Need Opinions. Have SWB and want 5th wheel travel trailer

[PJ]

I have a 2004 Cummins 2500 4x4 and now Im in the market for an RV. I would like a 5th wheel but would settle for a bumper tow. Has anyone had any trouble with a 5th wheel and a Short Bed? I just dont want to but the first dent in my cab with a trailer on a tight turn. The Fleetwood Dealer says no problem but... . they just want to sell me a trailer. Kinda like the Dodge boys when they sold me the short bed when I really wanted the long bed. They said I would hate the long bed and it was the same price. Thanks in advance!

 

[Fireman]

Been there and I feel your pain. You can't beleive anything anyone says that is trying to sell you something. If you want to pull a 5th W with your shortbed and be certain you have clearence the best answer is a Pull Rite Superglide hitch. It is an automatic sliding hitch and it works as advertised. It also is expensive, but IMO worth it. I used one for 2 yrs and really loved it. Never regretted buying it and when I got a dually and didn't need it anymore I had no problem selling it. Do a search in "Towing, hauling, and RV" forum, search the word "Superglide". The hitch has been discussed at length there. Also call or e-mail Pull Rite and request a video. I believe that Pull Rite has the highest quality and best customer service in the hitch busness. That is why I have no problem recomending their products.



Fireman

 

[Dean Upson]

PullRite

What Fireman said. I have the non-sliding PullRite hitch and it is, imo, the best on the market. I have seen the Super Glide work and it is awesome. They are pricey, but so are our trucks and you mostly get what you pay for.



Dean

 

[AndyMan]

You might also look into a Titanium 5th wheel by Glendale RV. Here's a link. http://www.glendalerv.com/products/Titanium/2004Models.asp



They are designed to be pulled by short be trucks. They even show one being pulled by an abbreviated bed Furd SuperCrew truck. I really like the design, and would like to have one, but money is standing between me and it. In additon, I think you may have to take delivery of a new one in Canada.



Good luck,

Andy

 

[GRittenhouse]

I think the above comments are right on. I pull my fifth wheel with my short box and it really works great. It really depends on the design of the fifth wheel, mine has an extended hitch pin. Which is very valuable if you are towing with a short box. I very rarely feel the need to use my Reese manual slider.

 

[J&LRam]

PBJ2-----I'v owned 3 different 5th wheels with 3 different TV's , 2 long beds and my present TV , a '03, HO, Dodge, short bed with 16k Reece slider. I would not go back to a long bed. If you can afford the Pullrite auto slide that would be the most worry free set up. I believe you will be just fine with short bed truck. ---------JIM

 

[mgonske]

It can be done...

#ad




... and I bought this truck when I already owned the 5ver. The 5ver did come with an extended pin box, and I have the Pull-rite SuperGlide hitch. The hitch is expensive, but the quality and functionality are worth it. If you were debating whether or not to get a shortbed, it would be so a trade-off to consider; since you already have the shortbed, just go for it.



One thing though--depending on what size trailer you're interested in, pay attention to the pin-weight with the 9,000 lb GVWR on the 2500 (when loaded heavy, my rig is well over my 9,900 lb GVWR).

 

[Shooter]

Pulled 5th's with my 00 sb . Put 36k+ mi on the 00 5th and 15k+ on the 03 5th.



Have a Reese 16k rocker with the slider. Only had to slide it a couple of times but those few times saved the cab. All the times were trying to get out of a fuel stop and having to jack knife to make a turn. Otherwise the turning radius of the truck on a full lock turn would not cause a problem.

I still have the slider in the 03 because I did not want to buy a fixed mount when I have a perfectly good slider mount.



Your cab clearance could/ will be different depending on the trailer pin / 5th wheel configuration.



No you do not need to spend 3k$ for a slider to pull a 5th with your sb.



Just a note:



A friend just bought a new 5th ( his first ) for his new 04 and had the rv dealer install the hitch. He go a Valley . I looked at his install and the rails are bolted through the bed with spacer sleeves into the TOP of the frame rails. This is a NO NO



I haven't had the heart to tell him as he was bragging about how they did such a good job.

 

[Bob Fennema]

Pullrite

I had a Pullrite slider installed for $2,000 including the wiring for the trailer olkug in then bed and installing the plate on the trailer. I had a real good time playing with the hitch in a shopping center parking lot making lots of turns. This is an amazing hitch. I think it is the best way to go.

 

[Boondocker]

Ditto what Fireman said. The price difference between Super Glide and any other is the cost of your piece of mind. Super Glide on a short box = no worries.



Neil

 

[PJ]

Thanks for all of the input guys! Im going shopping this weekend. We'll see what I end up buying. .

Thanks again!

 

[kbarlow]

Originally posted by AndyMan

You might also look into a Titanium 5th wheel by Glendale RV. Here's a link. http://www.glendalerv.com/products/Titanium/2004Models.asp

Good luck,

Andy

Andy,



I pull the 33E38TS with a short box and a slider. I find that I need the slider if I'm doing a full deflection tight u-turn. That's with the pin 2 in. forward of the axle. There are lots of dealers for the Titanium in the USA.



Cheers Ken

 

[AndyMan]

Cool! Seems like I got that Canada only thing from an RV forum somewhere. I like the looks idea of the "auto"-slider too.



This has been a very informational thread. I have enjoyed reading it VERY much.



keep up the great work guys!

Andy

 

[johnt1]

I have a Reese 16k slider on my 03 short bed. I had the same slider on my 98 short bed. I works great as long you get out and set the slider when you are going to manuver in tight spaces.



I had a nice dent in my 98 cab before I learned the lesson. In normal driving it works well. If you have to back into a tight space or make a u turn you better change the slide. Changing the slide is not difficult, but it is a pain. You have to silicone it real good every few months or it will stick. I find myself using the slide at least once or twice on every trip.



If I had to do it again I would pay the extra money for an auto slider for the piece of mind.



JT

 

[ColoradoKing]

I have a 16K/lb Husky Slider. It works great on the SWB, but I got cut off at the fuel pumps just as I was making a final turn into the diesel stall and had to cut the wheel. Got a nice shiner in the cab now. Anyone have any hints on how to remove the trim on the rear C pillar so I can knock out the dent?

 

[Dean Upson]

Pull-Rite makes a great slider, pricey, but very good unit.



Dean