Roarinbear

I'd like to start by saying hello. I'm new here. I've been a GM guy for years. But I'm starting a new life with a 2010 3500 Mega Cab dually on order. I also have a Jayco Designer 35RLSA coming in shortly. My question is with the 6'4" bed, what have you experienced with towing a large 5er with a short bed, as far as hitches go. Also what hitch are you happy with. I've read about automatic sliders, and the Reese/Drawtite round tube slider.

PCM

I have the Reese round tube 16k slider. It's been fine over the 3 years I've owned it. I used to use the slider a lot when I first got the rig, however, now that I'm used to it, I never use it. For the money, I think you will be happy with it. If you want to spend a lot more, I guess the Super Glide would be nice. pcm

CoastalDav

Welcome to the Forum!

I've never owned a short bed truck, but have towed alot. In your case either the Drawtight or Reese slider hitch will work fine. Some are bigger than others and more expensive. You'll have to decide want you want to spend with the installation.

Don't know where your located, but if you close to a Camping World, I would recommend them for purchase and installation. You'll get a lifetime install thing.

You need a brake controller as well. Do some research. I have a Tashoka thats about 7 years old. It still works fine. There are some that have more brains than others and cost more.

It's that time of year, I don't go north of I-10.

Dave

Roarinbear

Thanks, I've been towing travel trailers for years. This will be my first fifth wheel. With the short bed of 6'4" where do you have the king pin located right over the axle or ahead of the axle 1-2" ?

GASKICKER

On my B&W the pin is just ahead of the axle, maybe 2-3 inches is all - I'm going from memory here so dont quote me.

CoastalDav

Mine is located right over the axle. I've seen them forward of the axle in the past. If you plan on adding an aux fuel tank or combo tank/tool box, I would keep it over the axle as the addtional weight of the tank/box will tend to show up on the front axle.

To much weight on the front will lead to excessive brake wear and front end parts wearing faster than normal.

After you've got the bedrails in, hitch mounted,and any other perminent stuff in the truck, go to the scale with a full tank of fuel, with you out of the truck.
That will be your Net Weight or Curb weight. You can figure from there what the GVW will be with the trailer on the pin weight, passenger load, extra fuel weight, if you have a aux tank, and compare that to your door plate and see were your at for GVW.

My truck is 7520 with 34 gallons. Passengers, 63 gallons 90% in aux tank 472lbs, Turbo Wing 45lbs, Generator 150lbs and 2500lbs pin wieght is about 11,112 lbs. Trucks GVW is 11,500lbs Trailer GVW 14030 less 2500 pin weight in the truck is 11,530 lbs. Total Combined about 22650 lbs.

My front axle rating is 4750 at the scale it was 4040 Rear is 9350 at the scale it was 3480.

See http://www-5.dodge.com/towing5/D/veh...ight.jsp?year=

Select the year and see what the factory says.

Dave

dadwolf2

I've got the Pullrite Superglide that automatically slides back. Can't imagine not having an auto slider and constantly wondering if/when you need to manually slide back the hitch and then bring it forward again after you are done with your manuevers. Some people will argue that the Superglide hitches are too expensive. My opinion is that it only takes 1 time and you've got a broken back window/dented cab and the Superglide just paid for itself.

WhiteMule

^^^^^ WELL SAID!!^^^^I AGREE^^^

huntr70

I agree with the Superglide comment also.....

I went cheap the first time, and bought a Reese 16K slider, then, ended up with a dent in the pillar of my cab.

Switched to a Superglide last year, and now don't have to worry about it anymore.

Some say they never use their slider, but there will come a day when you do need it, and then you won't think you need it and you'll break something........I found that out.

Jim W

I have a manual Reese 15K slider in mine and love. I have had this on my 2001 Chevy and then relocated to my 08 Dodge Mega cab. The king pin is located over the axle in the tow position. I also have an extended pin box on my 5er so I have enough clearance when using the slider feature on the hitch.
As for the brake controller the 2010 Dodges now have an integral brake control if ordered with the towing package. This was mention in the reviews on the 2010 Dodges.

rockdonon

I had the Reese manual slider as well in my 04 3500. I did ok with it until I turned into a gas station with a steep driveway, then another. After one ding on the cab and a broken window I went with the Superglide Auto... Very $$$ but worth it in the end. With the manual slider you get to a point that you think you can make it but if there is an uneven driveway "BAM". Most of all if you are pulling your 5ver in the city, it' a real pain to manually use the Slider in traffic.

CoastalDav

OH, forgot to mention, if you don't want a slider hitch, run the truck over to the Central Texas Frame Shop and let them put an 8ft bed on it.

What a truck that is.

Dave

Roarinbear

Thanks guy's, I don't think I want to damage a $50,000+ truck if I can avoid it.

FarmerJim

Then the Super Glide is the answer. The peace of mind is well worth the cost IMO. Be advised that your 5er can not be pulled with a standard 5th wheel setup unless you remove the wedge plate from your pinbox, or you can buy their adapter that hooks onto your pinbox and then standard 5th whl setup can pull your 5er. I know I left my 5er for service and warned the service manager not to try to move it with standard setup but one of his guys did when he was not looking and bent the pinbox, which they had to repair. I now carry the adapter plate with me all the time in case of some emergency.

justcampin

RoarinBear, I have Jayco Designer 35rlts ordered, should pick it up after Christmas, bought it from rvdirect