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02-02-2018, 08:50 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 91
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Slider Hitch Necessary on a F-250 Short Bed?
Hello Everyone,
I just purchased a 2018 Grand Design 311BHS and the next step is to install the hitch in my truck. I will be doing the work myself and am unsure if the slider hitch is necessary for my truck, 2017 F-250 Diesel CC Short Bed? As I am sure you are aware, they are significantly more $$ so if it's not necessary, I don't want to spend the money. At the same time, I would more than gladly spend the extra if it's going to save me a headache and stress later for needing it and not having it. So any advice by those who are currently towing with my same rig or know besides is much appreciated.
Chris
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02-02-2018, 09:34 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: HillBilly country, Smokey Mtns
Posts: 4,171
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The only way to know for sure is to hook up the trailer with a regular 5er hitch, then drive to a huge empty parking lot. With a spotter keeping an eagle eye on back of the cab, slowly, very slowly, back into a 90° jackknife. The spotter should yell STOP! before you have trailer to cab contact.
If you can achieve a 90° jackknife without trailer to cab contact, then you can probably get by without a slider hitch.
Otherwise, bite the bullet.
__________________
Grumpy ole man with over 60 years towing experience. Now my heaviest trailer is a 7'x16' 5,000-pound flatbed utility trailer, my tow vehicle is a 2019 F-150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCab with Max Tow (1,904 pounds payload capacity).
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02-02-2018, 09:39 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokeyWren
The only way to know for sure is to hook up the trailer with a regular 5er hitch, then drive to a huge empty parking lot. With a spotter keeping an eagle eye on back of the cab, slowly, very slowly, back into a 90° jackknife. The spotter should yell STOP! before you have trailer to cab contact.
If you can achieve a 90° jackknife without trailer to cab contact, then you can probably get by without a slider hitch.
Otherwise, bite the bullet.
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Thanks Smokey
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02-02-2018, 10:03 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Valley Springs, Ca
Posts: 421
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If the grand design has the front cap for short bed hauling then no otherwise a slider is needed. Your dealer should be able to tell you if you need one..
__________________
2018 Vilano 375FL
2017 F-350 CC DRW 6.7
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02-02-2018, 10:16 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
KZ RV Club
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 111
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I didn't think I needed a slider until this last time I was backing my 5th in.. My house is a bit higher then the street, this closed the distance between the ft cap and rear window. If all you ever do is maneuver on flat ground, you can probably get by without a slider..
Good news is the rear window for a 2017 F250 isn't as expensive as you might think..even a heated one with the power slide.
__________________
Been around the block, former RVIA & ASE Master tech. Currently running a '20 F350 '18 Durango 318RLT
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02-02-2018, 10:17 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 326
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There are two types of people with short-beds and non-slide hitches: those that have kissed their cabs and those who will.
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02-02-2018, 10:22 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 325BH
There are two types of people with short-beds and non-slide hitches: those that have kissed their cabs and those who will.
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[emoji23]
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02-02-2018, 10:23 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NvGuy
I didn't think I needed a slider until this last time I was backing my 5th in.. My house is a bit higher then the street, this closed the distance between the ft cap and rear window. If all you ever do is maneuver on flat ground, you can probably get by without a slider..
Good news is the rear window for a 2017 F250 isn't as expensive as you might think..even a heated one with the power slide.
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[emoji23][emoji23]
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02-02-2018, 10:29 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,580
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__________________
RVM#78 - -USAF- F-15 Eagle Radar Vet
'5 Fleetwood Revolution- '15 Airstream Intl Sig. 27FB
Jay, Andrea, Stella '14 Ram 3500 Aisin '18 ORV F30RLS
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02-02-2018, 10:33 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 91
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Awesome! That helps a lot. Thanks.
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02-02-2018, 10:35 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,580
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Were it me in your shoes, I'd buy the best slider I could get my hands on. At that point, you're covered no matter what. My Boy Scout motto, always be prepared.
__________________
RVM#78 - -USAF- F-15 Eagle Radar Vet
'5 Fleetwood Revolution- '15 Airstream Intl Sig. 27FB
Jay, Andrea, Stella '14 Ram 3500 Aisin '18 ORV F30RLS
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02-02-2018, 11:02 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 91
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Yeah, I just placed my order on Amazon for everything. I got the B&W slider hitch rated at 20K.
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02-02-2018, 11:03 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 91
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This forum is a great resource.
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02-04-2018, 04:21 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris n Erin
Yeah, I just placed my order on Amazon for everything. I got the B&W slider hitch rated at 20K.
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__________________
RVM#78 - -USAF- F-15 Eagle Radar Vet
'5 Fleetwood Revolution- '15 Airstream Intl Sig. 27FB
Jay, Andrea, Stella '14 Ram 3500 Aisin '18 ORV F30RLS
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