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.

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.

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.

boagey · 08-25-2019, 09:58 AM

I have 2011 Chevrolet 2500 Duramax with a regular bed 6'5". I purchased a B&W Companion and use the gooseneck hitch that was in the truck, no rails or sliders.

larryflew · 08-29-2019, 07:10 AM

Our rig in not a short bed but came with a slider. My driveway is steep and at an angle so I do use the slider. It keeps the trailer back far enough not to hit the bed rail and makes the turn much easier. Have never used it other than getting back home. I would have to raise the hitch at least 3 inches if not for the slider.

a&j · 08-29-2019, 07:44 AM

I’ve had both. I started with the PullRite “auto” sliding hitch in my 2012 Chevy short bed (6 1/2 foot bed). I pull a Raptor 300MP which is a 2013 model. It has the “rounded up” corners and never came close to the two hitting, but then again the slider moved back 18 inches when turning and backing.
Last year I switched to the PullRite non sliding hitch which is like the Anderson hitch and I am much happier! I can remove the hitch by myself and don’t need to call upon my son-in-laws to help me remove or put the hitch back in!!!!
I sold my 2012 truck and just bought the 2020 Chevy and that difference is amazing as well! Good luck

BillMc · 08-29-2019, 08:30 AM

When I bought my Fifth wheel, everybody told me to buy a slider. It has 2 positions, normal Drive and Maneuvering. After a couple of trips and sliding it back and forth I got tired of screwing with it and moved it into the Maneuver slot and it’s never been moved again in 12 years. No problems with weight on the truck axle or bouncing while driving.

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