Pullrite SuperGlide question...

[JimBob24]

If you have a Pullrite Superglide hitch installed in your truck, can you pull a 5th wheel trailer that does not have the adapter plate installed on the trailer pin box (and just not have the automatic slide feature)? I know that once you install the adapter on the pinbox you can only pull it with a Superglide hitch.



I have ordered my new SuperGlide and want to have everything ready when it arrives. Oo. I only have enough room in my driveway near my basement shop to put one vehicle, so I thought about installing the hitch in the truck first, then bringing my trailer home from storage and installing the adapter. I was wondering if I could pull the trailer before I installed the adapter on it?



If not, I probably can unbolt the pinbox from the RV and bring it home to install the adapter.



Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.



Jim

 

[exfuzz01]

superslide hitch

I have one on my truck... I don't think you would have any problem pulling your 5er without the adapter if you don't have any sharp angles to turn bringing your trailer home. If you do I would advise installing it prior to towing.

 

[GaryCarter]

You can pull a conventional fiver pin ONLY if you install something to lock the superglide in the center position. Do a search and you'll find some people are OK with doing this with wood blocks- others make a metal bracket.



DO NOT pull a conventional pin without locking the superglide. If you do, the hitch can swivel and roll forward and backward at will. Not good.



You can also buy an adapter from Pullrite to do the opposite; it places your Superglide head on top of a conventional fifth wheel so you can pull your trailer with someone else's truck.



Mike

 

[JimBob24]

Thanks Mike. I considered that possibility and it makes sense. As I understand it, the entire hitch head rotates, which causes the cam to move the slide fore and aft. I imagine that it could move about anywhere while accelerating and braking, and it seems like while pulling the tendency would be for the slide to move to the rear where you don't want it to be while pulling.



I think my best bet is to remove the pin box from my trailer and bring it home to bolt the adapter on. I think there are 4 bolts on each side holding the pin box on.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

After bolting the adapter on, spot weld it in a few places too.

 

[JimBob24]

Jumbo Jet, I thought about welding, but what happens if I am on a trip and have major truck problems and need to have the 5th wheel towed by someone else? I thought I could unbolt the adapter in an emergency so the trailer could be towed by a conventional hitch. I was planning to use self-locking nuts or drilled bolts and slotted nuts with safety pins.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

When I had my SuperGlide, the RV dealer did the installation. A couple of the bolts worked loose and a couple were sheared off (from adapter movement).



The bolts provided were hardened counter sunk allen head. I don't remember the diameter, but they didn't hold up well.



Your bolt 'saftey' features may be good enough.

 

[tschwab]

What has been mentioned above is the EXACT reason I did not go with the SuperGlide. I know it is a superior hitch and fully automatic... ... but, not being able to be towed by a conventional king pin in a bind or being able tow someone else in a bind because I have the Pullrite head, and the problems of either having the bolts welded or shearing off convinced me to go with a traditional hitch with a manual slide. Most guys that tow with a SWB do not even have to slide back their manual slide. For me, it was peace of mind not having to worry about if I could tow someone else's rig or if they could tow mine in a bind without having to worry about adapter plates, etc. You may want to check out the new Hijacker "Ultra Slider", pretty slick unit! Not automatic like the Pullrite, but much better that regular slider hitches and about half the cost of the Pullrite.

 

[Froadin]

Why not use safety wire through the bolts. The military does this for a reason. Bolts don't work themselves loose, and it's still very easy to remove.

Of course these nuts/bolts cost more, but you are only talking about four of each.

 

[JimBob24]

Thanks Froadin. I was a helicopter pilot for over 25 years and have done my share of safety wire helping the mechanics. My pin box is enclosed and tapers toward the front, and it is also extended a good bit so I do not know if I have enough room or reach to get in there to use safety wire, especially toward the front. There is not an outside flange to bolt through either. My hitch arrived today and the instructions say to use at least 10 recessed bolts to hold the plate on. I have a good source of high strength AN aircraft hardware. Might just use some high strength Loctite on the bolts. I am going to remove the pin box in the morning and figure the best route to go.