Community Forums

ridahog · 10-16-2011, 07:55 AM

my friend busted out his cab window on his ford 6' bed because he forgot to move his slider back. I bought a Coachmen Chaparrel that has a front end cap that allows you to tow it with a 6' bed w/o a slider. I would say it all depends on what 5th wheel you purchase. I'd get the slider hitch for those tight places you may need to back into if the 5er doesn't have the front end mentioned above.

Maverick50 · 10-23-2011, 07:02 AM

I had a 36' 310SRX Keystone Cougar towing it with a Dodge Ram 2500 6.7L with a 6.5 bed. Reese 16K Locking Bar Hitch with a slider for backing up. Got smart and replace pin box with a Reese Sidewinder/5th Airborne pin box. Great for backing up. THEN!!! Driving down Interstate 80. We were passed by two semi's that were hi-balling. 36' Cougar got a tail wag and we were in the ditch. Truck came disconnected, rolled twice, One dog got killed and other dog out in the wild for 13 days. Reese 16K Locking Bar Hitch with the Reese Sidewinder/5th Airborne pin box has a DESIGN DEFECT!!!! I can prove it, I have the PIN BOX! Lawyers won't touch the case because NO ONE was injured seriously. REESE hitches are CRAP! There are far superior hitches available. CURT, PULLRITE, TRAILERSAVER…..

ralphie · 10-23-2011, 02:37 PM

Short answer is "yes." Go to the Pullrite site and look up SuperGlide. I could not tow a FW without my SG hitch because I have a 5-1/2ft bed. Only thing bad about SG is the price!

motojavaphil · 10-25-2011, 08:25 AM

I have been always been a fan of short-bed, SRW drive fifth wheel puller. The advantages are obvious once the 5r is parked for in-town and off-road use. The two rigs that come to mind for towing like this are the Titanium and Montana's. That said, once you get the heavier 5r's the DRW, even an MDT or HDT is preferred. I have had the 5r make contact with the cab when I first started RVing, learned from it and moved on. Good luck with your choice!

KSDP_PA · 10-25-2011, 08:47 AM

before MH, we had 33' 5er and a short bed F250 AND a Pull-Rite Super-Glide hitch.

would not have been without the Super Glide.
it was a great setup.

never worried about the 5er meeting the back window of the truck.

majorloser · 10-26-2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralphie

Only thing bad about SG is the price!

Still a heck lot cheaper than getting body work done on the truck cab or fiberglass work done on the trailer. And if you're going to get the SuperGlide, might as well spend a couple hundred dollars more and add BedSaver to the hitch. Just consider the cost an insurance policy.

Unfortunately, convenience of use and peace of mind don't usually come cheap now days.

faye · 10-27-2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron55

can you tow a 5th wheel with a 6'bed pickup? If yes any problems different than 8' bed? I am moving from m/h to 5th wheel.

we have a f250 short bed and do not have the slider and have no problems, however placement of the hitch is very important .

goodtime · 11-02-2011, 07:32 AM

if your 5ther has rounded corners in the front no need for slider if not u must have slider .

ajlcal · 11-03-2011, 11:30 AM

I personally prefer a long bed truck. No need for a slide or special pin box or levers or maintenance on any other option to eliminate the short bed problem. I had a sidewinder on my previous short bed rig and didn't like it. A long bed is only 1 1/2' - 2' longer and eliminates the problem.

Always-RVing · 11-03-2011, 11:46 AM

If you get a slider hitch there are no problems using a short bed.

JIMNLIN · 11-03-2011, 06:49 PM

I've owned long bed trucks and short bed trucks pulling 5th wheel and GN trailers. One wasn't better than the other.

Both of my current trucks are short beds crew cabs for being able to use the garage.
Many GM short bed owners report having a slider but never use it as GM has a longer dimension from the back of cab to the trucks rear axle.

We towed 5ers for years with short bed trucks before hitch makers gave us a sliding hitch so nothing new about doing so.