Community Forums

TRNewsom · 07-03-2022, 04:39 PM

We have a 3500 Ram short bed with a Goosebox. Can turn 90 degrees if needed but try not to.

Wileykid · 07-04-2022, 07:02 AM

I have a Reese Sidewinder on my trailer due to having a RAM 3500 short bed. I needed weight up front for additional pin weight, which the Sidewinder did, over a sliding hitch. I can do a 90* turn if needed, and most important, my driveway is about a 5-7* uphill from the road, and backing in brings the nose of the trailer down, and would most likely hit the cab of the truck in the turn from the road. Otherwise, I would have a Gen-Y hitch on the trailer.

tjrob2000 · 07-11-2022, 04:32 PM

We got a 2018 Ram 3500 LB. Took the rig to the park we'll be living in and can now do a 90 no problem. Much less stressful.

CecilD · 07-12-2022, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjrob2000

We got a 2018 Ram 3500 LB. Took the rig to the park we'll be living in and can now do a 90 no problem. Much less stressful.

Straight forward fix. Plus, you get to keep a fine hitch.

Joe442 · 09-25-2022, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wileykid

I have a Reese Sidewinder on my trailer due to having a RAM 3500 short bed. I needed weight up front for additional pin weight, which the Sidewinder did, over a sliding hitch. I can do a 90* turn if needed, and most important, my driveway is about a 5-7* uphill from the road, and backing in brings the nose of the trailer down, and would most likely hit the cab of the truck in the turn from the road. Otherwise, I would have a Gen-Y hitch on the trailer.

Can you tell me where you purchased the sidewinder. Not many options out there. Also, what hitch have you paired it with? I may do this or an autoslider.

Wileykid · 09-25-2022, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe442

Can you tell me where you purchased the sidewinder. Not many options out there. Also, what hitch have you paired it with? I may do this or an autoslider.

I bought both the Sidewinder, and the Reese M5 20K hitch at Etrailer. If I were to do it again, I would go with the Companion hitch, better quality.

When looking online, someone could be cheaper, but charge $$$ for shipping, making it more expensive.

Also make sure to get (buy) the wedge specific to the hitch you have. The generic one that comes with it can be a little loose.

MtCamper · 09-25-2022, 04:27 PM

Those Megacabs have shorter beds than the standard bed trucks. Yes, you need a slider depending a bit on your pin box and the shape of the front of the camper. Is your cab creased or just dented? If it has a crease it needs a bodyshop. If it's a smooth dent, try removing the trim on the inside of the dent and pushing it out. Maybe a paintless dent repair place. I traded for a new truck this year and it's a long bed. First long bed in 25+ years of towing 5ers. Always used a B&W Companion non-slider hitch.

Joe442 · 09-26-2022, 02:56 AM

Thanks. I have to rethink this. If I had a hitch already the sidewinder sounds great but to get that and a hitch at this point I’m looking at over $3000. May just have to go for the Demco slider.

JIMNLIN · 09-26-2022, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Those Megacabs have shorter beds than the standard bed trucks.

.....Dodge/Ram 2500/3500 '03 and up 3rd gen short beds are all 6" 4" regardless of cabs.

traveldawg · 09-26-2022, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjrob2000

We got a 2018 Ram 3500 LB. Took the rig to the park we'll be living in and can now do a 90 no problem. Much less stressful.

Good choice - getting a long bed. I used sliders in my past short beds but just went to a long bed and switched to a Reese Goosebox. As you learned, the hard way, short beds without slides just never work out.

TRNewsom · 09-27-2022, 08:12 AM

We tow our 40ft with a 2020 3500 Ram SB and a Reese Goosebox. We turn 90° backing in our driveway every time we return home.

txdutt0629 · 09-27-2022, 05:30 PM

My Chevy is a 8’ bed, previous points about how less stressful it is in manuevering are spot on. Another benefit in not having to use a slider hitch is I can remove the fixed hitch myself when I need the truckbed empty, a slider would be close to 75 to 100 lbs heavier.

MN_Camper · 09-30-2022, 03:06 PM

I've got an F250 short box with an 18K Demco Autoslide. Only problems I've had is with the under bed mount...it's a little finicky with the half turn pins. I've had to replace a couple. When it was installed the shop didn't use any anti seize. Now that's an annual maintenance item. Since we live in the great white north I comes out in the winter.

The manual sliders are lighter, but I've been in a few spots where I had to do a U-turn on a divided highway and wouldn't have been able to safely adjust the slide.

It is HEAVY! At some point my better half and I plan to full time and we'll upgrade truck and rig.

BTW Demco support has been great! Had some parts shipped out and received 2 days later (in the worst case).

DaveDsl · 09-30-2022, 04:09 PM

Really looking forward to attaining a decent used Toy Hauler fifth wheel to put behind my project truck, Know will likely opt to a Air Cushioned pin box for the trailer as the truck is already air ride and a Class 8 Semi.
Currently exploring pin set off dimensions as usually detailed on Commercial trailers but little to no help from manufacturer reps or sales staff, I generally get a response as 'Pin Setting, its on the nose of the trailer cannot miss it' or "Set up for the common 3500 series trucks, not sure if can even pull with a Semi"

Those sales people I am staying away from. Been looking at various machines where if anyone has a Toy hauler Fifth Wheel and can measure from the Pin to the Trailer Structure closest to the pin. My Semi is equipped with Fenders where pin to furthest outboard corner may be too tight and I may end up either remounting the Slide Table Rearward or adding mounts behind the Semi Fifth Wheel so can situate a RV type wheel as I am attempting to maintain use both as a RV Toter and a Real Work Truck for our farm.