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03-24-2018, 06:02 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 357
M.O.C. #21337
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RAM 3500 Mega / Slider or not?
Hello,
I searched and read a lot but still lost.
We are new to the 5th wheels and try to get a proper understanding on the slider / no slider hitch option.
Most people tell us no slider needed for our planed setup.
We have a RAM 3500 Mega Cab short bed, SRW.
The Trailer we are looking at is a Montana High Country 305RL
The Hitch we want is a B&W Companion turnover ball mount
Can someone please let me know with real world experience, maybe with our combo, if we will survive without the Companion Slider version?
What are your thoughts?
I would like to avoid the slider mainly because of the weight when I have to get it in and out of the truck bed.
Also the payload does not have to much play in our combo and it would be nice also here to have a lighter hitch.
Other than that I think better have it and not use it ...
Thanks for your help,
Mike
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03-24-2018, 06:21 AM
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#2
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Livermore
Posts: 321
M.O.C. #17521
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You will get a lot of opinions here on sliders. Personally I don't think you need one because the B&W hitch is adjustable. You cna move it back if you think you will have a problem. You just need to test your setup out before you take it on the road. I had a problem with mine on a hill going up to make a tight turn. Had no problem in my neighborhood doing a 180 turn but When I was going uphill My trailer broke the back window. Now I had tested it at home and found out the hard way that the hitch was to close. So I moved my hitch back one hole and that fixed my clearance problem. My advice is to start with one hole back and start there. Weight doesn't have to be directly over the axle but with the design of the B&W it doesn't change anything.
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03-24-2018, 09:48 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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We have a Dodge Maxi and have towed two different Montana's over 75,000 miles with it. Our first slider had a problem with rusting because we never used it. Then we got a Pullrite and needed it twice due to uneven ground and the turn necessary. If you really want to make a decision call your dodge dealer and ask how much a new rear window costs, you'll be surprised.
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03-24-2018, 11:34 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bee Branch
Posts: 2,620
M.O.C. #20693
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Safe lite replaced my rear window in my former Ford F-250. $400!
If have an issue on the road I highly recommend Safelite. They will come to you and do a great job. We were able to just stay at the campground and enjoy our camper while they fixed the window!!
Oh and that experience is why I strongly recommend long beds to folks that haven’t towed before....but that will start a “get your popcorn debate” so let’s pretend I didn’t say it.
__________________
James & Irene Wilson
Bee Branch, AR.
2017 Ram 1 ton diesel duallyCrew Cab/Long Bed
2018 Montana High Country 381TH Garage Full of Toys
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03-24-2018, 12:10 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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We just went with a long bed....Twice.
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03-24-2018, 03:02 PM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Medford
Posts: 498
M.O.C. #18546
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Short bed (6.5') on my Silverado. Have a slider hitch, but never had to use the slide in 2 years, but it has been tight, so I keep a close eye on it in tight turns. The newer 5ers have pretty good clearance on flat ground.
__________________
2016 Montana High Country 310RE
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD LT CC 4x4 Duramax
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03-25-2018, 06:24 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 357
M.O.C. #21337
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Thank You. I think I'll check with my dealer again
I hope we could do some testing slider vs non before we hit the road.
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03-25-2018, 06:38 AM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Fowler
Posts: 414
M.O.C. #12748
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Quote:
Originally Posted by suny07
Thank You. I think I'll check with my dealer again
I hope we could do some testing slider vs non before we hit the road.
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I have pulled 5th wheels since 1995 with short beds (6.5 foot) and have never had a slider, although have seen a number of trucks with damaged cab and or back windows smashed. One had to be very careful when backing into some spots that required anything over 65 degrees and or uphill. It became quite challenging and sometimes wasn't able to get into a site because it required too tight of a turn. This was all before the new radius front caps when everything had "square fronts". The newer units cap design has reduced the need for a slider dramatically. My advise is to save your money and the extra problems associated with the slider hitches and go with a conventional good quality hitch. Enjoy your new rig!
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03-25-2018, 07:57 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmthelen
I have pulled 5th wheels since 1995 with short beds (6.5 foot) and have never had a slider, although have seen a number of trucks with damaged cab and or back windows smashed. One had to be very careful when backing into some spots that required anything over 65 degrees and or uphill. It became quite challenging and sometimes wasn't able to get into a site because it required too tight of a turn. This was all before the new radius front caps when everything had "square fronts". The newer units cap design has reduced the need for a slider dramatically. My advise is to save your money and the extra problems associated with the slider hitches and go with a conventional good quality hitch. Enjoy your new rig!
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This is my line of thinking also. To add to this I feel that if one backs in a way that could make the fiver and truck come into contact they are putting way too much stress on the trailers suspension and tires.
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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03-25-2018, 08:40 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bee Branch
Posts: 2,620
M.O.C. #20693
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WeBeFulltime
This is my line of thinking also. To add to this I feel that if one backs in a way that could make the fiver and truck come into contact they are putting way too much stress on the trailers suspension and tires.
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Haven’t tried to park in many tree hugging environmentalist designed government parks eh? I swear they design federal campgrounds to prevent anyone with something other than a tent on a bike from using the spots!!!
__________________
James & Irene Wilson
Bee Branch, AR.
