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Old 07-23-2016, 06:55 PM   #1
offroad71
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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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Old 07-23-2016, 07:09 PM   #2
rohrmann
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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.
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Old 07-23-2016, 07:44 PM   #3
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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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Old 07-24-2016, 01:22 AM   #4
WeBeFulltime
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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!
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Old 07-24-2016, 02:00 AM   #5
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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.
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Old 07-24-2016, 04:19 AM   #6
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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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Old 07-24-2016, 05:44 AM   #7
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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.
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Old 07-24-2016, 07:13 AM   #8
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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.
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Old 07-24-2016, 04:23 PM   #9
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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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Old 07-24-2016, 04:26 PM   #10
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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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Old 07-24-2016, 05:17 PM   #11
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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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Old 08-02-2016, 05:15 AM   #12
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Bed size:

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Old 08-02-2016, 06:48 AM   #13
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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.
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Old 08-03-2016, 05:28 PM   #14
MARK A
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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.
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.

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Old 08-03-2016, 09:00 PM   #15
Paul Mantz-Powers
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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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Old 08-03-2016, 09:05 PM   #16
Paul Mantz-Powers
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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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