Anyone have this setup? It seems like I see most guys w/ 5th wheels on their long beds but what about the short bed? Any drawbacks? Anything to look out for? Any reason not to? real curious have never owned a 5th wheel but am considering it if I find it feasable w/ my short bed.
Thanks,

 

YUP, lots of guys pulling 5'vers with short bed trucks.
It's HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you get a SLIDER HITCH. Automatic (like my Pullrite Superglide) or Manual (just abt every manufacturer) is up to you and your wallet.
Check out some of the RV forums. You'll find guys saying you dont even need a slider hitch. You'll also find guys with stories of dented cabs & shattered rear windows

 

Ditto on what 07Blue2500 said. I've had 2 sliders, 1 manual & 1 auto (pullrite Superglide). I auto is way better & way more $$$. Some 5'vers have extended pin boxes which makes the short beds easier to navagate.

 

Guys thanks I will check the RV forums but appreciate the feedback. Those superglides look nice but your right they are expensive!!

 

C Minus
Well, thing that made up my mind to spend the extra $$ on the Superglide was the cost of Body work or a new rear window.
Figured I'd spend it up front and not worry abt the damage in the middle of vacation
Check out www.rv.net/forums.
Lots of info and nice folks like here
Good luck

 

The superglide is spendy. But think of how expensive to tap the edge of your cab or break the window cause you thought you could make that turn backing into a tight spot.

 

I've had this set up fpr 4 years now. I never used the slider the first 3 or so years, then one day backing into my driveway all the stars aligned and you guessed it, the front of the 5ver hit the left corner of the cab. Put a real nice crease in it, never touched the window though. From that point forward I always slide the hitch back before turning while backing up. The pullrite would seem to be the ticket, when you consider the price of the truck and the 5ver. It would be my hitch of choice if I were doing it again.

 

If you use a little foerthought you don't need to use a auto slider. Just take the time every time you are going to back up and slide it out before you manuver you will be fine. I could do alot of camping for 3K$$$

Chris

 

6 years of 5th wheel and short bed no problems. I have the slider hitch and have used the slide once or twice. Some one mentioned the extended pin box. this is a must have with 5th wheel/short bed combo's. I tow multiple area's improved camp grounds, to way out in the boonies where it can get tight sometimes. Also somthing to look for in the 5th wheel is the front cap, try to get one that slopes back that will help some also. good luck you will like the 5th wheel.

 

OK, guess I'm the dissenter on her. Have a short bed and "NO SLIDER" just a std RBW Lil Rocker hitch. I have hit the cab once 2 years ago with my 04.5 due to going somewhere that even a slider would not have saved me either. Dent cost me $350 to repair. No window damage. I do have an extended pin box which gives me an additional 15" or so of hitch length where a slider gives you only 12" usually. If you learn your limits and are very careful with something like my setup you should be OK. The pull rite is a great hitch but a little pricy for my taste and would not give me as much as the extended pin box does.

 

I have a short bed with a manual slide which I modified with a physical stop so that I do not have to drop the landing gear to adjust the slide. I simply pull the locking pins apply the trailer brakes drive ahead slowly until the pins lock back in.
The physical stop prevent the hitch from being stolen and more importantly it prevents the hitch from coming out of the fifth wheel rails. I would love the automatic slide or the slide with the manual handle release just could not afford either. Just another option to think about if you are on a tight budget. Good luck with what ever you choose.

 

OK, I currently have a Reese Signiture Series slider in my F250. Ordering a Mega. I was convinced I needed the Superglide. I never had to slide in the F250, but there was alot more room to the cab. I have a Raptor, which has the extended pinbox where the center of the pin is equal to the front edge of the trailer. Front is also rounded abit. I really like the Reese, but don't want to have to keep getting out to slide. Think I'll be ok? Just don't want to install the Reese, then find out I should have gone with the Superglide.

Thanks,
Steve