Fifth Wheel hitch question

Canadian Len · 08-22-2019, 08:24 AM

I have just purchased a 2011 GMC 3500HD SWD with the crew cab and has the short 6.5 ft box. Is it necessary to install a slider fifth wheel hitch or will the stationary one be OK? I tow a Cougar 367FLR trailer.
Thanks, Len

Canonman · 08-22-2019, 08:31 AM

You don't say if your GMC is a short bed, but on our Ram the bed is 6.5 ft. We use an Anderson Ultimate and no slider. Have made more than one U turn and tight backing turns with no issues.

Canadian Len · 08-22-2019, 08:54 AM

It has the short bed. I edited the question. Thanks.

Frank G · 08-22-2019, 09:26 AM

I have a slider and have never used it. Would not buy it again. I am not a Anderson fan either. Good lock with your choice. No matter what you decide it will be the right decision for you.

jimsny · 08-22-2019, 09:37 AM

Have 2019 f250 6.5 ft bed. Towing a cougar 32bhs . Had a slider hitch never used it . Took slider out put in stationary hitch never had problem.

Ranchhand · 08-22-2019, 11:07 AM

I have a 2011 Ram with a short box and last spring bought a 5th wheel and debated the same question. I ended up using a non slider hitch and have not been in a situation yet where I thought a slider hitch was necessary. Saying that. I definitely can’t turn 90 degrees more like 75 degrees on level ground. There is no doubt that the cab and the trailer could crash together if turning to tight or on unlevel ground. I did not buy a slider mostly due to the fact of the size and weight. I need to be able to take mine in and out on a regular basis. Do you have to have a slider hitch the answer is no. If you don’t pay attention when turning there is a chance that truck and trailer could come together with a non slider.

fjr vfr · 08-22-2019, 02:09 PM

If your trailer is the newer type with the rounded corners you should be okay without a slider.
I have a Ram with the 6'4" box. I bought a slider and have never used it. Our 5th wheel has the rounded corners and I've turned 90 degs no issues.
BTW, I like to call it a standard bed verses a short bed because today they really do have short beds, like 5' and 5' 5".

GHen · 08-22-2019, 02:12 PM

I have a 2017 Chevy 2500 short bed, don’t have a slider, never needed one.

I’m pretty sure the chevy’s are 6’6”.

My son has a Ram with a slider. Used it once to try it out, has not used it since.

Newer 5r’s have longer pin boxes and more angle to the cap. They call them 88 degree setups. Older 5r’s may need the slider.

I have read about a few people that have broken out a back window in their trucks, but that’s only when you get into a full 90 degree turn and at that point I would be more worried about bending an axel, springs or damaging tires. Pushing the rear tires sideways like that is just asking for trouble.

jsb5717 · 08-22-2019, 03:29 PM

I have the RAM short box and I love my Andersen...haven't had any issues. The pivot point is directly over the axle as it would be with a standard hitch. As a rule you shouldn't be turning tighter than 75-80 degrees anyway. I still pay attention if turning a little tighter but but have never had to turn so tight that I was at risk.

Get what you feel safe with and go camping!

Thomasbeau · 08-23-2019, 05:35 AM

I have a 2002 F250 Supercab with the 6.5 short bed with a 16K Reese Slider. We used to tow a 2005 Forest River Wildcat. There was one time where I didn't slide back the hitch back and we ended up with a nice dent in the top corner of my truck cab. The Wildcat was fine but I did have to take a trip to the body shop to pull the dent out of the top cab corner. Never made that mistake again.

Now with our 2018 Hideout it appears that the pin is much further forward so it's less likely the Hideout and the truck will make contact. However, I always use the slider when hitching because when the hitch is in the forward position the open tailgate will hit the camper before the pin is in the hitch. If the hitch is forward I need to remember to back up the truck to get the tailgate past the pin, get out and close the tailgate, then proceed with hooking up. Should I have to adjust or pull forwarded I need to keep opening and closing the tailgate to avoid damaging the truck or the fifth wheel. In my experience it's easier to just slide my hitch in the back maneuvering position and only close the tailgate once when the process is finished. I then slide the hitch into the towing position and I am on the road. Once I get to the destination I can slide it to the back, unhitch and no worries.

Can I do this all without the slider? The answer is "yes" but I get more piece of mind knowing that my tailgate is down and there is no chance I will damage the tailgate or the RV.

scarlson42 · 08-29-2019, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomasbeau

I have a 2002 F250 Supercab with the 6.5 short bed with a 16K Reese Slider. We used to tow a 2005 Forest River Wildcat. There was one time where I didn't slide back the hitch back and we ended up with a nice dent in the top corner of my truck cab. The Wildcat was fine but I did have to take a trip to the body shop to pull the dent out of the top cab corner. Never made that mistake again.

