slider

[jamieline]

the folks without the slider do you wish you had one?
The folks with one how much do you use it?
we just signed on a 337RLS and have a F350 short bed. I've been told I don't need a slider with the 337.

 

[Glazier]

Yes I would buy a sliding hitch if using less than an 8' bed. You might not need a sliding hitch with your combination, 8' wide trailers with radius front turn really well. I have used mine once, the time I used it I could not have turned without it. Another problem when turning close to 90 degrees with a fifth wheel is your pin box hitting the inside of the bed, not to mention the strain on your wheels and tires. Extended pin boxes get very close in a jacked position to destroying the inside of your bed, long before you get close to the cab with the trailer.

 

[Lingerlonger]

I tow a 337RLS with a short bed F250 and use a manual slider.
I use it every time to back into my driveway, and have used it several times at campsites. Even had to use it once at a small gas station.

You may be able to get by without it but "When you need it, You need it!"

Be very cautious if you decide to go without it. And don't get lazy or in a hurry about using it, especially if you don't have a lot of experience with a 5W.

(I plan to eventually get an automatic slider, because I DID get in a hurry once and put a small ding in my truck cab.)

K

 

[TNFLineage]

Echo Glazier and Lingerlonger; I too use mine regularly, from backing into the drive to various campground sites. You've spent a lot of money for your camper and truck combination, don't go cheap on the hitch. I use a Reese 16K slider with no problems, but I've just seen some info on the PullRite automatic model. I may have to look into that just for kicks. Just my 2 cents here, good luck with what you decide.

 

[Canyonlight]

There are several comments on this site about dents and dings and damage to pu and rv from those w/o a slider but none from those having a slider when using it for pu trucks with less than 8 foot beds. Considering the measurement fron hitch pin location to the back of your pu and 50% of rv witdth, how sharp of a turn can be made and assuming the rv does not tip which could make the situation worse.

We have a super glide 16k auto slider.

Dan

 

[Phansen404]

I've had one since the first 5th wheel and I only have it for insurance. I've used it less than 5 times but was glad I had it when I needed it.

 

[Cate&Rob]

I posted this a while ago on another thread . . . I have a manual Reese slider and use it all the time, for a few reasons in addition to avoiding cab/camper contact. I hitch in the aft maneuver position because I have a clearer view of the hitch through the back window of my crew cab. In the aft position, I can open the tailgate even if the truck is not exactly aligned to the camper. With the hitch pushed back, I have a lot more room to get at the front storage compartment where I keep all my chocks and blocks. And lastly, it seems to me that the camper reacts more quickly to steering inputs when backing with the pin being 10" behind the rear axle centreline rather than when it is centered over the axle, in the tow position.

Rob

 

[sersteve01]

Interesting, I never considered backing my fifth wheel in my driveway with the slider back , I'll give it a try. My TT backed into my driveway very easily, but I seem to have difficulties getting my fifth wheel in on the first shot.