Short bed towing

[drsmart]

We have a 2011 Montana and are planning to upgrade our truck. Who is towing with a stationary hitch in a short bed and the "Max Turn" front cap on their trailer? Have there been any issues or close calls?

Thanks
Dave

[BB_TX]

I haven't, but a close friend did (RIP). First he had a Dutchmen 5er with square front corners. Knocked out his back window on a tight back in.
Traded for a 2008 Montana with contoured front corners and no more problems. But he was a little more careful backing also.

[Phil805]

TV is 2010 F250 SB with Crew Cab. Pull 2011 Montana High Country. As of yet, no problem. Got real close to if not 90 degree, without hitting cab. But I'm very careful when backing. I do have a manual slider and have never used it, but always good to have.

Ford short bed is 6 1/2'.

[h2ojocky]

I have the short bed and a auto sliding hitch by Superglide. My Monte is older without the rounded corners. I absolutely need the slider. Many on this forum say that they don't need a slider with the newer Montanas.

[drknapp]

We have a slider in our standard bed and have yet to ever use it. If I replace the truck, I'd probably not put the slider in again.

[mhs4771]

Another one of those "All depends" type of questions. In a perfect world with everything level probably no problem, but throw in some uneven ground while trying to get into that perfect spot and you could have problems, if jack-knifed pretty tight and the Monty tilts one way while the TV tilts the other you could possibility make contact.
Granted the odds are in your favor so you have to weigh the pros and cons and make an informed decision.

[1retired06]

If you are looking at a new truck, a long bed answers all of the above.

[CORattler]

I have a Superglide hitch and a short bed and would never tow without it. Maybe you can get away without one maybe you can't. I don't want to ever find out.

[dpam]

We have a 2011 3500 GMC crew cab 6.6ft box with a Reese manual slider hitch. We have a 2010 - 315ORL Montana. To this point in time I did not have to use the slider feature of the hitch. Because of the design of the front cap of the trailer I did not have to slide the hitch back to make a tight corner. My suggestion is that it would be best to install a slider hitch for your piece of mind in case you might feel you cannot make a tight turn in reverse or forward.

All the best.

[bethandkevin]

No problem here. Previous 5ver with square corners, not so much.

[DQDick]

We have a slider but have never used it. We have been in some unusual and uneven spots. Would I be without the slider. No, because I can't predict the future and may need it someday to get me out of a spot I've got myself into.

[1Happycamper]

Hi Dave

I have a stationary hitch and have not had any problems.

Dave,was that you who waved at us as you were going to the Pilot near the Kentucky Horse Park.

Bill

[h2ojocky]

I am with DQ. I would rather have it and not need it, than need it and NOT have it. Busted rear window, dented cab, dented front cap, Great insurance!

[tanner1070]

I had a slider in my old short bed truck and in 8 years I never found a need to use it. Got my new truck last year, which is also a short bed, and opted to not get a slider this time. Haven't had any problem at all. The max turn cap makes a world of difference. When backing in and the turn is extremely tight, I usually pull forward a couple feet to slightly straighten things out. I wanted a short bed because I can garage the truck when I am not towing with it.

[anglerdad]

We just got our Monte with max turn, and though I've only had it on one trip so far, backing into our uphill driveway is a tight corner with a lip on the entrance--camper goes one way, truck another. No issues at all with my stationary hitch.

[drsmart]

quote:Originally posted by 1Happycamper

Hi Dave

I have a stationary hitch and have not had any problems.

Dave,was that you who waved at us as you were going to the Pilot near the Kentucky Horse Park.

Bill

Hi Bill

We would have been in the Pilot just north of KHP the morning of April 9th.

Dave

[WeBeFulltime]

I have a stationery B & W in my short bed Ram and have never had a problem with our 2012 Montana.

It's my opinion that if you have to make a turn so tight that you hit the back of the cab, you are putting too much stress on the Montana's axles.

[steelpony5555]

Just like Dick I never used mine but still would want it. I avoid jacking my trailer in that tight of a turn at all costs. Too much stress on the tires. People then wonder why the belts separated....

[drsmart]

quote:Originally posted by steelpony5555

Just like Dick I never used mine but still would want it. I avoid jacking my trailer in that tight of a turn at all costs. Too much stress on the tires. People then wonder why the belts separated....

Dave
Looks like you have the standard front cap on the trailer and a short box. If a standard cap has not made contact on a maneuver, the new Max Turn should be fine. I can't recall in 10 years of towing, getting into anything close to 85 degrees of angle.
Dave

[rickandsandy]

we have a 2014 bigsky and a 2013 megacab with the 6.5' box.we put a slider in and havent used it for the montana.if u never move anyone elses trailer u shouldnt need one.