5th Wheel Hitches for 6'6" Standard Bed Size

[SkiSmuggs]

Originally Posted by roothoss1282

I have a 2015 F-250 XLT with a short bed or 6'9" and still don't no if I have to have a slider?? Maybe there isn't a yes or no answer to this but you would think there would be, I mean will I ever get the truck and trailer in such a bind that the trailer will get into the cab. Seems pretty simple that if it can happen then I will get a slider but if it can't why get one. Does it all depend on what kind of trailer you get? I have not got on yet but am doing some shopping and would sure be nice to no what I am suppose to be looking for. And I no I am going to hear why take a chance but seems there should be an answer to this.

I have the 2015 F350 SB with a stardard Reese 16K hitch. My fiver has the cut away lower corner with an extended pin box. There is a decal on one of the corners that says "Max Turn Technology". That is what you need in a fifth wheel. Many of the larger full-time units don't have that, but many of the lighter (under 15K GVWR) are coming that way. I switched from a Sidewinder to a MorRyde pin box 2,000 miles ago and have had no issues.

[roothoss1282]

Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs

I have the 2015 F350 SB with a stardard Reese 16K hitch. My fiver has the cut away lower corner with an extended pin box. There is a decal on one of the corners that says "Max Turn Technology". That is what you need in a fifth wheel. Many of the larger full-time units don't have that, but many of the lighter (under 15K GVWR) are coming that way. I switched from a Sidewinder to a MorRyde pin box 2,000 miles ago and have had no issues.

Thanks for getting back with me SkiSmuggs. would be nice to hear from other people that have the F-250 SB or 6'9" box. The more info the better. Thanks again

[Timay]

I have an F250 with the shortbed...I bought the Demco 18K autoslide as seen at the link. I have a 2002 Holiday Rambler Alumascape...when I bought it the guy threw in the hitch, which was a Reese manual slider. I could never get it to slide so I bought the Demco because the Demco needs no 'key' (capture plate) which means I can pull anything with out worrying about finding a proper capture plate.

Apparently the guy I bought the trailer from couldn't get the Reese to slide either, as both sides of his cab had the 'beauty marks' where the trailer punched his cab in - no damage to the trailer, though.

On our first trip we were in a strange town and I turned onto a street that was a dead end and I had to turn around. I had the trailer to 90°, maybe a skosh more. When we got back to the main road I told my wife the hitch just paid for itself!

Oh - watch the video in the above link to see the hitch in action. Click on the video tab at the bottom of the hitch picture.

Tim

[Army Nurse]

Originally Posted by Timay

I bought the Demco because the Demco needs no 'key' (capture plate) which means I can pull anything with out worrying about finding a proper capture plate.

That's brilliant! I like the way they clamp to the pin box, instead of using a separate capture plate.

As for the OP's question of whether or not it's really needed... The thing about a slider in a short bed is that you don't need it until you need it. But, the one time you do need it, it'll save you the extra cost of the hitch. My $0.02 worth, get a long bed, or buy the slider. Either way, happy trails!