Sliding Hitch - Pros and Cons

Rugged Brown · 03-07-2011, 08:20 AM

Aside from the obvious advantage of a sliding fifth wheel hitch to provide clearance in short bed applications, what are other advantages? And the question not always asked is; what are the disadvantages of a sliding hitch. My truck bed length is 6'4" and most RV sales, technical and RV owners are telling me that a fixed hitch would work fine for me. I have noticed of late, that there is not as big a price descrepancy in fixed versus sliding hitches so why wouldn't I buy a sliding hitch, unless there are some untold disadvantages.

M109Rrider · 03-07-2011, 10:42 AM

I can't think of one honestly.

Rugged Brown · 03-07-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M109Rrider

I can't think of one honestly.

These are some things that have been brought to my attention.. Are there more.

More moving parts, not always a good thing.
Jamming/binding
Leaving it in the "out" position

M109Rrider · 03-07-2011, 11:00 AM

Oops, It was advantages I couldn't think of. Certainly disadvantages of having one if you really don't need it.

kvtaylor · 03-07-2011, 11:06 AM

You need a sliding hitch..Trust me. We towed a large Montana with a 2005 GMC crew cab and short bed. We had the sliding hitch and I forgot to unlock it and the Montana went thru the rear window backing in on an angle. Hard to live it down among friends.........

M109Rrider · 03-07-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kvtaylor

You need a sliding hitch..Trust me. We towed a large Montana with a 2005 GMC crew cab and short bed. We had the sliding hitch and I forgot to unlock it and the Montana went thru the rear window backing in on an angle. Hard to live it down among friends.........

Once upon a time with older trailers I'll agree but I will say with a lot confidence that I do not need a slider with my new trailer

Oakman · 03-07-2011, 02:13 PM

Most manufacturers (not all yet) have gone to the new front cap design that allows an angle of 80 degrees before coming in contact with the cab of the truck. You don't NEED a slider but it does provide and extra margin of safety if you use it. The only people who really have to have a slider are those with a "true" shortbed that is only 5'6" long.

brw549 · 03-07-2011, 04:40 PM

Before you purchase a slider hitch, take a look at the Sidewinder" you can see a video of how it works on YouTube

rohlingerrv · 03-07-2011, 06:01 PM

I used my slider everytime when I had my old camper but my new one has the angle pin so I havent had to slide the hitch but I still recomend a slider on short bed truck because you never know what kind of tight spot you might find yourselve in. you just might need that extra clearance.

jutojohn · 03-07-2011, 06:12 PM

dint leave home without one

Big bird · 03-07-2011, 08:30 PM

If you knock out a rear window once you will know the advantage.

Rugged Brown · 03-07-2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big bird

If you knock out a rear window once you will know the advantage.

The point I am trying to make, is that if all things being equal, why buy a sliding hitch. My understanding from other users, dealers, service techs is that my box length of 6'4" is sufficient for a non slider hitch without any concerns of the camper hitting the truck cab. There is no significant price difference in the two. As mentioned earlier in my post, there are some cons to a sliding hitch. With that in mind, is a slider better?

dan747 · 03-08-2011, 03:22 PM

I had the same questions when I was looking for a hitch. Ended up with a slider because that is what I found on Craigs list at a good price. For about the same price I could've bought a brand new fixed hitch, but I figured why not get the slider just in case. Another feature I feel is important is the ability of the hitch head to tilt left and right as well as forward and back. Just watching the trailer rock while going up gas station entryways while coming home last night sold me on the importance of pivot capability.

dezolen · 03-08-2011, 04:04 PM

Have not used my slide feature in 2 yrs.
If one cuts a corner much more than 90 degrees even with a slider you could hit the cab of your truck. Being carefull makes the most sense.
Trees can do lots of damage and so can backing over a crest in the road. Less moving parts the better.

M109Rrider · 03-08-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan747

I had the same questions when I was looking for a hitch. Ended up with a slider because that is what I found on Craigs list at a good price. For about the same price I could've bought a brand new fixed hitch, but I figured why not get the slider just in case. Another feature I feel is important is the ability of the hitch head to tilt left and right as well as forward and back. Just watching the trailer rock while going up gas station entryways while coming home last night sold me on the importance of pivot capability.

Don't they all do this? My 15k non slider tilts front to back and side to side.

dan747 · 03-08-2011, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M109Rrider

Don't they all do this? My 15k non slider tilts front to back and side to side.

I thought they did too until I went and looked at a used 16K Reese Elite series, round bar slider hitch. I believe that is their top of the line hitch, and yet it did not pivot side to side. Couldn't believe it so I went to the web site to check it out and found that only the 20K and up hitches in that model tilt side to side.

Rugged Brown · 03-09-2011, 02:56 PM

I still have a dilemma about which hitch to get. I am not convinced that a sliding hitch is preferably over a fixed hitch. Lets assume that I have a long box truck and the sliding hitch is the same price as a fixed hitch. What should I go with???????

brw549 · 03-09-2011, 03:07 PM

The slider hitch when towing on the highway is in the forward position and locked. If you exit the highway and need to maneuver through town or back-up you have to stop, get out (in the rain) and unlock the hitch. Take a look at the Reese Sidewinder. This allows a regular fifth wheel hitch with the sidewinder attache to the trailer. Now your pivot point is moved back all the time. Go to You Tube and watch the sidewinder video, I think you will be amazed how well it works.

brw549 · 03-09-2011, 03:09 PM

Also, the only time you would need a slider or sidewinder is if your truck bed is to short for the trailer. No need for either if you have a long bed truck.

dezolen · 03-09-2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brw549

The slider hitch when towing on the highway is in the forward position and locked. If you exit the highway and need to maneuver through town or back-up you have to stop, get out (in the rain) and unlock the hitch. Take a look at the Reese Sidewinder. This allows a regular fifth wheel hitch with the sidewinder attache to the trailer. Now your pivot point is moved back all the time. Go to You Tube and watch the sidewinder video, I think you will be amazed how well it works.

Sounds like you work for Sidewinder. $$$$ expensive hitch and not really necessary unless you have lots of $$$ .
Never ever heard of anyone sliding hitch back to maneuver around town or just to back up.
Besides pin weight would be way too far back of axle. Only used for very tight backing into a camping spot, nothing else.

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