Towing 5th wheel with QC short bed ?

[JPLB22]

Me and the wife are in the market for a newer used trailer. We started off looking for travel trailers, but are having a hard time finding a used one that fits are needs. So we have started looking at 5th wheels, they seem to be a little more plentiful where were at. I've never towed a 5th wheel in my life.



My question is, is it a big no no to tow a 5th wheel with a short bed ??



I know a long bed would be preferable, but I don't have one. The wife won't let me even consider a new truck .



TIA



Jeff

 

[Grizzly]

You can pull a 5er with a short bed, but you will need a slider receiver hitch. I do not know anything about them since I have never had a short bed, however there is a lot of information about them here on TDR.

 

[JJPage]

Depending on the trailer you may or may not need a sliding 5th wheel. I purchased one and do not need it , my clearences are all fine, could have saved some change.

 

[Jay]

JJPage is correct. I've had 4 shortbed trucks and 3 %'vers, and the '03 is the first one that I put a slider hitch in. I've yet to have to actually use the slider but it's like insurance... it's there if I ever do need it.

 

[BNTorsney]

In my opinion, the quick slide hitch is worth the extra money with a short bed truck. Both of my trucks were short beds, the incident that made me go to a quick slide, was backing my fifth wheel up a incline to park. On lever ground there was never a problem, but the clearances were close. However, when you go backwards up an incline, the trailer's rear wheels get higher first and this brings the front of your fifth wheel closer to the back of your cab. If you clear on level ground, in this instance you will not; there are two small dents in the back of No. 1 truck's cab to prove it; since I got the quick slide, no more dents.

 

[Glock Guru]

So what is a slider and what does it do. I also have a CC/SB (on order anyway) and would like to more about 5th wheels. I am looking for a 5th wheel w/ a shop and sleeping quarters to take to the kart races.





Thanks in advance, Troy

 

[MChildress]

The slider lets you slide the hitch back to give you more clearance while backing up. I have two friends that didnt think they needed them and both have put their fivers into the cab. They have since bought long beds. The slider hitch is heavy and not fun taking in and out. Not to change the subject but one of these guys is running the B&W turn over ball and a gooseneck hook up on his fiver. The dealer did the swap when he bought the trailer. The trailer is a Holiday Rambler Presential gross 16,400 lbs two years and loves the hitch. Sure nice just turning over the the ball instead of pulling the fiver hitch. Hope this helps. P. S. B&W makes a set back that places the hitch ball futher towards the rear to help with clearance on short beds.

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

I've had two short beds, two fivers, and two sliding hitches. Many of the shorter/lighter 5ers have extended king pins, which would make it so you would not have to use the slider in most instances. That being said, there is no way I'd get a hitch with a short bed truck that did not slide. You never know when you will need the extra space. I have a Reese 16k quick slide, and it works well. They are heavier than the standard hitch, but the head of mine comes off with a very large hitch pin. With the head off, I can fairly easily lift in and out of the truck by myself.



There is a brand out there that automatically adjusts back and forth as you pull, no need to get out and throw the lever when you think you need the extra space. I think these hitches are more $, but worth looking into if you pull a lot.

 

[prestonmck]

I had a Husky sliding 5th wheel hitch on my 03 2500 hemi and had to use the slider quite a few times. I found it hard to release the slider mechanism unless I was on level ground. I had to use a pry bar to get it to release a few times and the whole trailer slid back quickly 6inches or so with a loud thud. An automatic electric style would be nice but probaby expensive . The manuel sliders are about 1,000. 00 as it is. It seems like to me everything on these trucks start at about 1,000 on goes up from there.

 

[Snellville-Dave]

I'm using a Reese 16K slider. I needed it a couple of times and it worked fine.

 

[jjordan1]

Make sure you get a fifth wheel w\ the extended pin box OR look in Tailer Life for thye compant that sells them. I think they run about $300. 00. Good Luck

 

[KSears]

the best on the market is a Pullrite superslider,runs somewhere around 1300-1400 dollars, but is automatic ,meaning it moves itself mechanically as you turn. no need to wonder when to and if you need it

 

[Glock Guru]

That thing looks cool. I can handle $1200-1400 if it works.



-Troy

 

[JPLB22]

Wow, thanks for all the replies, I just renewed my membership, and I know it was money well spent!

Thanks for the hitch info too. Lots for me to consider !



Jeff

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

the best on the market is a Pullrite superslider,runs somewhere around 1300-1400 dollars, but is automatic ,meaning it moves itself mechanically as you turn. no need to wonder when to and if you need it

I was real curious about those when they first came out. The thing I don't like is they are HUGE, taking up the majority of the bed. Seems that it would be a handful to get it out when not in use. Also, how much $ are they to install. I seem to remember that the installation was almost as much as the hitch. Anyone with experience on that?

 

[EricBu12]

That Superslide is more like $1600... . But if you want the super rails to remove it and have a clean bed, the total will be like $2100 I was considering it but went with a regular hitch and a Kingpin extention... . That combination cost $1100... so the slider was $1000 more...



Here is a vendor that sells it.



http://www.rvlifestyles.net/Parts.a...535&GUID=cd12024d-8f02-46b6-b5a0-c30e5ba6e672

 

[KSears]

check out the superrail system for the install, the 03' and up have a clamp on the frame type mounting system and the superrails result in everything being removeable from the bed except for four mounts, a little pricy , but a very nice worry -free hitch, much cheaper than cab repairs from accidental forgetfulness.

 

[KSears]

check out this website, took 2 minutes worth of looking , it has Pullrite hitches and very good prices,, it has it for less than 1300 and the superrail kits for 3 something.





http://www.bigdiscountrv.com/fifthwheel_pullrite.htm