Just picked up a new Greystone 29MK (Hartland) 5th whl with the notched front cap 88 deg. turning radius they say I do'nt need a slider hitch.
I have a 06 4x4 short bed.
Should I buy a slider hitch?
Single pivot or double?
What is a good hitch to buy?
Any advice?
Thanks

 

I have shortbed and really like my super glide. It slides automatically as you turn. Can turn clear to 90 and don't have to worry about hitting anything. A little pricey but would only have to hit the truck with the camper once to pay for it.

 

I towed with a manual slider for 11 years, using the slider only rarely. Late one afternoon after a fairly long day drive in poor conditions, I failed to take care in making a sharp u turn. It sounded like a crumpling beer can as the corner of my cab collapsed.
I previously had noticed a small crack in my Husky 15K hitch so recently decided to splurge with a PullRite Super Slider. I've only towed about 900 miles with it but like it so far.

The extra expense would easily have prevented about $1500 in damage repair
had I made the decision earlier. Now, even when tired I'm unlikely to repeat it.

 

I hear auto sliders are nice but then I also hear that they can cause for some strange truck behavior when your going through some twisty roads since the trailers constantly moving forward and back. But, I'd always have a manual or auto slider in a short bed. You may never use it but the day you do need it, its there. Although if your trailer was guaranteed not to hit the truck given the kingpin placement and the design of the trailer, you might get away with not needing one.

 

Congrats on the new Heartland, Awesome 5th Wheels. Honestly I have a slider and have only used it once. I have been coast to coast with mine. I guess its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Hope this helps, best to you.

 

The Super Glide is automatic and does Not move fore and aft all the time, only when turning.
I would get one that pivots side to side as well as front to back.
Highly recommend the Super Glide.

 

To me a slider hitch is like having insurance for your house and truck. You may never use it, but when you need the hitch it is there.

My Cougar has the 88 deg corners on the 5er also and I used the sliding hitch all the time. I will slide the hitch into the maneuver position when we reach the camp grounds to park the 5er in the camp site. I will also use the maneuver position to put the camper in my drive way. Do I need to do this, NO. I do this to eliminate one more worry as I try to maneuver the camper into tight spaces.

Another point is the slider hitch is cheaper to buy then the damage to your truck if the 5er ever contacts your truck cab.

Jim W.

 

I have used a DSP hitch for around 20 years, I just moved it from truck to truck just buying new rails every time. It had the ability to slide if needed but I never used the slide feature. With my new 3500 SB I decided to go with a B&W goose and their companion, I'm actually installing it now I just stopped for lunch. I discovered the goose ball is located 5 inches in front of the axle but the 5ver pin on the companion can be located 6 1/2 inches rear of that putting the center 1 1/2 inches behind the axle. Normally this would not work but as the load is carried from the 5ver pin down through the hitch and down through the goose pin which is 5 inches ahead of the axle I think it would work better than a normal hitch which is on the axle or 1-2 inches ahead.
The companion tilts and is shock mounted and is really built I was surprised it was that well made. I thought about the need for a slider but bought a new trailer that is SB friendly and with the companion I don't think I would ever need one.

 

"I do this to eliminate one more worry as I try to maneuver the camper into tight spaces."

My concern is the false sense that it will never hit. It will. You just haven't got it broke over far enough yet. I have a short be with an extended hitch box. I can take that thing anywhere. I've even U-Turned it in a parking lot with only 1 entrance.

 

I have a manual slider and found it to be a pain. I then put a Sidewinder pin box on the 5vr. The sidewinder works great, I never have to get out of the truck to move anything, it leaves over 9" clearance at the tightest spot during a 90+ degree turn and I can also unhook the truck at any angle.

 

Thanks for the advice . Slider it is.