unioncreek
SE/WA
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Joined: 07/20/2004
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I got to thinking about buying a Dodge with a short bed and being able to put a fifth wheel hitch in it. My hitch is not a slider, so will a non-sliding hitch work in the shortbed. I need just a little over 4 feet. Center of pin to corner of f/w is just under four feet.
Thanks,
BobG
1996 Dodge 2500 SLT Laramie longbed, extended cab with Cummins. Fiver is a 1977 Prowler 20 foot. Use it only for camping in the mountains and an occassional try to the coast. Located in southeastern WA.
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Kodiak5er
Alex Bay NY Summer; Sanford FL Winter
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Joined: 07/11/2004
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If you use your old hitch and mount it far enough back to work you will be putting the load too far to the rear. If you mount it over the axle - like it should be you will not be able to turn sharp. You will more than likely forget and crunch your truck or trailer sooner or later. Best thing to do would be bite the bullet and buy the slider hitch.
1990 6500 Chevy Kodiak, 8.3L Cummins 450 HP
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2006 Newmar Cypress
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M GO BLUE
Southgate, MI
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Joined: 01/29/2001
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Spend the little amount of extra money and get the sliding hitch and then you'll have nothing to worry about, other than trying to decide if the beer is cold enough yet
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually CC/LB Duramax/Allison
2008 Jayco Designer 35RLTS fifth wheel
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PapawFor2
Az
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Joined: 09/19/2002
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If your question is whether or not your 5er will hit your cab, the answer is yes it might and depends on the 5er design. I'd buy a slider and you won't have to worry about it. Your current 5er might not hit, what about the next one you may interested in buying?
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Great-Dane
Antioch, CA
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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I towed a very big high profile Damon Challenger with Dodge Quad Diesel short bed. Need to clarify from actual years of doing this.
A short bed can do it all. Always makes more sense to have more room but not necessary if like me look means something too. If your driving a Dodge 3/4 or larger, your turning radius will not allow you to turn sharp enough for trailer and cab to be an issue at least mine couldn't for a fact! Neither could my buddies 3/4 Dodge. My power steering pump would squeel from cranking to far but still has a couple inches.
I had no problems whipping around in a Culdesac, backing up doing anything. My Dodge without trailer would take 4 lanes to whip a U-turn. I would run out of turn before trailer touched cab. Granted 1st time thought this is going to be close but it leaves 3-4 inches on the most extreme turn, far more on average turns.
Move it back on slide hitch, probably good idea for peace of mind if you like but no you do not need to. My hitch was mounted dead center in bed and again never had issue with trailer and cab. Those who never done it will tell you otherwise OR speak from a practicle point of view (always welcome)but speaking from 3 years of traveling that way and in same very tight and wild parking situations and elevations, never ever an issue. Better yet, it looks awesome almost like one unit.
Now having sad that I can't say all Dodge trucks are like mine. I'm sure tire has everything to do with turning radius. We had Mich Load E, not sure exact size specs since I sold it for the SouthWind. I had 3 - 2000 or newer Dodge trucks now just 2. 1/2 ton Hemi, turns on a dime but 1/2 ton is more like a truck with car parts. The 3/4 ton Diesel was a real truck and shortbed worked beautifully and looked even better. Short bed Diesel was a rare site too at parks often generating talk but all were taken back how wrong they were in assumption. Dodge even making a short bed Diesel w/4:10 rear tells you something there.
I apologize for length but one con to add but not really when you think about it. With shortbed and 5ver I have had on occasion or two at most where I had to do a 3pt turn. Before anyone laughs, with or without the rig as problem was with turn radius of truck and which as I said, this truck needs almost 4 lanes definately 3.
I prefer look of short-bed wasn't cost issue so if you can afford long bed, may as well stay par but nothing wrong with a short bed and 5ver, not unless on 1/2 ton pickup then were talking apples and oranges. As always JMHO..
-Bob
2004 SouthWind 32VS
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DrTanTodd
Sioux Falls, SD
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Joined: 06/11/2003
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I have the reese manual slide 16k. I have had to use it once and boy was I glad I had it when I needed it that time. I would do as others have said here and bite the bullet now and get the slider.
Todd
2009 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab 6.7 Cummins,Auto, 4X4, Shortbox
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2010 Forest River Wildcat 31TS
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lv2gorving
Sophia, NC
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Joined: 07/20/2004
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you need a slider hitch. i just installed 1 own my 250 short bed and was glad i did. make 90 degree turns w/ no problems. just my 2 cents worth. good luck.
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DRSmart
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 03/12/2004
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Slider yes, Pullrite Superglide yes.
If you were to have the misfortune of jack knifing in adverse conditions or during a collision, could the trailer make contact with the cab? Manual slider - oops, Superglide - no trailer to rear cab impact. The hitch stops at 90 degrees. If the trailer is still in motion, the truck would be forced to rotate to a stop. I may be trying to justify to myself, having spent considerably more for the superglide but my kids ride in the back. Hope this never happens to anyone.
Dave
2004 Dodge 3500, Cummins HO QC SB
3.73 Dif, 48RE Auto
Line-X bed liner
Pullrite 16K Superglide, Prodigy
2011 Montana 3465SA Mor/Ryde Pin box
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Navy SCPO
Virginia Beach, VA
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Joined: 03/03/2003
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I agree with the other respondents. I have the Pullrite Superglide and a forwrd pin box. I never come close to hitting the cab. I think with the forward pin box, my auto slider was in my opinion nice but was overkill. I could have opted for a munaual slider and saved money or spent on other options. Certainly look at a forward pin box or a slider hitch.
JOHN
04 Dodge 2500, 4x4, Quad, HO CTD, 48RE, 4.10, Laramie
04 Durango Ltd 5.7 HEMI, 3.55, Tow Group
Pullrite SG, Prodigy BC
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ZagiFlyer
San Jose, CA, USA
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Joined: 04/25/2003
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A shortbox really needs a slider. As I've said before, you won't use it very often, but there will be times when you need it. I've only slid mine on three occasions since 12/2002, but on those occasions I would have been in serious guano without it.
Regardless of whether you get the snazzy auto-slide hitch or just get the cheaper manual slide, get a slider -- you'll be sooooo happy you did the first time you have to use it.
- '02 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD 6.0L 4WD SB/EC 4.10
- '03 Thor Jazz 2760RL
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy" --B. Franklin
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