Reflection 150 Series - Fixed Hitch or Lockable Slider?

[Edgera]

This weekend we are making the jump from a TT to our first 5th wheel! Up until recently, we did not think this would be possible due to our tow vehicle being a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie with a 5'7" bed. Then along came the Reflection 150 Series, specifically made for this situation! We're getting the Reflection 230RL.

In talking with the reps at Grand Design, they said that we should be fine with a standard fixed hitch in almost every situation (as stated in their literature). However, in some extreme turns and/or on uneven ground, there is still a possibility of contact. If that is potentially troubling (and it is), then a simple traditional horseshoe style slider hitch without a pivoting head would be recommended.

Dealer is recommending a fixed hitch. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Anyone have this same situation: sidewinder pin box (Turning Point Swivel Pin Box), 5'7" truck bed? Let us know what hitch you're using and how you like it. In our limited research, we're having a hard time even finding a slider hitch that doesn't pivot or can be locked!!

Thank you,
Amy

 

[Jmikev]

FWIW, I have used both the sidewinder and the Pullrite on my previous 5th wheel. I did not like the handling and the side loads/torque the sidewinder did to the pickup. Also had trouble with the wedge in the capture plate not staying tight. Ended up making my own wedge out of heavier steel and an extra bolt added to hold it. Bottom line I am happy with the
Pullrite and will not ever go back to the Sidewinder based on my personal experience. Using the Pullrite on my Solitude.

 

[Cate&Rob]

Amy - We have a Reese Titan 16K manual slider hitch that I think would take the wedge plate to allow you to use the swivel pinbox and be able to manually slide the hitch back if you needed to. (I am not absolutely sure of this . . . best to check with Reese). A pivoting pin box and an auto slider hitch will not work together.

Slider hitches are typically heavier than comparable non-sliders . . . this is something that you should factor into your plan. Just out of curiosity, what is the payload (total weight of contents and occupants) listed on the door label of your Ram 1500?

Rob

 

[Ctdecuir]

I have a new Ford F150 with 6.5' bed, and am looking to purchase a 230RL. Even though my F150 has a payload rating of 2368, I would still like to get a light fixed hitch. The hitch I am looking at is a Demco Recon 21K, which is less than 100 lbs (not including the custom rail kit). So far, I haven't seen anything that tells me this hitch won't work. This is a relatively new hitch, so there is not many reviews on it; however, it would be a LOT better than having a hitch that weighs well over 200 lbs, and it comes with a standard 5th wheel head. You might consider looking at this hitch - link below:

https://www.demco-products.com/rv-towing/hijacker/premier-series/21k-recon-light-weight

 

[warsw1]

I have a 21K lb Reese Pro series hitch with a manual slider. I went with a Sidewinder pin box and kept the manual slider just because I already had it. The Sidewinder works just fine with this hitch. On the Reese pro series hitch the slider is just a different base that is changed and the hitch itself stays the same. BTW I really like the Sidewinder pin box. It works great and other than I no longer have to worry about the trailer hitting the cab I can feel no difference from the stock hitch in how the trailer tows and handles.

 

[BabyBober]

so here is the deal. A Reese Sidewinder or Lippert turning point moves the pivot point back 22" +/-. No manual or auto slider other then the demco 13K autoslider will give you that much range and any slider hitch will add a lot more weight in your truck then you want. Every lb counts. If those extremes in turning are an issue for you there is nothing out there to correct it. Now all that being said RAM trucks are notorious for their lack of payload. Look very closely at your yellow sticker on the door frame of your truck and see what YOUR payload is for that truck with all its options. You might be surprised how little you actually have and a 230 may not be for you...

 

[Ctdecuir]

I sent a email request to Demco about the Recon 21K working with a Reflection 150 Series and the Turning Point Pivot pin box - following is the response:

"Yes, the Demco Recon hitch for Industry Standard Bed Rails will work with the Turning Point Pin Box. The Turning Point Pin Box should come with a supplied wedge on the underside of the pin box bolted in a storage position. The wedge will need to be moved from the storage position and put in place. When you hook up to the trailer for the first time, you would put the wedge in place by using the short side against the King Pin. Adjust it in place following the Turning Point Instructions."

Chad

 

[Cate&Rob]

so here is the deal. A Reese Sidewinder or Lippert turning point moves the pivot point back 22" +/-. No manual or auto slider other then the demco 13K autoslider will give you that much range and any slider hitch will add a lot more weight in your truck then you want. Every lb counts. If those extremes in turning are an issue for you there is nothing out there to correct it. Now all that being said RAM trucks are notorious for their lack of payload. Look very closely at your yellow sticker on the door frame of your truck and see what YOUR payload is for that truck with all its options. You might be surprised how little you actually have and a 230 may not be for you...

Jim (BabyBober) - If the OP needs more than the 22" to the pivot point of the articulating hitch, a manual slider could be used to move the attachment point of the hitch to the truck about 10" back from the centerline of the rear axle. I don't expect that anyone has much real world information about towing a 5th wheel with a 5 1/2 ft box . . . although, this is what GDRV shows in the video clip on the Reflection 150 page. It does look close in the video, on perfectly level ground . . . so, I can see the concern.

We both had the same question about Ram 1500 payload, although most of the discussion has been about the Ecodiesel. Perhaps a truck with the gasoline powertrain has significantly more payload .

Rob

 

[Edgera]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! We have learned a LOT over the last week or so. Sadly, we figured out what some of you were already saying...although we have the power to pull, we do not have the payload capacity to carry this 5th wheel. So the deal is dead in the water. I'm disappointed - I was very excited about the possibility of movin' on up! But as we just paid this truck off, we are not currently in the market for a larger truck with a longer bed. We are instead going back to our original option - the Imagine 2150RB. It's a beautiful small TT that will be easy to tow and well suited for us! Then maybe in 4 or 5 years we can re-visit our options.

Thanks again! Sorry to get everyone thinking and researching all for naught.

 

[klenger]

The Imagines are very nice trailers and will be much more enjoyable to tow and travel in. Enjoy and stay safe.

 

[BabyBober]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! We have learned a LOT over the last week or so. Sadly, we figured out what some of you were already saying...although we have the power to pull, we do not have the payload capacity to carry this 5th wheel. So the deal is dead in the water. I'm disappointed - I was very excited about the possibility of movin' on up! But as we just paid this truck off, we are not currently in the market for a larger truck with a longer bed. We are instead going back to our original option - the Imagine 2150RB. It's a beautiful small TT that will be easy to tow and well suited for us! Then maybe in 4 or 5 years we can re-visit our options.

Thanks again! Sorry to get everyone thinking and researching all for naught.

No problem. As far as I am concerned the forum did its job. You had a question and got your answer. Just because it wasn’t the answer you hoped is OK. It is much better to learn now rather then after the fact. You will love your Imagine. To be honest you may be able to pull some of the smaller reflection TT’s too.

 

[WhittleBurner]

With all the new trailers and better layouts they are always coming out with, by the time your ready you will probably be happy you waited.