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Old 03-24-2014, 03:55 PM   #1
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Best fifth wheel and pin box combination

Hi Everyone,

Starting from scratch on a new hitch setup for my new truck and a 2006 Wildcat 32QBSS fifth wheel camper. There are so many options. Slider? No slider? 5th Airborne? Sidewinder? Ultrafab TrailAir? I have a 2013 GMC Sierra crew cab 2500 with a 4.10 rear axle and dry weight of the camper is about 9000 lbs. Im not opposed to buying more/bigger than what i need incase we get a bigger 5er down the road. Any recommendations for a convenient and smooth hitching and towing experience with my short bed crew cab? Any and all help is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Brent
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Old 03-24-2014, 04:03 PM   #2
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Like the Sidewinder which negates an expensive slider.
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Old 03-24-2014, 04:09 PM   #3
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Sidewinder cheaper?
You have to buy the sidewinder and still buy a stationary hitch.
How is that cheaper?

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Old 03-24-2014, 04:12 PM   #4
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Sidewinder cheaper?
You have to buy the sidewinder and still buy a stationary hitch.
How is that cheaper?

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Sidewinder comes stock on some trailers.
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Old 03-24-2014, 04:16 PM   #5
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Assuming his does.
my reese slider was $800.00 installed.

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Old 03-24-2014, 04:20 PM   #6
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My Reese 16K was $350 installed and I would pay for the Sidewinder pin box so I could completely enclose the bed while towing.
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Old 03-24-2014, 08:17 PM   #7
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I can only comment on the hitch as I have a pickup similar to yours. I have a Pullrite Superglide automatic slider and absolutely love it. Our pin box is the standard pin box from the factory.

Our dealer was really good and we got the hitch with installation for $500 if I recall correctly. I'm sure he made it up in the price of the 5er though, because that sure seems cheap. We were very close to doing the Sidewinder with a standard hitch for somewhere around the same price. Either would have been fine with me, but he recommended the Superglide so we went with his suggestion.
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Old 03-24-2014, 08:30 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot View Post
My Reese 16K was $350 installed and I would pay for the Sidewinder pin box so I could completely enclose the bed while towing.
My Reese Elite with pucks was $1600 installed..CDN $ though so it means nothing.

I use the Evolution with my 5.5 ft box.
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Old 03-25-2014, 05:25 AM   #9
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On my old 2006 Rockwood 8290SS I had the Sidewinder. I liked the fact that if I had to park in a tight spot at a weird angle hooking back up was much easier. I could just move the Sidewinder to line up with my hitch.
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Old 03-25-2014, 06:42 AM   #10
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If your just a weekend warrior camper...an auto slider or for the same money a cheap fix hitch with sidewinder pinbox.
If you like easy & forget about it type of things... the Pullrite slider is sweet.

If I was to full time it...I'd consider the expensive air bag style pinbox setup and a quality hitch.



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Old 03-25-2014, 06:49 AM   #11
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On my old 2006 Rockwood 8290SS I had the Sidewinder. I liked the fact that if I had to park in a tight spot at a weird angle hooking back up was much easier. I could just move the Sidewinder to line up with my hitch.

That's a good point on the Sidewinder option. The Superglide requires you to be pretty much straight when you connect or disconnect. But then again...I figure if I have to be at that much of an angle to get connected, then I probably don't need to be there in the first place.
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Old 03-25-2014, 06:57 AM   #12
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If your just a weekend warrior camper...an auto slider or for the same money a cheap fix hitch with sidewinder pinbox.
If you like easy & forget about it type of things... the Pullrite slider is sweet.

If I was to full time it...I'd consider the expensive air bag style pinbox setup and a quality hitch.

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Old 03-25-2014, 03:20 PM   #13
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I can only comment on the hitch as I have a pickup similar to yours. I have a Pullrite Superglide automatic slider and absolutely love it. Our pin box is the standard pin box from the factory.
I just bought the Pullrite 16K for my F150 s-crew. I read a lot about the hitches and found that the one piece "wrap-around the pin" design of the Pullrite makes a tighter connection than the Reese "split-jaw(two piece). The Pullrite one piece design prevents "chucking" between truck and fifth wheel, in stop/ go or decel/ accel driving conditions. I bought it through Amazon.com'
I can't tell you how it works yet because we are still waiting for our new fifth wheel, on order... can't wait! Hope this helps you...good luck!
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Old 03-25-2014, 03:31 PM   #14
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Reese 16K manual slider for my combo. I can't complain, it has been fine. I don't have a comparison from personal experience since it is my first 5'r. No major issues, simple design, virtually no maintenance etc. I have friends that have the pullrite and they seem to like them.

Totally up to you of course, do the research and pick one; hitch up and GO! You have mentioned that you are not adverse to buying a larger hitch for a potential future upgrade; that should at least factor into your decision since you have mentioned a future upgrade. It'll probably happen at some point. What is it about RV's and 2 foot-itis...
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Old 03-25-2014, 08:37 PM   #15
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Best fifth wheel and pin box combination

Thanks for all the replies! A lot of great points. Obviously this a new experience for me and my family. Growing up I went to camp....didn't bring camp with me lol. I certainly appreciate the help.
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Old 03-25-2014, 08:52 PM   #16
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I have a pull rite superglide 18k and it works phenomenally but extremely expensive but in my truck (short bed) sloped driveway and 90 degree turn that's what I needed. I think it's case dependent and customer need. Tell a Chevy guy he needs a ford and ford guy says you need a Chevy. Seems to be the same round here with hitches.
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Old 03-25-2014, 08:58 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by Brookman62 View Post
I just bought the Pullrite 16K for my F150 s-crew. I read a lot about the hitches and found that the one piece "wrap-around the pin" design of the Pullrite makes a tighter connection than the Reese "split-jaw(two piece). The Pullrite one piece design prevents "chucking" between truck and fifth wheel, in stop/ go or decel/ accel driving conditions. I bought it through Amazon.com'
I can't tell you how it works yet because we are still waiting for our new fifth wheel, on order... can't wait! Hope this helps you...good luck!
So how do you know it prevents "chucking" if you don't have the 5er? I have the Reese 16K and it doesn't "chuck". Advertising propaganda I suspect. Regardless, I'll keep my 'el cheapo' as I like running with the tonneau cover on.
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Old 03-25-2014, 09:13 PM   #18
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I have a 20k super glide auto slide hitch that I no longer use. I am interested in selling. Let me know if you can use it.
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Old 03-26-2014, 06:00 AM   #19
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So how do you know it prevents "chucking" if you don't have the 5er? I have the Reese 16K and it doesn't "chuck". Advertising propaganda I suspect. Regardless, I'll keep my 'el cheapo' as I like running with the tonneau cover on.
Old Coot,
As I said in my post, I did a lot of reading , but I also asked a lot of 5'ers at a recent Camping show. I also talked to 3 different hitch installation outfits, one at the show, and 2 in my area here. I don't like to jump into a purchase... Reese is probably good for you, though.

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Old 03-26-2014, 06:05 AM   #20
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I have Reese 16 k with ez slide (and don't need it) with revolution pin.

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