6.5' bed towing 5th wheel without slider

jaygeo1 · 06-22-2015, 05:06 PM

I'm getting very close to buying a CC Silverback 29RE. It has the cut back front cap corners. My TV is a 2500HD, 6.5' bed, extended cab, 4x4. My question is concerning the purchase of the hitch with or without a slider. I've decided for sure on getting the B&W turnover ball system and then adding the Companion 5th wheel hitch.

I'm curious as to how many of the FR Forum members are towing without a slider using the 6.5' bed TV? I would appreciate your opinion on the slider issue now that you are currently towing without a slider. Thank You.

Ford Idaho · 06-22-2015, 05:14 PM

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AVid · 06-22-2015, 06:21 PM

I have a slider in mine. I figured I would rather be safe than sorry. Having said that, in the last 6 years of towing a fiver, I have yet to use the slide.

John

EdJunior · 06-22-2015, 07:18 PM

What avid said. However, I did have a long bed for about a year and a half. Still, I haven't had to use it yet.

Oakman · 06-22-2015, 07:28 PM

Read this recent thread http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tch-84490.html

mustardbucket107 · 06-23-2015, 09:31 AM

I have a2500hd with the bw turn over/companion hitch, but not a silverback. We have a sierra 380bh5 and have not needed a slider, came close, but can get about 75-80deg turn. The biggest issue i see with the chevy and the bw is they have a new style base that sits up higher and allows for more room between bed rails and fifth wheel, i have the old style companion, which with our king pin box trail air rotoflex gets pretty close at times

Sent from my SM-N910V

Toadman · 06-23-2015, 11:35 AM

I have a 2008 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab short bed (6.5') and I also use the B&W turnover/companion hitch without a slider. I tow a 36BLE Forest River Cardinal and have had no issues. I will also add that I have the TrailAir package on the 5th Wheel Hitch which makes a huge difference in towing and keeping everything smooth.

prairiecamper · 06-23-2015, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaygeo1

I'm getting very close to buying a CC Silverback 29RE. It has the cut back front cap corners. My TV is a 2500HD, 6.5' bed, extended cab, 4x4. My question is concerning the purchase of the hitch with or without a slider. I've decided for sure on getting the B&W turnover ball system and then adding the Companion 5th wheel hitch.

I'm curious as to how many of the FR Forum members are towing without a slider using the 6.5' bed TV? I would appreciate your opinion on the slider issue now that you are currently towing without a slider. Thank You.

We have a 29 RE and tow with a 08 Ram 2500 with 6.5' bed and no problems!
I have probably had it at 80 degrees with no problem and no slider.

Travler · 06-23-2015, 11:56 AM

I have the B&W with a 6.5 bed. Have pulled for 2 years. I have not been in a place that I had to have a slider yet. They do now make a slider hitch if you want. I like having a flat bed and it is easy to remove. Some people say they are easy to hook & unhook compared to some other brands.

wire1946 · 06-23-2015, 11:56 AM

as long as you only go straight it's ok I have a slider to sell if you are interested

TonyH · 06-23-2015, 12:02 PM

I have a slider in my Ram and have never used it. If I ever replace it , I will get the companion. Several of my fellow campers use it in their short bed trucks with no issues.

elind · 06-23-2015, 12:04 PM

I have a GMC 2500 CC 6' 6" box and a Wildcat 327 ck without a slider hitch. Only once did I have an issue and that was when I was making a turn pulling out of a driveway going up hill. The corner of the FW touched the front rail of the box.

mike2wheels · 06-23-2015, 12:12 PM

I have a Reese 16k slider, but have yet to use the slide function except to test it. With the sculpted nose of the Silverback I can turn greater than 90 degrees before the trailer touches the cab. Of greater concern is how close the pin box gets to the bed rails, especially if the truck and trailer are not level.

Bobisgolfing · 06-23-2015, 12:26 PM

I was told by several dealers that it is not possible to tow a fifth wheel trailer with 5 foot 6 inch truck bed. NOT TRUE. I tow a 2014 Rockwood Ultra Light 5th wheel 8289ws. Hitch is pro series 16K THE DIFFERENCE is the Reese Revolution Hitch, works like a champ.

BusyRetirees · 06-23-2015, 12:28 PM

We have an F150 with 6.5' box and a 32' Rockwood with a Reese Sidewinder. My 5th wheel hitch is a Reese Titan 16K. No slider hitch required as the Sidewinder rotates under the trailer and not in the bed of the truck. We can do 90 degree turns with no problems.

oldtool2 · 06-23-2015, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaygeo1

I'm getting very close to buying a CC Silverback 29RE. It has the cut back front cap corners. My TV is a 2500HD, 6.5' bed, extended cab, 4x4. My question is concerning the purchase of the hitch with or without a slider. I've decided for sure on getting the B&W turnover ball system and then adding the Companion 5th wheel hitch.

I'm curious as to how many of the FR Forum members are towing without a slider using the 6.5' bed TV? I would appreciate your opinion on the slider issue now that you are currently towing without a slider. Thank You.

I have a 6.5 foot bed and slider. Got stupid one day and didn't think I would need it. Here is the results of being STUPID!

Did get lucky, didn't damage the door or break the window. No damage to the trailer. I WAS VERY LUCKY!

Get the slider. Might not need it for this trailer but if you replace the trailer you might wish you had it.

Jim

clydngail · 06-23-2015, 01:00 PM

I have 29re and GMC 6.5 bed extended cab also. No slider, never a problem. Been 90 degrees or close and no problem.

bmaggin1 · 06-23-2015, 05:05 PM

When I was pulling my Montana 5'er with my F-250 short bed crew cab truck, I installed a Pullrite super slider. I figured I better get one that did the sliding automatically so I wouldn't forget to set it to slide when backing or turning a sharp turn.. With the pullrite I back my truck at a 90 degree right angle to the trailer and never hit the trailer or the cab of the truck.

Would not pull with short bed without slider hitch.. just my 2 cents.

bbeyor · 06-23-2015, 05:06 PM

I pull a 2006 wildcat 5er. My TV is a 2013 gmc 2500hd crew 6.5 bed with a backrack and NO slider and I have not had any issues so far. I thought I'd have to take off the backrack but haven't needed to. If you think you're going to try to do a full 90degree turn it wouldn't make it with the rack but gets very close without a slider.

Jim34RL · 06-23-2015, 06:46 PM

I always figured there are two type of truck owners who pull a 5er with a short bed box.

1. They have the slider hitch and use the slider hitch as needed in tight situation.

2. Those that don't have a slider hitch and wish they had one after they have damage the cab of the truck and trailer along with a failed rear window.

Your $$$ your choice. Enough said and I do have a slider hitch. I have had one since my first 5er purchase.

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