I am picking up my new fifth wheel today, and nervous as hell. I tow an 8000 pound cargo trailer daily and a 8500 pound travel trailer, but today im nervous.

The guy who installed the hitchtold me after he was done that i need a slider so i dont hit my truck when I turn and that i cant use the plug on my bumper for the power and an extension wire wont work either.

I am so comfused and nervous.

Anyone got any thoughts or pointers they can send my way?

Thanks
Nervous in nj

Congrats on the new fifth wheel you will love it, it towes 100% better than a bumper pull. You don't need a slider to tow it just when you turn sharp " in the campgroud", but I would still get one. Most new campers will let you turn 90*, mine will let me turn 90+. Look on craiglist or paper for a used slider, that is how I found mine reese 16k $150 I think I got lucky on that one. Post some pics when you get it and have fun with it.

the cord on mine is very long and i plug into the bumper with no issues on tight corners. father in law has a socket mounted in side of box, i don't know why, his cord should reach too. they probably don't want an extension on it for resistance and connection issues

edit i deleted your incomplete duplicate posts for you

I got a 5th wheel about 3 weeks ago and a 5th wheel reese (non slider) and now I have a new crease beside my back window. so I had to get another hitch so it wouldnt happen again. this time I got a reese slider, so far it is good.

so I have a reese 5th wheel just sitting here. I wont ever use it again. and it would be fine in a long box truck tho.

Wow it's really nice he waited until he was done to tell you you need a slider!

You can still pull your fifth wheel without a slider you just have to be careful when you are maneuvring in tight quarters. Make sure you have sopotters to watch the truck and trailer. Take you time and enjoy.

got the slider right away. When i picked it up there was a tool box in wheel well of the truck, which got ripped out and pushed and dented inside of tailgate and a little dent on top of gate, but figured i was due damage with towing a fifth wheel and that I can live with. Although first time locking the fifth wheel slider into place, thought id lose my teeth with crash and locking.

I don't use a slider in my SB truck. My combo will turn 80 degrees plus without the slider, which is a whole lot tighter than a bumper pull would turn before contacting the truck. Another thing to think about is that when you turn a fifth wheel more than 70 degrees or so the trailer tires have to skid sideways. You can do some major damage to tires, wheels, bearings and axles by sliding them sideways. Don't do that!!

It's ok to run the cord over the tailgate to plug in at the bumper, but it will rub your tailgate and the paint is not very thick. There is a kit that is very simple to install made to put an additional plug inside the bed. I had mine done at a custom shop so can't give details but the service guy was able to install it in under 20 minutes without splicing into any wires.

I would tell him to take it out and install the correct one it's there job to do so!

I installed the hitch myself in my old GMT 800 and shifted it toward the tailgate 3 inches and never had a problem with my mid-profile Wild Cat. I had a slider but never used it. It was a Reese and I didnt like the way it worked anyhow. A friend of mine just got a Curt slider I think. Its a little pricy whatever it is but man is it nice and smooth.

I am picking up my new fifth wheel today.......

Anyone got any thoughts or pointers they can send my way?

Thanks
Nervous in nj

Yep. These appear to be obvious, but people get distracted and end up with a costly mistake.

1. Take your time, focus on your routine, plan ahead.

2. Remember to lower the tailgate when hitching and unhitching otherwise the kingpin assembly will hit the tailgate. A bodyshop owner told be he has had customers do it more than once!

3. When hitching up, double check to make sure the hitch assembly is closed around the kingpin and everything is locked in place before pulling forward. Also, do not forget to release it when unhitching.

4. Remember to put the 5th wheel landing gear down before unhitching. Also remember to raise the landing gear after you are hitched up.

It would also be a good idea to always check that the hitch is locked in place after the rig has been left unattended. I've heard third hand stories of jerks pulling the release as a "joke". (See number 4 above.)

Here is why it is nice to have a slider hitch with a short bed. The kid described it best at 27 and 52 seconds!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YajlvudkW_Y

Here is "Clark Griswold", a new 5th wheel owner, experiencing what he calls growing pains.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5K10PAbuEM&NR=1

And then there is always this classic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6LdFpJXylI&feature=related