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Old 07-10-2018, 10:45 PM   #21
Rondo
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We've got a manual slider and have used it several times but one time I did not and it cost me a back window and a small dent in the back corner of the cab. Thought I had plenty of room in the turn around at a campground and I was definitely wrong. I'm cheap and went with the manual slider but I have upgraded the head of the hitch to a 20K instead of the 16K that was on the original one.
 
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Old 07-12-2018, 06:11 AM   #22
Wayner197
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Reese Manual Slider Issues

I’m getting ready to move up to a Demco Autoslider after having two issues with my Reese manual slider. At Fort Wilderness (Disney World) this week and of course my site was extremely tight and of course on a corner. So for the second time in 3 months I get out of the truck and attempt to relocate the slider handle. Seems easy but both times I’ve had great difficulty in getting it to lock in the maneuvering position. After about 20 minutes and with others helping me, we got it to lock in. NO MORE! This will be the last tow with this hitch. My son has a Demco autoslider and it works great.
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Old 07-13-2018, 07:50 PM   #23
Bad Moon
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I have a Husky 16k slider. Good hitch, but I have never needed to use the slider after 26 months.
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Old 07-13-2018, 08:47 PM   #24
Montana Man
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I have a 2014 3500 Ram mega cab short bed. It has the factory fifth wheel hitch mount and I installed the B&W hitch. This combination with my 2016 Montana 3160 allows a nearly 90 degree turn with room to spare. It is able to turn sharper than I would attempt to turn anyway. The B&W has adjustments which allow a front to rear setting to accomodate the cab clearance you want. Mine isn't even set to the rearmost setting. It is the most solid hitch I have ever used. The fewer moving parts, the better. Just my $0.02.
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Old 07-14-2018, 02:09 AM   #25
jeffba
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I have a Husky slider. To pull the pin to get it to slide I hurt my shoulder. I fixed it with LWB.
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Old 07-14-2018, 07:50 AM   #26
JetMech
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Reese Side Winder Pinbox

I have a short bed truck. I had a Reese Sidewinder Pinbox install on my Montana. I moves the pivot point about two feet to the rear. Works great and makes backing easier as well
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Old 07-14-2018, 08:27 AM   #27
JetMech
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More Sidewinder info...

Cab clearance has, in the past, been addressed with 5th wheel hitch changes. However, I have found the best way to address this issue is a change of the pinbox.

I had a slider for about 5 years. I had a couple of issues with it. First and foremost you better not forget to let your tailgate down BEFORE you slide your hitch. Unless your pinbox is set really high, the aft end of you pinbox will hit the front side of your tailgate. Now, you're in a real predicament because your hitch is LOCKED in the rear position and it's jammed into your tailgate so bad you can't get your tailgate to unlock. Plus it will damage your tailgate. The other issue is the loud clunking sound when starting and stopping. A slider has to be able to slide, so the mechanism has to have a good bit of slop in it to work. All this slop makes a lot of banging back and forth when starting and stopping. This can't be good for the hitch or the RV.

The Reese Sidewinder binbox swivels where it mounts to the RV not at the 5th wheel. There is a large steel block that bolts onto the pinbox directly behind the pin. This block prevents the pinbox from turning at the 5th wheel by tightly fitting in the 5th wheel entrance channel. This moves the pivot point back to the pinbox mount on the RV which is usually over 2 feet to the rear. This gives plenty of cab clearance for the truck. I've had mine at a full 90 degrees with no problem.

Reese also has what they call the Airborne Sidewinder. I actually have this one installed on my Monty. It has an air shock installed within the pinbox to help reduce hitch shock.

This pinbox is way better than the slider I had. Reese is not the only manufacture of this type of pinbox. I only mention it because it is the brand I have and I LOVE IT!!!!

Hope this helps.
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Old 07-15-2018, 01:15 PM   #28
canuck1943
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I have short bed Denali Hd with A pullrite auto slider. Awesome hitch, worry free towing. Do not get a manual slider!
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Old 07-15-2018, 01:25 PM   #29
Mark N.
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Why buy 300 lbs of pig steel to carry in your bed? That also requires 3 guys or a winch to remove? I pulled a 3400RL for 5 years in a RAM 3500 short bed using the Andersen Ultimate Hitch. I've changed trailers now, but NEVER that hitch!
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Old 07-15-2018, 01:44 PM   #30
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Pullrite Superglide

Another vote for a Pullrite SuperGlide. It’s a pita to take out because of the weight but foolproof in operation.
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Old 07-15-2018, 01:49 PM   #31
JWSwick
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Slider?

I have a 2015 GMC Short box and my 2015 Montana barely touches my cab but enough to do damage to both... highly recommend slider, I use one and it works great!!
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Old 07-15-2018, 01:56 PM   #32
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Traded in Short Bed

I just traded my 2015 Ram 2500 shorty for a 18 LWB problem solved.
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Old 07-15-2018, 02:08 PM   #33
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Looks like you’ve gotten some good responses. We went from a long bed to a short and did tons of research before purchasing ours, we went with the Demco auto slider to use with our Montana. Best decision ever made we love it, and have never even had a close call hitting the cab. I highly recommend the Demco.
Good luck and hope this helps.
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Old 07-15-2018, 02:32 PM   #34
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Hitch Help

I have been towing the same Montana as yours with a SB Ram 2500 for over a year. I have never needed to use my slider, but would recommend one. I have seen too many people get into trouble backing into and pulling out of tight spaces.
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Old 07-15-2018, 02:57 PM   #35
LBMIKE24
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Demco

I suggest a auto side from Demco
I have been full timing for 10 yrs and have broken my rear window 2 times I switched to the 18 k demco auto slide this yr it works great and is built very well
A bit pricey but the best on market and great customer service
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Old 07-15-2018, 03:23 PM   #36
Waricha
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With a short box, you definitely need a slider. If you make a tight turn without it, you will cause extensive damage to the front cap of the camper and break the rear window on your truck.
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Old 07-15-2018, 03:25 PM   #37
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Recommend Pullrite. Have that in a short F250 with low profile tool box. With the Pullrite you never have to get out of the truck.
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Old 07-15-2018, 03:31 PM   #38
jloftice
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Pullinga 2013 3402RL with 2012 Ram short bed with a slider. Takes the worry out.
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Old 07-15-2018, 03:32 PM   #39
Ted4110
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Short box and hitch

We have been towing with a short box the last three years and have been good to go so far. We tow with an Anderson Hitch and love it. The hitch does give us some extra inches to play wth and we have made several tight turns backing up in the past. Just got to pay attention to what your doing and you should be fine

Good luck
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Old 07-15-2018, 03:40 PM   #40
Dixie Flyer
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Hitch help

Quote:
Originally Posted by Craigboyajian View Post
We are purchasing a 2017 Montana 3710FL and will be pulling with short box Ram. Question :
Do I need a slider or will standard hitch work with the Montana? I was told the Cap is molded to accept a regular hitch??

True/Untrue??

Thanks!

You definitely need a slider hitch. There are many on the market so do your homework before buying. I have a Pullrite Superglider hitch. I love the hitch once it is hooked up but it is a pain in the butt to hook up. It is not for the novice or the weak at heart as there are many variables that come into play for a successful hook and unhook operation. If you know someone who has a slider hitch talk to them before you buy.
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