Impression 240RE hitch question

[johnm1]

Does anyone know if the Impression 240RE requires a slider hitch with a 6.5' bed? I'd rather have real world knowledge, not have assumptions please.

[CJS56]

Google'd this:


for a 6.5' truck bed, you should check using this formula to calculate the need for a slider and the length of travel required:

First, measure the distance from the center of the axle on the truck to the back window. The axle will be directly below the center of the wheel wells from front to back. Call that measurement "A".

Get the distance from the center of the king pin to the forwardmost point on the nose of the trailer. If the nose is behind the kingpin, make this a negative number. This is measurement "B"

Subtract B from A. (Note: if B is negative, that will make the result greater than A)

Measure the overall width of your trailer (measurement "C") and divide by 2. This will be the distance you will need to clear when the truck is at 90 degrees to the trailer. Add Four Inches for a safety clearance.

Deduct the value you got by subtracting B from A from half the overall trailer width (plus the safety clearance.) This will give you the amount of travel you need to have available in your slider.

[johnm1]

Chris - thanks for that formula. However, this model (240RE) has rounded or "clipped" corners so I don't think (I could be very wrong here) that the formula will work on this model. We've had 2 different 5er's with a 6.5' bed and didn't need a slider for either of them even though the dealer said we absolutely HAD to have one.

[Scubajt]

I tow a Impression 26ret with a Ford F-250 with 6.5 bed. I have a B&W companion sliding hitch That I have used the slide option once because of a tight uneven back in situation.on fairly flat ground and typical backing situations I don’t use the slide and have plenty of clearance to the cab.

[doc73]

I have a 315mb and the corners are not so vliooed as I'd have thought. I use with a 2500 short bed. I do have a sliding Hitch but in 4 years have never actually needed it.

[jimmarako]

Originally Posted by doc73

I have a 315mb and the corners are not so vliooed as I'd have thought. I use with a 2500 short bed. I do have a sliding Hitch but in 4 years have never actually needed it.

SO I have a question. I have a 2015 2500HD gasser with the 6.5' bed. When in the locked position does the slider position the king pin in front of the rear axel? I thought a benefit of 5th wheels was with the king pin in front of the rear axel you get better weight distribution on the truck. Obviously an 8' bed would be nice.

Thanks
Jim M.

[doc73]

I believe you want to pin over the rear axle. Not in front or behind. Mine is pretty much right over my axle.

[johnm1]

Mine was over the rear axle on my GM 6.5' bed.

[jimmarako]

Originally Posted by doc73

I believe you want to pin over the rear axle. Not in front or behind. Mine is pretty much right over my axle.

I've never owned a 5th wheel so I could be wrong. I thought with an 8' bed the hitch was setup with the pin about 4" in front of the rear axel. Some how I read/heard this is ideal. Now with everyone driving 6.5' beds it had to be moved back to prevent hitting the cab.

Jim M.

[doc73]

Originally Posted by jimmarako

I've never owned a 5th wheel so I could be wrong. I thought with an 8' bed the hitch was setup with the pin about 4" in front of the rear axel. Some how I read/heard this is ideal. Now with everyone driving 6.5' beds it had to be moved back to prevent hitting the cab.



Jim M.

And that might make sense. Seems many of the long bed trucks now really set the rear wheels back far.