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07-23-2016, 06:55 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Newbury Park
Posts: 131
M.O.C. #11329
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Bed size
While in Zion NP last week, one in a Chevy and one in a GMC were pulling their fivers(SOB) with 6 1/2 foot beds and NOT using a slider hitch. Do any of you see a problem using a B & W Companion hitch on a 6 1/2 bed instead of a 8 foot bed? They both said they had no problems towing or turning, just had watch clearance while backing up.
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07-23-2016, 07:09 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,677
M.O.C. #12947
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I use a Pullrite slider, and have seen a number of crushed cabs along with the damage to the front of the fivers in tow, with the 6 1/2 ft beds. A lot of people get along without sliders, so it's a personal thing, if you are diligent to take care when turning, you'll be OK, otherwise, you may want to rethink not using an auto-slider.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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07-23-2016, 07:44 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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I have seen cracked or damaged rear cabs from non-slider users. Like the sayings apply for many other lucky folks, there are two kinds, those that have had a problem, and those will eventually have a problem. I have been in enough tight scrapes that imply that if I did NOT have my long bed, a short bed without a slider (auto or manual), would have been a lot worse off. Like Clint Eastwood said once, "Do you feel lucky?"
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07-24-2016, 01:22 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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Actually it depends on the design of the front cap. Ours is of a newer design with the "chopped-off" corners for lack of a better word. I tow with my 2012 F350 short bed with a fixed B & W hitch and have no problems. I will add that I am a retired trucker with over 3 million safe miles logged. I am very cautious when making turns and backing so not to make it too sharp and damage the suspension first and this automatically prevents contact of the Monty and truck. I have seen first hand what will happen to a trailers suspension if too tight a turn is made especially if loaded heavy. One does not have to "jack" a trailer to the point of contact in order to back into a campsite. PRACTICE!
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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07-24-2016, 02:00 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Ontario
Posts: 722
M.O.C. #1328
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Used to have a slider but never used it. I can get to almost 90 deg with my truck which is more stress that I want to put on the trailer axles.
__________________
Mike & Donna Ishler Ontario, NY KE2LU FN13
2017 3720RL TST S637's
2017 Dodge 3500 Laramie CTD 4x4 Auto
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07-24-2016, 04:19 AM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Clermont
Posts: 289
M.O.C. #17920
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Blew the back window out of my brand new short bed in a forward u-turn but with our older Monty (with a slider not in use, obviously). That was an expensive lesson to learn it can happen no matter how careful you think you are.
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07-24-2016, 05:44 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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It's not just the rounded front it's also the pin box. At the central states Rally we noticed that my Mor/Ryd pin box was twice as long as the pin box on a brand new Monty. My old slider went over 40,000 miles and made some really tight turns without ever being used but I still bought a Pull-Rite because this way Joyce won't always have to get out and watch and someday the problem will be out there waiting for me.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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07-24-2016, 07:13 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,135
M.O.C. #1920
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We have a short bed 2013 Ram. I have not had to use the slider (I have one) since our 2010 Montana. As mentioned, the cap design and truck design make a big difference. On our mountain driveway, I have both a sharp turn and a drop off as we head downhill. I have not had to use the slider. The drive is so steep, we use 4 wheel drive low and almost stall out going up the hill. We have a lower pad for use in the winter that means we have to back out about 1/4 mile on a narrow road. But, I will keep the slider just in case.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
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07-24-2016, 04:23 PM
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#9
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Treynor
Posts: 62
M.O.C. #18448
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2012 Ram SB with an Anderson goose neck tripod and BW flip over ball. Our Monte is a 2016 with rounded corners and have been really close to 90 with no problems. With that being said, been looking for a new Ram DRW long box.
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07-24-2016, 04:26 PM
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#10
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Treynor
Posts: 62
M.O.C. #18448
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I should add I have seen more trucks with damage from forgetting to lock them in, than from cab corners. GOL
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07-24-2016, 05:17 PM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Eureka
Posts: 276
M.O.C. #14208
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I have a 2015 F350 and a 2014 Monte 3582RL with rounded corners. I have to make a tight turn to get into my driveway and have not had a problem. It is close and I watch it closely but no problems so far.
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08-02-2016, 05:15 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Depends on temps
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #13157
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Bed size:
Truck: 8'
Montie: King size
__________________
2012 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 4x4 3.73 Tow Max Pkg B&W Companion 60 gal RDS aux fuel tank. 2014 Montana 3150RL, 2 A/C's, Leather, 6 Point Jacks, Splendede WD2100XC, Mor/ryde X-Factor, Duravis 250 tires with TST 507RV monitors. 2 x Honda EU2000's
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08-02-2016, 06:48 AM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Fort Wayne
Posts: 477
M.O.C. #17609
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The difference in cost on my hitch was about $300 to add the slider and that was cheap insurance compared to any possible damage. Several of the state parks I've been to have single lane roads and place the sites so there isn't much turning room if its crowded so it has been close too needing it at times but not yet.
__________________
2016 Montana 3160RL w/MOR/Ryde IS and Disc Brakes
855W Solar System, TriStar MPPT-60 Controller, Magnum 2800W Inverter, 6 Trojan T-105REs
2015 Chevy Duramax SRW SB Crew Cab
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08-03-2016, 05:28 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: STAYTON
Posts: 1,118
M.O.C. #18157
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by offroad71
While in Zion NP last week, one in a Chevy and one in a GMC were pulling their fivers(SOB) with 6 1/2 foot beds and NOT using a slider hitch. Do any of you see a problem using a B & W Companion hitch on a 6 1/2 bed instead of a 8 foot bed? They both said they had no problems towing or turning, just had watch clearance while backing up.
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I went back and forth with that very question. The owner of the shop that sold me the Companion said "You won't have any problem with a Ford. Chevy maybe, Dodge definately. The Ford has the most rearward hitch location for the turnover ball". He was right, I can get all but 90* to the trailer but a lifetime of truck driving has taught me at 90* you're dragging it sideways and wasting effort. There's no reason to turn that short.
Mark
__________________
“Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.”
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08-03-2016, 09:00 PM
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#15
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Waitsburg
Posts: 55
M.O.C. #11216
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by offroad71
While in Zion NP last week, one in a Chevy and one in a GMC were pulling their fivers(SOB) with 6 1/2 foot beds and NOT using a slider hitch. Do any of you see a problem using a B & W Companion hitch on a 6 1/2 bed instead of a 8 foot bed? They both said they had no problems towing or turning, just had watch clearance while backing up.
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08-03-2016, 09:05 PM
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#16
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Waitsburg
Posts: 55
M.O.C. #11216
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We have been full time for over 5 years and have traveled all over the USA and part of Canada. We pull with an F350 that has a short bed. We have a standard 5th wheel hitch. Thanks to the way Montana builds their front cap we have never had a problem, and we have backed into some really tight places.
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