2017 Ram 1 ton diesel duallyCrew Cab/Long Bed
2018 Montana High Country 381TH Garage Full of Toys
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03-25-2018, 08:45 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtlakejim
Haven’t tried to park in many tree hugging environmentalist designed government parks eh? I swear they design federal campgrounds to prevent anyone with something other than a tent on a bike from using the spots!!!
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Happen to use state or COE parks 95% of time but I am a retired trucker with approximately 3.5 million logged miles. Unsure of number of unlogged!
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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03-25-2018, 08:56 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: South East NC
Posts: 1,768
M.O.C. #19865
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My F350 SB has a few inches more than GM and Ram. My 2017 HC has radius front. Figured on buying the Companion but after hitching ordered the B&W Patriot Slider. I may never need it but I'm going to be prepared if I do. Yes, it is heavy at about 220# but very well built in the US with US steel. It takes less than a 90 to have the 5er and truck kiss. The end result is expensive
__________________
John & Patty
2022 3855 BR
2019 Lariat F350 4X4 Dually
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03-25-2018, 10:18 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bee Branch
Posts: 2,620
M.O.C. #20693
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WeBeFulltime
Happen to use state or COE parks 95% of time but I am a retired trucker with approximately 3.5 million logged miles. Unsure of number of unlogged!
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We are the same. Our S&B is only 8 miles from Greer’s Ferry lake and there are at least a dozen COE or State parks less than hours drive of same. We use those nearly every weekend during the summer. But both of us know they aren’t made for big rigs and some of the federal planners don’t like big rigs.
Hats off to you as a pro driver! I drove short haul bobtail at the start of my oilfield career so I respect the drivers. I’m that guy who gets over for ya and actually knows what a turn signal is. In fact, my advice to anyone towing is to go with the flow of the truckers. Get in the rocking chair, setup a cushion and click off miles! If only everyone would drive like that
__________________
James & Irene Wilson
Bee Branch, AR.
2017 Ram 1 ton diesel duallyCrew Cab/Long Bed
2018 Montana High Country 381TH Garage Full of Toys
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04-06-2018, 05:29 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 1,252
M.O.C. #17163
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We had the Anderson ultimate hitch in the back of our 2015 Ram Megacab... With only 2000 miles on the truck, backing into our driveway, the trailer contacted the Truck... 1200 in damage, New back windows plus body and paint work. Anderson contacted me and said they would help.. Like paying for the damage or something... NOPE, they did not pay a thing.. Pullrite and DEMCO both make an auto slider hitch.. Demcos does not require a capture plate..
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04-06-2018, 05:39 PM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 357
M.O.C. #21337
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dfb
We had the Anderson ultimate hitch in the back of our 2015 Ram Megacab... With only 2000 miles on the truck, backing into our driveway, the trailer contacted the Truck... 1200 in damage, New back windows plus body and paint work. Anderson contacted me and said they would help.. Like paying for the damage or something... NOPE, they did not pay a thing.. Pullrite and DEMCO both make an auto slider hitch.. Demcos does not require a capture plate..
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OMG
sorry to hear that ...
we decided to stay with B&W companion without slider.
The pins are set in the most backward position.
Our maneuvers so far did not show alerting issues.
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04-07-2018, 01:40 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: West Richland
Posts: 1,253
M.O.C. #17164
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With most all Fifthwheels now coming with contoured front caps and more importantly an extended Fifthwheel hitch it is a lot easier to use a short box pickup. Years ago the Fifthwheels had square front caps and the hitch pin was directly below the framework. I have a long box and still made contact on a parking lot that sloped down and then sloped up in a very short distance. Truck still has a tiny dent on passenger side of rear window.
Happy and safe roads to you.
Tom Marty
__________________
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04-09-2018, 08:35 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 1,252
M.O.C. #17163
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All i can say is, shortbed, pullrite slider or demco,,, but serious towing, get a dually..longbed..period..
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04-09-2018, 09:05 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: South East NC
Posts: 1,768
M.O.C. #19865
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dam Worker
With most all Fifthwheels now coming with contoured front caps and more importantly an extended Fifthwheel hitch it is a lot easier to use a short box pickup. Years ago the Fifthwheels had square front caps and the hitch pin was directly below the framework. I have a long box and still made contact on a parking lot that sloped down and then sloped up in a very short distance. Truck still has a tiny dent on passenger side of rear window.
Happy and safe roads to you.
Tom Marty
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Lippert makes 2 pinboxes. The extended pinbox is rated to 15K or 16K. 5ers with a gvwr over 15K has the short pinbox or an aftermarket/upgrade. No problem with the short pinbox and the B&W Patriot slider even though I have not had a need for the slider yet.
__________________
John & Patty
2022 3855 BR
2019 Lariat F350 4X4 Dually
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04-09-2018, 09:09 PM
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#19
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Medford
Posts: 498
M.O.C. #18546
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dfb
All i can say is, shortbed, pullrite slider or demco,,, but serious towing, get a dually..longbed..period..
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No such thing as a long bed mega cab. At least not from the factory.
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04-10-2018, 09:08 AM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 1,252
M.O.C. #17163
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bad Moon
No such thing as a long bed mega cab. �� At least not from the factory.
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There are companies that convert the Mega Cab to a LONG BED... One is "extend my truck" out of boise Idaho..
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