Do i need a slider?

[jerseyphil]

[ATTACH]32972[/ATTACH

This is the Front Cap of my 10 year old Cougar 318SAB. Just sold the Ford F250 Crew Cab Short Bed I pulled it with. Had a Slider Hitch in the bed. I used the slider part a few times, NOT because I needed to, but "Just to be Safe".

I am now planning to buy a new Ford F350] Crew Cab Short Bed.

DO I REALLY NEED TO GET A SLIDER?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

[JDDilly]

When I had my short bed, I liked the slider, just in case. I didn't use it that often, but it was nice when I needed it.

[bobbecky]

We have always had a slider, first one a manual slider, then upgraded to a Pullrite auto slider. We have seen many damaged cabs and blown out rear windows in the past ten years, and I’m sure everyone of those, the driver felt they didn’t need a slider. Just like insurance, you hope you never need it, until you do.

[jerseyphil]

Originally Posted by bobbecky

We have always had a slider, first one a manual slider, then upgraded to a Pullrite auto slider. We have seen many damaged cabs and blown out rear windows in the past ten years, and I’m sure everyone of those, the driver felt they didn’t need a slider. Just like insurance, you hope you never need it, until you do.

Yes. That's why I went with the slider with my F250. It gives you a comfort level knowing if you NEED it, you Have it. Guess I'll get another Slider. Looking at the B&W Companion.

Thanks for your input.

[chuckster57]

I have installed numerous B&W hitches, they are nice!! Demco also makes a decent auto slider that doesn’t use a “capture plate” on the pin box.

[Dhuhn]

I agree with Bob that’s why I have a slider

[jasin1]

I had a slider in my shortbed Ram, don’t know if you have considered it but a 8’ bed is really nice.
I wouldn’t rule it out if you want to have extra payload and extra room for aux fuel tank and anything else you may want to carry.
I have a dually and 8’ bed, I didn’t think I would like it but have been really impressed with the extra room and I think the fords look good with a srw and long bed although the dually looks much better IMO

[Cbrez]

I didn’t think we needed a slider - until we did. Made contact with the cap twice. Fortunately both times I was baking up slowly and stopped immediately upon hearing the contact. Avoided damage both times but two close calls was enough.

[notanlines]

Phil, what you are going to learn is that there is no definitive answer to your question. They certainly are nice 'when you need them.' Kind of like 4 wheel drive. We have the Demco and no capture plate (actually have the auto-slide disconnected) and it worked fine with the Raptor for four years. If you are careful maybe you won't need it....but what if you do?

[Hblick48]

Wouldn't be without one in a short bed. Mine is a manual Reese, so its a PITA.

Couple of times I should have used it, but didn't. I've got dents on both sides of my cab by the rear window. I broke the window once, and the Alignment Technician broke it when maneuvering the rig into the alignment bay.

Next time I'll get an automatic one.

[Wing-in-it]

get the slider.....I originally had a Heartland with the nose that was short bed friendly....then I got the Fuzion and I figured I was okay....well three back glasses later.....the boss said get that darn slider already! ��

[dutchmensport]

If you have a short bed, you can't go wrong getting a slider. Get it, and you'll have no regrets later.

[Camp CA]

Your call..........I towed for years with a F250 short bed with a non-functioning manual slider hitch without an issue. I eventually replaced it with a Pullrite slider hitch for maneuvering flexibility. Now have a F350 crew cab DRW long bed...........never go back to a SRW short bed.

[James R Moneypenny]

You'll feel more comfortable having all the contingencies covered. I drive a 2016 F250 short bed with a slider hitch and pull a 2017 Keystone Avalanche 35' 5th wheel. First trip I swung around a large parking lot and put a dent in the passenger side rear window frame. Small dent. have never actually used the slider - was always afraid the whole assembly would pull out - and ahve never had a need to use it. That first incident made me gun shy about backing up or pulling into a very tight turn and so long as you keep an eye on it, it is rarely an issue. The slider probably doesn't cost much more and now they make them "automatic". If I have to do over I'll get the easy to use slider.

[Camping family]

While do I need a slider or don’t I need a slider that’s a question no one can answer but you. How confident are you that you will never need it or that you will never turn so much that your rig will bust out the back window on the truck. Me I could not convince myself I would never need it so I got the pull right auto slider for my short bed f250. Did I need it while the dealer said problem not because the way my front cap is designed. But I’m one,of those guys who would rather be safe then sorry and didn’t want to run a good camping adventure with a broke rear window.

[LewisB]

Originally Posted by jerseyphil

[ATTACH]32972[/ATTACH

This is the Front Cap of my 10 year old Cougar 318SAB. Just sold the Ford F250 Crew Cab Short Bed I pulled it with. Had a Slider Hitch in the bed. I used the slider part a few times, NOT because I needed to, but "Just to be Safe".

I am now planning to buy a new Ford F350] Crew Cab Short Bed.

DO I REALLY NEED TO GET A SLIDER?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

We have an F350 DRW with an 8' bed and we use a slider! Why? Sliders are almost always used to limit damage between the corner of the trailer and the truck bed during a turn. I don't recall anyone addressing the issue of the trailer front compartments. So, what is in that front compartment of your trailer? And how badly do you need to get into that compartment while connected? Can you access it without a slider? Do you need to drop the tailgate while connected? Is there room?

Our last two rigs have been big toy haulers with the generator and the propane tanks in the front compartments of the trailer. With a DRW and an 8' bed, it was not possible to access these compartments with a standard hitch. The swing-up compartment doors hit the back of the truck before being opened. (Photo) So we have used a slider that allows access to these compartments while hooked up.



This could be completely unique, but I doubt it. Part of your slider/no slider decision should be consideration of the potential need to access the front under-the-overhang compartments of your trailer. When we stop for the night and plan to stay connected, I slide the hitch to the "maneuvering" position, giving me the space needed to access the forward compartments. This also gives me space to drop the tailgate of the truck, unload firewood, etc. Before we leave the next morning, I just slide the hitch back up to the "travel" position.

Just something to consider...

[drew999999]

Another short-bed slider owner here. I went through the same mental gymnastics as you are about whether I really needed it or not, and decided to go with the sliding hitch. I've only needed to use it twice in the past 2 years, but during both of those times, I'm glad I had it. I went with the B&W and really like it.

The biggest downside is the weight. Its a beast at about 300lbs. I added a cheap electric hoist to my garage which makes taking it out or reinstalling a 5 minute job.