Went shoping for a new camper today! When I ask the dealer about a new 5th wheel sliding hitch, I was told I did not need it. The dealer wants to mount the new hitch 3" behind the axle. Does this sound right????

Does this sound right????

* NO!!

Dont go back there. Get a pullrite super slide. Initially more expensive but cheaper than repairing your cab corners if you forget to unlock a standard slide.

George

He may be saying it because the 5er may have an extended king pin. I wouldn't allow them to mount the hitch anywhere other than where the manufacturer calls for. I would also make sure that you get a good hitch. I would insist on a slider and as was mentioned prior, the Pullrite Superglide is an excellant choice. Make the dealer throw it in with the purchase. If they will only throw in a cheaper hitch then have them subtract the cost from a better hitch.

Do you have a LB or SB? If LB, then you don't need a sliding hitch. Follow the hitch manufacturer's instructions on placement.

The hitch should be mounted over the rear axle. Not in front of, or to the rear of, but centered over the rear axle. The Pullrite is a good hitch, but I could not be more satisfied with my Reese 16K Quick-Slide. I have a shortbed, and my 5er has an extended pin. I still believe in having a slider for tight manuevering, and safety. Just as mentioned above, if you have a long bed, then you do not need a slider.

I have a reese signature 18K slider for my short bed, works great. I have yet to use the slider.

actually, the hitch can be mounted anywhere from directly over to 1" forward of the axle. But nothing outside of this!

Have him show you his 3" set up on his ride, then start laughing if he realy did it!!!!!Censored Censored :D

Forgive me fellas - New to 5th wheel towing. Can anyone comment on the "B&W Companion" I got a good deal on one and like the idea of not having the rails in the bed. It appears it has three adjustments front and back. Just wondering if I will have clearance issues on a short bed. Also how about a above the rail tool box. Will it interfere? Thanks in advance for any help.

Forgive me fellas - New to 5th wheel towing. Can anyone comment on the "B&W Companion" I got a good deal on one and like the idea of not having the rails in the bed. It appears it has three adjustments front and back. Just wondering if I will have clearance issues on a short bed. Also how about a above the rail tool box. Will it interfere? Thanks in advance for any help.Have one mounted in my SB. I have the center adjusted to about 1/2 to3/4" in front of the axle. The fiver tows like a dream and the hitch is very quiet as there is no metal to metal contact. Never had any problems with backing and turning that would require a slider. Not sure about the tool box but there are height adjustments also.

Thanks for the help Bear - One more thing - do you have an extended king pin. Thanks again for the help!

No extension. There are adjustments for raising and lowering the king pin but I left it the way it was delivered from the factory which gives me about + - 6" of clearance above the tailgate.

Find another dealer. The hitch goes 2-3 inches IN FRONT of the axel. If you have a short bed, a slider should be considered, it would be much easier turning and much less chane of reconfiguring you cab and fiver. Have the hitch put on by someone with lots of experience. Some of these trailer lots hire a fly by night part timer with little innstallation experience. If there's a Campers World nearby you might consider them for hitch installation.

I have a 33' 5th, didn't need a slider. It depends on your trailer. Do some measuring or ask someone who has the same type of trailer. I also heard you can add the slider function later.

I have a 5er with 16K slider Reese, the slide on these is can be terrible depending on the tongue weight, mine has an extended pin on the trailer and I can Jack knife it with out it hitting the cab. I don't need the slider, but bought it thinking I did with the dealer telling me I did.

Madcat I have the B&W. I really like it. I have not had any problems with my 5th wheel, It has several setting front and aft as well as up and down, Plus in just a few min. I can remove it and have a clean bed. It is a well made hitch 18k. have a good one

At this point I dont know for sure if I need a slider hitch with this camper, but I ordered one just in case. My reasoning for this was im not just buying this hitch for one trailer, but also maybe a few future trailers. I decided on the Reese kwik-slide hitch, mounted EXACTLY were Reese instructs me to, not 3" behind the axle.

Thanks for all the help!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/cool2.gif

The slider is a good choice, however you'll (like most that have it) probably never use it, especially if you have a extended or somewhat extended pinbox. I decided not to get it because time and time again I've read from other members that have a slider and never use it. I've never been in a situation personally where I wished I had purchased it.
I just this weekend re-installed my Reese from my '03 to my '04 short bed, got out the installation instructions again and it says the king pin is to be mounted directly over the axle! To achieve this the distance from the back of the bed to the edge of the back rail is 25 1/8" (long bed is 30"). I have a bed liner so I had to cut out slots for the rails (don't mount rails on the bed liner, truck bed only) so with that the top of the rails are about flush with the bed liner.
Good luck on your travels.

MadCat.......I am not familiar with that setup but I have had two 5ers' and have had a sliding hitch and only had to use it once. If you have a low profile box you will be ok.....mine was set up to do the same and the only thing that I watched for were going through ditches and uneven terrain in a turn. I used my trailers for racing motocross and would find some sticky spots when traveling across open offroad areas...but none on the highway. Look for a hitch that is double pivot as well. it will help in hooking up and ride from my past experiences.


That guy trying to sell the 3" behind the axle system had to be selling crack as well. Even with an extended kingpin....which most of the time elimintates the need for a slider in a SB, there is no way that thing would tow well. Talk about about a light front end......boing boing boing.

Hey everyone,

I have a Husky 16K E-Z Slide mounted 1in. in front of the axle. I have a short bed and the pin box is directly under the front edge of the trailer. I have to use my slider in any kind of a tight turn, say around 115-120 degrees. I found this out the hard way to the tune of $1100.00. I only had the truck and trailer about a month when this happened. Front driver side edge of the trailer hit the cab dead center between the corner and the rear window. About an 8in. crease 1in. deep. "OH BABY I WAS MAD" I almost broke the steering wheel pounding on it. Didn't Hurt the trailer at all luckily. Also I am gun shy now, If I even think I'm going to make a half way sharp turn, I slide it back. Gets to be a PITA. My advice is if you have a short bed measure twice cut once. BTW I am now considering a PullRite SuperGlide hitch which automaticly slides back when you make a sharp turn backwards or foreward, or a pin box extension which is way cheaper. Better to read about it here than to experience it first hand. Believe me! Thanks for letting me vent.

Dennis

:) Hey everyone,

I have a Husky 16K E-Z Slide mounted 1in. in front of the axle. I have a short bed and the pin box is directly under the front edge of the trailer. I have to use my slider in any kind of a tight turn, say around 115-120 degrees. I found this out the hard way to the tune of $1100.00. I only had the truck and trailer about a month when this happened. Front driver side edge of the trailer hit the cab dead center between the corner and the rear window. About an 8in. crease 1in. deep. "OH BABY I WAS MAD" I almost broke the steering wheel pounding on it. Didn't Hurt the trailer at all luckily. Also I am gun shy now, If I even think I'm going to make a half way sharp turn, I slide it back. Gets to be a PITA. My advice is if you have a short bed measure twice cut once. BTW I am now considering a PullRite SuperGlide hitch which automaticly slides back when you make a sharp turn backwards or foreward, or a pin box extension which is way cheaper. Better to read about it here than to experience it first hand. Believe me! Thanks for letting me vent.

Dennis DENNIS I DONT KNOW WHO SOLD THE TRAILER TO YOU BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE INFORM YOU THAT YOU NEED A SLIP HITCH IN A SHORT BED TRUCK THAT WOULD MAKE ANY BODY MAD MAYBE WITH YOUR ACCIDENT IT CAN HELP SOMEONE ELSE :) GOD LOVE YOU AND I CARE

Thanks for all the help guys! Probably saved me an auto body bill!