Short Bed Slide Hitch - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Kathryn · RV-Dreams Family Member

Short Bed Slide Hitch

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kathryn,

Actually, if I were in the market to purchase a truck, I would base the decision on the truck and its weight capabilites, amenities, size, and engine type rather than on the hitch in the back.

However, I would think one would want an automatic hitch. My opinion is that if one had a manual, one might forget to put the hitch in slider mode. Now, as to whether or not an automatic is safer in other ways or not, I really can't address that as I've never had a slider hitch.

Should you buy the truck with the manual, I'd ask around to see if anyone would be interested in the manual and would buy it. Then, you could purchase an automatic one for yourself. But again, pay more attention to the truck itself and its capabilities.

Terry

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think the concern has more to do with forgetting to engage the slider on tight turns and bashing the front of your trailer into the rear of the truck cab, and that would be expensive. You'll always be guessing as to whether or not you need to do it, and it's not worth the aggravation.

Why may I ask, are you not automatically going for a long bed truck? Everything I've read states that they are more stable when towing and ride smoother when not.

Kathryn · RV-Dreams Family Member

ONLY because this truck was available to buy together with a 5th wheel for sale by a local private party that is of possible interest to me. But don't worry, I wouldn't compromise just for the sake of buying a package deal (but all things being equal, it would be simpler!). Also, for sure I would match based on weight, power, etc., that part was already well suited. That's good to know though that a short bed is not ideal. If that's the case, I would definitely not seek out a short bed.

Hamshog · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey Kathryn,

          I tow with a standard bed(short bed) and use a SuperGlide automatic slider. The safety aspect is for when you're turning or backing the rig at slow speed, so as not to hit the rear of the truck cab with the front of the trailer. Many coaches have front caps that are contoured to allow for use with standard bed trucks, and will allow from 60 to 80+ degrees of turn for a 96" wide coach under level conditions.

          My coach is 100" wide and a standard square front cap. With 42" from the center of hitch, and 50" from center of pin to outside of coach, it won't fit!! The SuperGlide automatically moves backward as I turn and gives me 56" when fully turned to accomodate the coach and not hit the rear cab.

          There could be many times that you'd have to stop, get out, release the slider, get back in the truck, pull forward, get out, lock the slider, then continue with the turn, then do it all over again when you have to slide it forward into towing position. Whew!!! Too much unnecessary work.

           The standard bed trucks are fine, but I'd use an automatic slider..:)

Regards, Howard

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kathryn wrote:

Hello. The consumer guide reports that I have state if one has a short bed slide-type hitch, that for safety's sake it should be automatic rather than manual. I wonder what people's thoughts are about this. I have next to no experience with trucks and hitches up to now, so have to go by what I learn. Is this something people take seriously with short beds? I believe the concern was specifically if there's an accident that the automatic slide hitch would be safer than a manual one. I'm interested because there's a local short bed truck for sale with a manual slide hitch. I don't know whether to completely mark it off my list. Thanks in advance.

Automatic might be nice, but we have approximately 25000 miles on our short bed/5er combination and I have only broken one rear window on the truck. Got in a hurry and did not slide the hitch back. Only cost me 190.00 in the stupid tax. (note to self, before backing into a tight spot, slide the hitch back, even if it is raining and you are in a hurry)

There are many things we do in compliance of the stupid tax. People have left the tailgate down on a long bed and poked holes in the front of the 5er, failed to check the dogs on the hitch and put creases in the pickup rails and broken the bottom of the 5er overhang. All things associated with towing have pros and cons. All things associated with towing have things we put in our "Notes to Self" files.

If you like the truck and trailer combo, do not hesitate to purchase. Do not even factor in the manual slider hitch as a negative. You will quickly get in the mode of being aware of the interference angle between the truck and trailer.