Opinions on 16K Reese

[lynnbrown]

We just purchased a new 32 ft double slide (Pendleton Oregon built) Cougar 5th wheel, loaded weight 12,000 lbs with 2100 lbs pin weight. Included with the new trailer is a 16K Reese hitch, Prodigy brake control and in box trailer plug to be installed the first of next week. It is not a slider as they told me that with the extended pin box you don;t need one with our 3500 srw short box. My question for you guys with 5th wheel experience: Is this a good hitch?

Thanks

Lynn

 

[Jim Smith]

I have a 16k Reese in my new Ram as well as being in my old Ram. It works just fine. I tow a 36Ft Kountry Star triple slide and I have no issues. My trucks has an 8ft box. Jim

 

[Ron Bissett]

Good hitch bad for your situation . The dealer don't need a slider you do or sooner or later you will hit the cab . Pay the difference for a slider you will be glad you did. Some folks get by with a short box and no slider depends on how you go about it , forget one time and wham your in a jam. The extended pin box will only let you hit the cab further down to the front of the cab . You can make up a card board trailer and truck , use a pin to simulate the hitch with the pin under the front and then with a extender pin box. don't fotfalyao try it you will see what will happen if you forget about hitting the cab. Lol Ron Bissett in Metro Louisville KY

 

[klenger]

Here's a drawing that shows why you need a slider with a SB truck, especially the '03 RAMs. They took another 3" off between the cab and rear axle on the 03's.



http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/short-5er-towing.pdf



I have a Draw-Tite 16K slider, and have no problems with it. It is the same hitch as the Reese.

 

[Fireman]

I believe that Reese makes a kit to add to your hitch to make it a slider. My personel favorite is the Pull Rite 16K Superglide, but they are pricey. Often you can find a good deal on a used one.



Fireman

 

[RMcCulloch]

Originally posted by klenger

Here's a drawing that shows why you need a slider with a SB truck, especially the '03 RAMs. They took another 3" off between the cab and rear axle on the 03's.



http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/short-5er-towing.pdf

Ken,



Thanks for creating, and making available, that drawing!



This has been one of the most prevalent towing issues of all, and your diagram graphically illustrates the issue beautifully.



Lynn,



I can only echo what the others have said: Get the sliding version - it will save you money!



I'm sure that you've read many posts by people who've said that they've never needed the sliding function [I don't doubt them] but try doing a search (either here or at groups. google.com) for posts like "I just had to replace my back window" and "My fifth-wheel crunched my cab".



The numbers are about even.



Good Luck!

 

[Dean Upson]

I don't have a sliding hitch, but have had both the Reese and PullRite hitches and I like the PullRite's design. The sliding hitch they make looks very well engineered. They are pricy compared to the Reese.



Dean

 

[78repowerwagon]

If I remember right the couger has a rounded front as well. I may clear the cab without a slider.

 

[Boondocker]

Pullrite Super Glide

Having just pulled my brand new 30' Cougar 5th wheel home from Mesa, AZ to Las Vegas with the Pullrite Super Glide 16K, I am compelled to chime in on this subject.



I've bumper pulled for a few years, but 5th-wheeling is new to me. I was extremely concerned, literally losing sleep, over fitting a 5th wheel to my short box 4x4. With 265 tires, the top of my tailgate stands 4' 10'' tall. I researched this board and many others searching for ideas and answers about my situation. I found that the owners of Pullrite automatic sliding hitches are unanimous in their positive support of this product. To a man, not one regret.



My trailer dealer, on the other hand, was not so keen on selling me this item. The part cost and the installation cost are considerably higher than standard non-slider and manual slider hitches. No trailer salesman wants to threaten a sale over the increased cost of a superior hitch. The line on manual sliders is, "all you have to do is get out and slide it when you might be (backing) into a tight turn situation. " Theoretically, that's great. Practically, that's a pain in the posterior. What if you misjudge that situation or just plain forget because you're busy trying to keep a handle on the situation? What if you're already in a bind and the thing won't slide?



I did not want to deal with any of this at the risk of damaging truck and trailer. The only downside to the Pullrite Super Glide is the price. My solution was to pay now for the insurance of avoiding those risks rather than possibly pay later for the damage, inconvenience and embarassment of the potential problem. Another plus with this hitch is that it mounts under the bed. If you and two of your best buddies decide to remove it, you'll have 4 silver-dollar sized holes in your bed, no rails or brackets.



There are a couple of limitations unique to this hitch that didn't come to light for me until I was commited, neither of which would have changed my mind.



1. A keyed king pin slider plate is mounted (could be screwed, they welded mine) on the king pin (trailer side). This locks the king pin to the hitch head which is critical to the automatic cam sliding action - hard to explain, not hard to understand when you see it. The point is, you'll never need any lube on your hitch head because the pin doesn't rotate like every other hitch. In other words, a trailer with the Super Glide keyed mounting plate is NOT compatable with any standard 5th wheel hitch! The king pin assembly can be replaced if it ever comes to that.



2. The other limitation is hook-up angle. It's a little more restrictive than standard hitches. Pullrite rates maximum angle for hitching/unhitching at 16-degrees. Again, manipulaing the hitch makes this easily understandable.



I am very happy with my decision. As a complete 5th-wheeler novice, after one technician supervised practice hitch/unhitch, I was able to hitch and unhitch all by my lonesome (wife supervised of course). Watching the thing in action on slow, tight turns and never seeing the trailer close enough to the cab to make me sweat is well worth it.



Good luck with your choice.

Neil

 

[lynnbrown]

Gentleman. Ended up installing a Husky 16K EZ Roller. The Husky slides on rollers. The Reese slides on metal to metal rails. Installer that did the install recommended the Husky. Some (not to good) reports back on the Reese slider because of sticky and hard slide operation which makes sense when you see how it is built. They were both the same money so there was no questions from me on my choice. And I believe that the Husky is a little heavier built. Prodigy is mounted on right side of steering wheel and no problem with leg clearence. Install looks good. Thanks for all the advice on the slider.

Lynn