5er Questions

[FTAP]

Thanks SkiSmuggs!

[FTAP]

Whoa, I just priced Demco autoslider.
Maybe I can get the pullrite cheaper?
It's pricey as well though.
Is there a used market that anyone knows of?

[BCooke]

When I had picked up mine, when I had the SB, I found it in Craig's list.

[BRS50]

I've had a Pull Rite Super Glide 16k for 10 years and the hitch has been great. I've made turns that would be impossible with my SB truck and a non slide hitch. Though the maneuverability is the big feature I'd rate the safety of the locking mechanism a major plus too. There's no pinch type set up that can open up. It's got a spring loaded collar that wraps completely around your pin automatically. When that release arm pops out to the safety detent and I can see that silver collar around the pin looking in from behind I know I'm solidly hitched no pull test with the jacks down needed. It's a super safe design and really helps with an SB truck.

[FTAP]

Thanks BRS50. I'm a carpenter so. I know my way around tools. Any real difficulty installing one myself? I take it you drill through your bed. Are there reinforced spots to shoot for?

[BCooke]

There were 2 under bed brackets that got mounted to the frame.

[Bamaman]

With the under bed brackets, you can go with universal brackets (and drilling is often required) or you can go with 'custom brackets' that are designed to the holes already drilled into your existing frame.

Either matches through holes to a set of somewhat generic rails that your hitch mounts to with 4 pins.

The custom brackets appear to be so much heavier duty than the universal brackets.

[SkiSmuggs]

You might consider a Reese Sidewinder/Revolution pin box. The Pullrite weighs 300-350 lbs while a Reese 16K hitch weighs 100 lbs. Almost 12K miles of towing and I can go more than 90 degrees with my 5'7" bed. The Sidewinder doesn't weigh any more than the OEM pin box and moves the pivot point from the truck bed to the pin box turret.
See this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I6w04tAnm8

[BRS50]

FTAP,
We had our dealer install the Pull Rite but as the posts above mention the under bed brackets match up with existing holes in the frame, you do have to drill four holes in the bed for the mounting pins. The pins are easily removable so you get full use of your bed when you pull the hitch. The Pull Rite is a little heavier than a standard hitch. I put mine on the 1000# scale at my business and it weighed 230# with the brackets your looking at 250#. The Sidewinder certainly looks effective but it's just very long extended pin box. Unlike the Sidewinder which moves the trailer back 22" all of the time the Pull Rite keeps your tow length shorter and just moves back when you make a turn of more than 16 degrees. They've also gone to Slip Plate a long lasting coating for rail lubrication so you don't have to hit the rails with white lithium grease before every trip. The Slip Plate just needs to be renewed annually. I do keep the spring loaded hitching mechanism lubed with a liberal application of WD-40 a few times a season. As I pointed out before that safe collar around the pin design is a big plus in addition to the maneuverability.

[SkiSmuggs]

The Sidewinder is not just an extended pin box; it moves the pivot point back 22", not the fiver.

[6.6]

Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs

The Pullrite weighs 300-350 lbs

mine weights 250 according to the scale at work

[SkiSmuggs]

Originally Posted by 6.6

mine weights 250 according to the scale at work

My numbers came from a guy on the F150 Forum who had one and had to install a lift under it to clear the bed rails, so the lift was included in his weight and think it was a SWAG.

[FTAP]

Wow! That is really something. Thanks for the tip. Any consumer reports on it yet?