Now with our 2018 Hideout it appears that the pin is much further forward so it's less likely the Hideout and the truck will make contact. However, I always use the slider when hitching because when the hitch is in the forward position the open tailgate will hit the camper before the pin is in the hitch. If the hitch is forward I need to remember to back up the truck to get the tailgate past the pin, get out and close the tailgate, then proceed with hooking up. Should I have to adjust or pull forwarded I need to keep opening and closing the tailgate to avoid damaging the truck or the fifth wheel. In my experience it's easier to just slide my hitch in the back maneuvering position and only close the tailgate once when the process is finished. I then slide the hitch into the towing position and I am on the road. Once I get to the destination I can slide it to the back, unhitch and no worries.

Can I do this all without the slider? The answer is "yes" but I get more piece of mind knowing that my tailgate is down and there is no chance I will damage the tailgate or the RV.

We have an F350 shortbed. My experience is similar to that of Thomasbeau. With a standard pin box and non-sliding hitch, 75 degrees was about the maximum turning angle. After replacing the pin box with the “long jaw” Flex Air by Lippert, we can come close to a 90 degree angle without sliding the hitch. Summary: with an extended pin box, you may not need a sliding hitch, but having the sliding hitch and not needing it is cheaper than repairs to the trailer and cab when you need it.

philiprmcgovern · 08-29-2019, 01:12 PM

Having broken out two rear windows in my short box F250 and having put a sizeable dent in each side of the cab when the nose of the High Country met up with the cab of the truck in the same year, I know whereof I speak. The really comical part is that I had the B&W slider hitch installed when these little catastrophes happened. The problem was that I was too stupid or too lazy to get out of the truck and pull the slider lever on the hitch — both times! My advice would be to get the slider and, more importantly, to USE it whenever you just think that you might possibly need it. Replacing the two rear windows and fixing the two self-inflicted “dimples” was not cheap. Just saying.....

PS: We have since moved up to an F350 DRW

CaptnJohn · 08-23-2019, 08:24 AM

Get a 5er tailgate and everything is easy.

Thomasbeau · 08-23-2019, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Get a 5er tailgate and everything is easy.

CaptnJohn, easier said than done. My DW thinks the 5er tailgates are ugly. So in translation I should stop thinking about getting one, lol.

rhagfo · 09-05-2019, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Get a 5er tailgate and everything is easy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomasbeau

CaptnJohn, easier said than done. My DW thinks the 5er tailgates are ugly. So in translation I should stop thinking about getting one, lol.

Well the OP's TV is old enough that he may loose nothing with a 5er TG. If I placed one on our 2016 Ram I would loose the backup camera and an auto locking tail gate. I also have a roll up bed cover so I also loose the dry bed. With our old 2001, had the 5er TG, but don't see the advantage any longer.

Keithw · 09-05-2019, 11:02 AM

I crushed a cab corner by learning the hard way. Brand new Chevy 3500. My raptor has rounded corners. If you mount it correctly the hitch pin should be straight up from the axle which does not leave much room on a regular box.
B&W Patriot 18K is a manual slide and I use it ever time I back into my long winding driveway. I chalk my wheels on camper and lock into place. It is a two piece deal so it can be removed fairly easy. Still takes 2 people but I do it every fall and put back in every spring. Good luck!

Roscommon48 · 08-23-2019, 09:34 AM

No you dont but always have wife out looking when in tight spots

jsb5717 · 08-23-2019, 11:30 AM

I'm curious how common of a problem this is. My previous rig was a 2000 Ford F250 short box and I had adequate clearance between the lowered tailgate and the 5er. My current set up is similar as I can walk behind the lowered tailgate with 5er attached.

Is the Hideout shorter in the nose? Just wondering.

jim1 · 08-23-2019, 11:52 AM

Hi, we have a 2011 Ram 3500 short box and a 2019 Cougar RLS 315 with a Reese Sidewinder rotating pin box. No worry's about hitting the cab and it backs up more like a TT than a 5er. It is like having your hitch 2' further back in the truck and it works very good.We had the same set up on our last 5er but it was a factory installed Reese revolution rotating pin box. Probably would do the same on my next rig to.

Big1 · 08-23-2019, 08:06 PM

B&W Companion hitch no slider with the SB as you can see in the pics I turn the pivot arm around so I can have about 2" back farther. Normally I don't get into though tight places we mainly go to RV Resort that have pretty good spaces.

I have a slider before I had this setup and I never use the slider so when I bought my new ram with the factory puck system I opt not getting the slider this time, so if I find myself getting into a place that I have to make a tight turn I will go out and do a better job on backing up.

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