Best Fifth Wheel Hitch

[35mastr]

I have a 2004 low mile under 50k on the speedo GMC 2500 HD Crew Cab 4x4 Short Bed.
I am looking at a Montana Mountaneer 358RLT
11410 shipping weight.

I am looking for the best sliding hitch on the market right now and would like opinions on the ones you guys are using. I searched this subject but the threads are older and not very up to date.

[Art-n-Marge]

Don't look at the shipping weight! It's the gross weight rating and the actual gross weight you need to be concerned about. After picking up that rig and starting to put stuff in it, it will probably never weigh that again unless you are getting rid of it.

Then calculate 18% to 25% of the gross weight rating of the trailer for the possible pin weight and this is how residential fifth wheel trailers weigh out. This weight will be on your rear axle, which is then added to the gross vehicle weight and hopefully the combined gross weight rating is still under. If anyone tells you a fifth wheel is only 15%, then they're talking horse or utility ratings that don't have much weight at the pin. Residential trailers have the bulk of the storage and size at the pin.

Also consider short bed slider (especially automatic slider) hitches typically weigh more than conventional fifth wheel hitches because of the increase in necessary hardware. Everything you put into the truck and truck bed will take away from the cargo or tow weight ratings. Good luck with the weight ratings versus actual weights.

[rvgwen]

We did a lot of research on this subject and decided on the 18k Superglide automatic. Hope this helps, good luck....

[racerjoe]

I just switched from a manual reese slider to a superglide.now just waiting on a truck to put it in

[fauch]

another vote for the Superglide!!!

[sola123]

Another vote for super glide....used one for 5 yrs in our short bed and use it now in our long bed...no problems ever with it...

[fauch]

another vote for the Superglide!!!

[CORattler]

Superglide, hands down! I've had zero problems with it and the operation is fully automatic. I have the super rails installed that allows me to remove the hitch and have full use of my truck bed. Be sure to take a look at this option if full bed use is important to you.
Go to this link for manufacturers website.
http://www.pullrite.com/superglide_18.htm
BTW, welcome to the MOC!

[DQDick]

We have a Reese 15K slider with a Reese 20K head on it. Haven't had to use the slider since the first day we owned the trailer. If we had a need for the slider I'd vote with the Superglide folks, but as it is I'll use the manual if a need arises.

[richard66]

One more vote for the superglide

[Chasnracin]

Not trying to hijack the thread, but does anyone have any experience with the Hijacker non-slider for a LWB? Local dealer has a good deal on them right now.

[pineranch]

Staying with the thread theme, very happy with the superglide. Bought it for the short bed and find that it works just as well with the long bed.
Mike

[bear]

Superglide 18k best there is !!!!!!!!!!

[sailer]

Super glide Best ..sailer

[35mastr]

I found a Model 4100 that has about 3000 miles on it for a real good deal about 3 hours down south. I just hope he still has it when I go down there at the end of the month. Its a 16 K unit. I am wondering if its going to be enough. Pullrite is pretty proud of there products. Even the mounting kits are pretty spendy.

[racerjoe]

It looks liken it is a 16000 pound hitch. it will be more than enough as you are looking at about 12000 gross from your info. I would not worry about it,if the price is right,go for it.

[35mastr]

He is asking 500.00. Thats kind of hard to pass up.

[Art-n-Marge]

35mastr mentioned an 11410 shipping weight of the rig. Estimate about 3,000 lbs of gear and fluids in the rig and the gross would be more like about 14,400. The Fifth Wheel hitch should always exceed the fifth wheel tow rating. For example, my TV has a max fifth wheel tow of 15,300 so my 16K Husky/Valley hitch is good and probably the 16K he's looking for should suffice even if it is some kind of slide hitch that might weigh more than my non-slider hitch.

With the curb weight of my TV, with only me and the fifth wheel hitch, I can only tow about 14,800 lbs to keep the other weights in line and it's because the truck weighs about 8,200 with the hitch and a full tank of fuel. This is why I mention the ratings can be affected by other things we don't think about, like what the hitch weighs, what the truck actually weighs after driving it off the lot and with all its accessories and options and how much other cargo you're carrying, and how many passengers, pets, and other stuff you carry in the truck.

I am only mentioning this because the shipping weight of my rig was documented as 11,650, but at the lot with the options it had a trailer label shipping weight of 12,040. After loading it up with gear it now weighs 13,500 and there's 19% at the pin (2600lbs). After I use it while RVing and the tanks get full it's got to be close to the max of 14,040 of the trailer's GVWR which is why I don't like to tow with full tanks.

The 16K hitch doesn't sound like it's going to be a problem but the 3/4 ton truck's rear axle and gross vehicle weight rating might be over by a little bit. Just know this is a possibility as you wander the country with your rig. And installing the hitch is important too. The hitch must be in front of the rear axle by some amount for the weights and strengths to hold up.

I think that is a great price especially for a slider hitch, but then there's installation cost unless you do it yourself (I hope it comes with good instructions). Pullrite is pricey because it's one of the best our there.

[mobilcastle]

I had a Super Glide with my old short bed truck and it worked great. It is a heavy hitch. Good luck.

[Lee F.]

SuperGlide.