The trailer will hit the cab.
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