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Old 09-08-2019, 08:24 AM   #1
jasanto
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Ram 3500 short Bed

I have been rving for many years but Im at the point where i want to upgrade to a fifth Wheel. I have a 2018 Ram 3500 Cummins Mega Cab with the 6'4"bed. My wife and i are looking at the Alpine 3650RL and I was wondering especially with the new caps being tapered do i really need a slider hitch? I'm not to keen on getting the automatic (pull rite) so if i get anything it would be a manual slider.... I just don't know if I really need one? Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and safe travels
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Old 09-08-2019, 08:32 AM   #2
chuckster57
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Welcome to the forum

The old saying is you don't NEED it until you NEED IT!! having installed and working on both manual and auto sliders, I wouldn't bother with the manual ones. Others may disagree and that's fine, but I find that the manual sliders are a PITA to actually move from the towing position to the maneuvering position as it requires the truck and trailer to be just about straight on. My buddy towed a Montana with a SB chevy and a manual slider. Moving from CA to Montana he got into a situation that wouldn't allow him to shift the position of the hitch and ended up driving the rest of the way with no rear window and a damaged pillar.

I would get an auto slider and not ever worry about it again. PullRite is awesome but not the only one on the market. Demco makes one too. There may be other brands but my two choices would be the ones I have mentioned.
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Old 09-08-2019, 09:19 AM   #3
Laredo Tugger
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I have a short bed Ram 3500 with a manual Curt Slider. chuckster is correct,the alignment can be an issue. I just try to plan ahead and switch it on level ground before I need it. If I had to do it again I would probably go with the auto. I guess the only thing to get used to with the auto is when it moves independently on it's own making you wonder what was that until you get used to it.
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Old 09-08-2019, 09:22 AM   #4
chuckster57
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The Pull Rite slider has an adjustment bolt that will hold it in the most forward position and we have to adjust them after the customer has used it a few times. It seems they "loosen" up once the powdercoating is worn off. We have never had to do it a second time.
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Old 09-08-2019, 09:36 AM   #5
jim1
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We have a 2011 ram 3500 short box and a 2019 Cougar 315 RLS fifth wheel. Our pin box is a Reese Sidewinder rotating pin box. I haven't had any issues with this set up and we had the same set up on are last 5ver. It backs up nicely without worrying about hitting the cab. Check them out we really like this set up.
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Old 09-09-2019, 03:12 PM   #6
Tbos
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I have a 2019 Alpine 3651RL and tow with a long bed CC F350. There are times that cap has been real close. I try to make less dramatic turns now if possible. If my bed were 1’8” shorter I would definitely need a slider hitch.
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Old 09-09-2019, 03:40 PM   #7
jsb5717
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This issue has been discussed ALOT. Opinions are all over the place and experience will vary with the exact shape of the 5er nose. I've towed 5er's with a short boxes for over 20 years without incident. My current setup allows me plenty of radius.

There are limitless ways to damage your truck or trailer...all of them due to user error. Know your limitations, pay attentions, use a spotter if necessary, and don't be in too big of a hurry. If you feel better with a slider hitch then get one. I've never had one and don't plan to. Just be careful, safe, and enjoy the ride.
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Old 09-09-2019, 07:31 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsb5717 View Post
This issue has been discussed ALOT. Opinions are all over the place and experience will vary with the exact shape of the 5er nose. I've towed 5er's with a short boxes for over 20 years without incident. My current setup allows me plenty of radius.

There are limitless ways to damage your truck or trailer...all of them due to user error. Know your limitations, pay attentions, use a spotter if necessary, and don't be in too big of a hurry. If you feel better with a slider hitch then get one. I've never had one and don't plan to. Just be careful, safe, and enjoy the ride.

X2, I have a B&W non-slider and yes what jsb5717 said.
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Old 09-09-2019, 07:05 PM   #9
Tooth Ferry
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I've never forgotten anything or made a mistake but I will not be without an autoslider in case it ever happens. I have great confidence in my Pullrite.
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Old 09-10-2019, 03:52 AM   #10
RaptorJB
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I have pretty much the same truck, RAM 2016 MegaCAB dually. I tried it w/o a slider at 1st, but my driveway proved me wrong. It does depend on the RV, the elevation and angle so best to have it just in case you need it. I've been RV'n for a while, but only the last 2 years with a 5th wheel Raptor\slider that gets used all the time. The CURT 24K slider works well, just know they can be extra heavy. So my 2cents is only based on my last 2 years of experience with the RAM and Raptor using the CURT 24K. Slider gives back the 8 inches taken away from the MegaCAB. Hops this helps... RaptorJB
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Old 09-11-2019, 08:11 PM   #11
Fishsizzle
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Have. Demco auto slider. A guy just took his back window and smashed his cab 2 weeks ago here in the camp ground. He had a manual slider but thought he could make the turn without it.
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Old 09-19-2019, 08:24 AM   #12
marktaco
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I had an automatic Pull Rite hitch and loved it. It worked flawlessly. I would never buy a manual one.
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Old 09-19-2019, 08:34 AM   #13
pdaniel
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I have a 2016 Ram 3500 Megacab short bed. I pull a Grand Design Solitude 310GK using an Andersen Ultimate. No problems at all with this hitch.
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Old 11-30-2019, 11:27 AM   #14
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I have a 2016 Ram 3500 Megacab short bed. I pull a Grand Design Solitude 310GK using an Andersen Ultimate. No problems at all with this hitch.

Just received my Anderson and it will not drop into the slots of the standard rails. Off by .062" Did you have any issues???
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Old 11-30-2019, 01:38 PM   #15
pdaniel
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Just received my Anderson and it will not drop into the slots of the standard rails. Off by .062" Did you have any issues???
My 2016 has factory 5th wheel prep so the hitch incorporates the gooseneck connection. No rails.
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Old 09-20-2019, 04:13 PM   #16
CaptnJohn
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I pulled my last 3 fifth wheels with a F350 short bed. That bed is 6’9. I found a slider was only needed 3 times. I used a B&W manual slider . I like the hitch so much it is on my new dually long bed. Will not be needed but is a great hitch.
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Old 09-20-2019, 04:54 PM   #17
fjr vfr
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That's all anyone can give you is their personal experiences.

I also have the standard 6'4" bed. I bought a Curt A16 manual slider and after 10k plus miles have still not used it in the maneuvering position. Backing into my driveway is close to 90 degrees and slightly up hill and I still have plenty of clearance.
IMHO, if you think you might not need it get a manual slider just in case. If you have an older trailer and are pretty sure you'll need one go for the auto version.

Most of the newer trailers with the rounded corners and longer pin boxes have enough clearance without the slider.
Good luck finding the right one for you.
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Old 09-20-2019, 05:01 PM   #18
fjr vfr
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Oh, one other thing to consider. A manual slider is not much heavier than a non slider, but an auto slider is much heavier. So if you plan on removing it between trips weight could be an issue for you.
Again, good luck finding the right one for you.
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Old 10-14-2019, 06:37 PM   #19
Rambo
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Have you looked at the Anderson hitch? You can set the coupler to be back /off center to the rear end and get clearance for the cab. it is not adjustable when the RV is hooked up.
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Old 10-15-2019, 03:58 PM   #20
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I believe JA was a 'one and done."
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