Hitch Question

[Esharon]

I'm going to pick up a 2018 Jayco 24.5 CKTS 5th wheel next weekend. I've only owned Jayco trailers in the past so I'm a little unfamiliar with fifth wheel hitches. I have a 2007 Silverado Classic 2500HD with a 6 1/2' bed, crew cab. My question is with that model, do I need a sliding hitch for turn radius? I see the front corners on the trailer are set back a little which led me to believe they accounted for that in the design. Thank you in advance

 

[Frosty22]

I had a slider for my first Fifth wheel and never used it one time. Second Hitch was a B&W companion. Just recently put a Reese Goose Box on. To answer your question, no, you don't have to have a slider, but you do have to pay attention when backing into tight spots.

 

[Esharon]

Thank you, I need to learn really fast��. I wasn't sure if the slider part was automatic or not.

 

[Stan&Sharon]

I had a non-sliding hitch for about 6 months before I dented in the corner of my cab. It's been a few years since I switched to the PullRite SuperGlide and the difference is amazing. I picked up a cheap engine hoist so I can easily remove it from the bed during the months we don't camp. This gliding hitch automatic slides when needed.
https://www.pullrite.com/products/superglide

 

[Esharon]

Thank you, duly noted. The installer said right away I needed the slider with the short bed but I wasn't sure if he was selling me something he made more money off.

 

[kirkelli]

i had a Demco Slider as my first hitch and hated everything about it. The weight, difficulties hitching on un-even ground, installing and removing, the spacious room it takes in truck bed and just the sight of it.. PITA. I switched to a Reese Gooseneck and love everything about it.. Turning radius with the Reese is a non issue. I highly recumbend looking into that option..

 

[txloser]

It really depends on the hitch. The cap of the FW is good as far as no slider. If you go with Andersen or B&W for example you will have some adjustment in the hitch to place it further aft. Creating more space between the cab and cap. There’s a few others options out there too.

I had an HT FW with a 2016 Chevy standard bed. Same length as your year model. Like another poster I started out with a sliding hitch and used that functionality once. I used it for an about 6 months and then moved on to a fixed B&W mostly due to issues with the hitch. Been running once of those since 2017 without issues in standard bed trucks with two Jayco’s that both had a similar front cap design. Know yourself though, if you ding up cars on a regular basis or generally driving is a challenge for you get a slider.

 

[Esharon]

Thank you
I'm pretty good about not hanging things up��
13 years with a 32BHDS and no dents. But getting advice from fifth wheel owners is exactly what I wanted to hear. Great advice

 

[Esharon]

Thanks, I appreciate the thorough description

 

[Nevr2late]

I have a F350 SB and a slider hitch that mounts into the factory pucks. It's a bit of a pain, expensive, takes up bed space when it's installed, and heavy as ****. I have used it from time to time but only while backing into tight spots (our camper is 42'). The one time I didn't when I should have, was trying to get out of a fueling station; put a small crease in the truck cab. Not noticeable really, more of an idiot sign to remind me I should have used the slider. Camper front cap sure is durable though. I guess I'm glad I have it for insurance (when I decide to use it ).

 

[Steelworker]

I'm new to 5th wheels, but not camping. I bought the B&W companion slider off FB marketplace for half of what they go for new. I've been hauling trailers/backing them up since I was 14. Better to not need it and have it versus need it and not have imo. I have an older 5th though and also a shorted. I haven't used the slider yet but as stated I about know the turning limits already. The biggest issue I've found so far is bed gap. But that's just the site we're currently at in Alabama. It's to steep to pull through, so I'll have to back out when we leave. No biggie.

 

[Russc25]

"need" is a matter of how good you are backing/turning... and planning. Better to have and not need than need and not have.

Conventional wisdom is yes, use a slider with a short bed.

 

[txloser]

Thank you
I'm pretty good about not hanging things up��
13 years with a 32BHDS and no dents. But getting advice from fifth wheel owners is exactly what I wanted to hear. Great advice

Didn’t mean to sound snarky or anything. Should’ve looked at your profile and I’d have seen that. Carry on.

Hanging….and I wrote it wrong. Awesome.

 

[Bigdog-JAY]

I have a B&W Companion slider and use it almost every time I back into a spot whether I need it or not.

The slider hitch gives me an extra foot of space to move between the tailgate and the front of the trailer, which is very helpful. It’s tight with only a few inches of clearance when the hitch is in its standard position.

 

[N1JFD]

We recently purchased our 1st 5th wheel in Feb. I didn't want to deal with slider mount because they are too heavy. We ended up getting Gen-Y Executive pin box hitch, and installed removable gooseball in bed. We also have 6.5' bed on SRW 3500. I have towed it over 3,000 miles since we left FL and never hit cab even with tight corners. You do need to be watchful however a sliding 5th wheel mount is not mandatory for short bed trucks.

 

[davolson-JAY]

Companion Slider

In our F350 6.5 box we use our slider in every campsite. Allows much more room to walk with the tailgate down, and hitching up, no chance of the tailgate hitting the front of the trailer if the truck is at a slight angle. Also our driveway has a good slope when backing and this gives a a better angle and increased bed rail clearance. Love ours.

 

[MrGadget]

My first FW was a Grand Design. I couldn't seem to find a straight answer if I would need a slider but I bought one anyway, B&W. So I had the slider and found out the hard way that I needed it and that was not backing into anything. I was on about my second trip and just doing a 360 at the end of a campground loop. Apparently it was very much smaller radius than I thought. Broke out the back window on the F350 and dented the cab. I had no clue to be on the look out just going forward. Not worth the gamble to me to not have it.

 

[Sandraze]

Another Pullrite Superglide user here. We have an F250 short bed, researched the best we could, and went with this one. I don't like that it is so heavy and that it takes up a lot of the bed and cargo capacity, but I've learned to adapt to it always being there. We go out about once a month here in Texas, so I don't bother with taking it in and out of the truck bed and keep it covered up with a tonneau cover when we are not hitched up. We've never once had an issue with it and I don't think twice when I am backing up.

 

[Skyline]

I have a pullrite super glide, when I purchased my Fifth wheel that was the deal maker while I was walking out the door. Great hitch moves about 18” back while turning. It’s nice not having to worry about hitting the cab. I slide it in and out on two 10’ 2x6 pieces of lumber.

 

[Leon-JAY]

Oh yes you may think you never need a slider hitch then one day you come to a tight turn and you will be glad you have it . With one exception is that it is impossible to realize because you can’t see sitting in the driver seat.So I ask my wife to step out and look she said I am an inch from the cab touching the 5th wheel trailer.So I straightened the vehicle out again to manually opened the Curt slider and no problem maneuvering after that .I still have the Curt slider but I traded my truck in with an 8 foot box so now I never worry about using it
I was thinking those automatic sliding hitched is something that would wear with usage ..I saw videos on them while being towed they do bang around some