Do I need a slider hitch?

[Tapley]

Hi all, First post concerning the 2021 337RLS we purchased today. I am looking for a clear answer on the hitch required to tow this trailer with a Chevy Silverado with a 6 foot 6 inch bed. I do not want a slider or a Turning Point hitch if I can avoid it. Two answers from the dealer, one from GD. Now I want an answer from someone who has this setup. I lean toward the BW Patriot 18K rail mounted hitch.
Thanks, Tapley

[Second Chance]

We towed our Reflection 337 for about 13,000 miles with a GMC 6'6" bed and no slider (Andersen Ultimate) - did fine. I could turn to about 80 degrees before getting nervous. The front caps of the new fifth wheels are designed well, but a lot depends on whether your hitch puts the pin slightly in front of (fairly common), directly over, or slightly behind the rear axle.

Rob

PS: loaded, our 337 consistently put 3,000 lbs. on the pin...

[Bungy]

Hi all, First post concerning the 2021 337RLS we purchased today. I am looking for a clear answer on the hitch required to tow this trailer with a Chevy Silverado with a 6 foot 6 inch bed. I do not want a slider or a Turning Point hitch if I can avoid it. Two answers from the dealer, one from GD. Now I want an answer from someone who has this setup. I lean toward the BW Patriot 18K rail mounted hitch.
Thanks, Tapley

I’m confused, the title of your post is “Do I need a slider hitch” and then in the body of your post you state “I do not want a slider”. Sounds like you’ve answered your own question.

[Tapley]

Sorry for confusing you, to clarify. I don't want a slider but I may need one...question is do I. All clear now?

[Bungy]

Sorry for confusing you, to clarify. I don't want a slider but I may need one...question is do I. All clear now?

Do you NEED a slider? Of course not, thousands tow without one with no problems. Do you WANT a slider? Possibly, for piece of mind. I love my Pullrite, never have to worry about the trailer contacting the truck under any circumstances. Some day you’ll find yourself in cramped quarters and you’ll be glad you have it, I know I have.

[Tapley]

Thanks for your helpful reply. I just don't want all the moving parts of a slider or perhaps worse a Turning Point hitch. However if there is a great possibility of doing damage to the front corners of the trailer or the truck cab I am going to seriously consider one of them. I towed a Titanium trailer for years which had a 5 foot "nose" in front of the pin but I did have an 8 foot box. I think it was theoretically possible to knock out the back window if you "jackknifed" the trailer coming down a rise on to a flat and all at an angle, fuel stops would be a good example.
I'll see what the installers have to say about behind the axle.

[Rapid1]

Hi all, First post concerning the 2021 337RLS we purchased today. I am looking for a clear answer on the hitch required to tow this trailer with a Chevy Silverado with a 6 foot 6 inch bed. I do not want a slider or a Turning Point hitch if I can avoid it. Two answers from the dealer, one from GD. Now I want an answer from someone who has this setup. I lean toward the BW Patriot 18K rail mounted hitch.
Thanks, Tapley

I have a similar setup with a 303 with a short bed Silverado and a Pullrite Superglide. Most talk about backing up and having to jacknife into a spot where, yes, you will need a slider. The situation I have been in required a sharp, nearly 90 degree turn into a driveway with quite a dip. Without the Superglide, I would either have run the cap into the cab, or been out in the road unlocking and extending my manual sliding hitch, in the rain, with a line of cars behind that may or may not have had infinite patience. In fact, when I come and go camping from my home, I have to make a U-turn in the culdesac at the end of my street. All of that said, I have never had to worry about any trailer/truck contact with Superglide, and a little wiping of the rails with a rag and then a spray of WD40 each trip is all that is needed. I have adjusted the center point bolt twice in 3 years. The capture plate has been removed twice for service and not needed any tightening in between. It is simply piece of mind and no hassles whatsoever. In our travels, we have spoken with many who have the Superglide and no one has been disappointed or would consider anything else. If you have a short bed, you need it, or one of the alternatives, or a lot of patience, or a lot of money to fix stuff...it only takes once.

[J Maguire]

Hi all, First post concerning the 2021 337RLS we purchased today. I am looking for a clear answer on the hitch required to tow this trailer with a Chevy Silverado with a 6 foot 6 inch bed. I do not want a slider or a Turning Point hitch if I can avoid it. Two answers from the dealer, one from GD. Now I want an answer from someone who has this setup. I lean toward the BW Patriot 18K rail mounted hitch.
Thanks, Tapley

You can see my setup in my signature. I don't use a slider and have no problems getting around with a short bed. Cheers!

[zinman]

Hi all, First post concerning the 2021 337RLS we purchased today. I am looking for a clear answer on the hitch required to tow this trailer with a Chevy Silverado with a 6 foot 6 inch bed. I do not want a slider or a Turning Point hitch if I can avoid it. Two answers from the dealer, one from GD. Now I want an answer from someone who has this setup. I lean toward the BW Patriot 18K rail mounted hitch.
Thanks, Tapley

@Tapley, Short story. Early fall 2006 with my 2005 F250 Superduty CC SB with 16k fixed Reese 5th wheel hitch towing my brandy new 2006 Alpenlite Voyager 34RL on maiden voyage to Paradise Shores RV in Bridgeport CA for fishing trip. Arrival time is 2130 and pitch black. Very tight back in at night without street lighting and beloved wife giving what assistance she could. Result, football sized dent in my right rear cab and gently crushed corner of my new 5th wheel. Wanna now what my next purchase was?? Yep, Superglide hitch. Never had to worry again. Don't ever think there wont come a time when you wont be forced into making a 90 degree turn pulling or backing your 5th wheel to get into or around something. As others have said it just comes down to your comfort level. Me? I positively know I don't have to worry about messing up my truck or RV again. Safe travels!

[st2rv]

I have a Reese Titan 16 slider and never ever used it.........yet. Someday I will be jumping for joy that I bought it. Last year my friend had to have his wife hold up the tail gate a bit to hook up on an angle......he wishes he had one.
They look cool too!!