Sliding hitch

[h2ojocky]

I have a 2004 Chevy 2500HD SB, D/A and am looking to buy a fifth wheel hitch. I understand that I need to get a sliding hitch, but am confused as to whether to get a manual slider or an automatic one, like a superglide. Those of you that have short beds, do you use the slider much? Any advice would be appreciated.

[Montana Sky]

I ran a 2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD crew cab D/A for over 6 years towing my 3400RL. I had the 16K Superglide and highly recommend the Superglide for your application. It worked flawlessly and not having to do anything other than drive was worth the extra cost upfront when purchasing the Superglide.

[brenkco]

I opted for a 16k superglide. It has served us well. The main reason I went with the superglide vs. the manual is that I'm in the insurance business. I have seen too many claims when "they forgot to release the manual slide" causing lots of damage to the cab of the truck and trailer. Being the forgetful type myself, I went with the no brainier!

Ken

[WeBeFulltime]

I don't see the need for a slider of any type with my current Montana and short bed Dodge. Don't even come close to hitting back of cab. I don't want to put mine in the position that it would take to make contact because it puts too much stress on the fiver suspension!

[nosticks]

I have the manual slider. I have never used it. Just there as an insurance policy.

[jimcol]

I have a manual slide and use it all the time. I have to use it to get into my driveway. Just made it habit to slide it whenever we enter the campground. Seems to make manuvering the 5'er easier even if it's not needed. In over 50,000 miles of towing can only remember twice when I felt I had to use it to get out of a jam. With the husky hitch we have operating the slider is pretty easy. Jim

[2Wanderers]

I have only used my slider once. However, the once I needed it, I really needed it. Manual is cheaper than the auto and leaves you with a trailer hitch others can hook up to (dealer, service, etc.). Round tube manual binds less than flat rail (supposedly). Keep it lubed. Even so they scream a little when shifting between front to rear position. As often as you need it, so whats a little noise.

[DQDick]

Since we have a short bed Dodge we got a manual slider. I've done some really sharp backing (including a 180 around the laundry building where we are now) over all types of drops and dips and never had to use it. There were a couple of times, including this time, when I had Joyce watch the cab and trailer, but it's always made it. If I had the older square front Monty I'd use it every time, however.

[sola123]

We have the super glide in our long bed f350 ...the same one we had in our short bed f250... Works just fine, no problems for the six years we have owned it..we camp about 50 days a year...travel between 5-7k miles per year....we use the dry slip plate spray...works wonderful...at least it seems that way...love it being an auto slider even though we don't need it....

[Rondo]

Russel you haven't told us what type or year of Montana you have. We tug a 2004 model and I have the short bed with a manual Reese slider in it. I have used it numerous times. It has saved me having to replace the back window in my TV and body repair on both the Monte and the TV. The newer Montana's have a new front cap that is more aerodynamic and a whole lot easier to tow and turn with. My DW has taken the drivers school twice at the Fall Rally just as a refresher course and she said she can't believe how much easier the new cap is than ours on our 2004.

[steelpony5555]

When I had my old 2500 short bed I also had the manuel slider for a just in case. In 2 years of traveling around the country I never once used it but it was there just in case. I avoided turning that tight for 2 reasons 1 I didn't want to have to get out and go thru the rig-a-ma-roll of sliding it, and 2 I never wanted to turn that tight on my tires. Make a really tight turn some time and watch your tires. I think that is part of the problem with belts separating and blowing the tire....just my opinion but next time you see someone turn at at 90 degrees just watch the tires.

[dpam]

I have a Reese 16K round tube slider that I had in our 2008 GMC 2500HD regular box (6 ft) and because of the front nose of the 2010 Montana I never used it. I now have a 2011 GMC 3500 HD regular box (6 ft) and never had to use the slider because of the nose of the 2010 Montana. To be safe I feel it is still a good idea to get a round tube slider. I had a rectangular flat slider in the past and in my opinion it was useless because it would not slide, which is why I bought a round tube slider.

All the best.

[Dave Nowlin]

I had a manual Husky Slider. One time while pulling into a fuel pump in a tight place I blew out the back sliding window in my King Ranch. It also put a small dent in the back of the cab. Thankfully I was going very slow and stopped as soon as the back window was broken so I didn't bend the back of the cab in even more. That cost my insurance company $1,000. I now have a PullRite and wouldn't tow without one again. I never have to worry and can simply drive without that in the back of my mind. I have really navigated some tight spots since getting the PullRite that I wouldn't have dreamed of going before.

[Art-n-Marge]

If I had a short bed (had one prior to the fifth wheel days), I would get a slider and if I had to get a slider, it would be automatic. The only people I have heard of that do NOT have a short bed problem are those with an automatic slider since they've paid a little extra to NOT worry about it. All the others have had a problem, forgot to use a manual, or will have a problem in a matter of time.

I wouldn't worry about a few more dollars that can be amortized over time and relieve any extra thought for driving and backing other than where the exterior corners are at all times and that's it. Why stress on the pivot point, too? I guess I like the way Dave Nowlin thinks.

That's only my opinion and why I would invest a little more in the autoslider. I do want to give credit and kudos for those that aren't using an autoslider or a slider at all and have avoided problems, but I have too many "Murphy" moments to want to add more to my life. I have also seen too many chipped front caps and damaged truck cabs, not including the ones that have already removed their evidence of a mishap.

[h2ojocky]

I am still shopping for a Montana and trying to educate myself so not to be hasty and make mistakes. Probably a 2955 RL, between 2003 and 2007.

quote:Originally posted by Rondo

Russel you haven't told us what type or year of Montana you have. We tug a 2004 model and I have the short bed with a manual Reese slider in it. I have used it numerous times. It has saved me having to replace the back window in my TV and body repair on both the Monte and the TV. The newer Montana's have a new front cap that is more aerodynamic and a whole lot easier to tow and turn with. My DW has taken the drivers school twice at the Fall Rally just as a refresher course and she said she can't believe how much easier the new cap is than ours on our 2004.

[Ski Doo]

Another round tube slider here. Had it for an earlier rig and just kept it. Did use it once or twice just because the rig swings easier when the slider is back. Newer style front caps eliminate a lot of the stress.

[tbhd2]

Another option that no one has mentioned is the pivoting pin box from Draw-tite Reesse (Cequent). You don't need a special hitch and anyone can tow your trailer in an emergency. Just worth checking out.

[gduff]

We have the pullrite slider as well. The cost is more up front but well worth it imho.

[CORattler]

Another PullRite owner/user here. I got mine before getting the Monty and have been using it since. For me, it's a worthwhile investment. I have a lot to think about when operating my rig and one less concern is worth that extra $$$ I paid for the hitch. I expect to get a lot of years use out of it. Never had a problem with it.

[sgtpp214]

Happy Pullrite owner here for the past 8yrs.