Towing with a shortbed

[Briarglenn]

I've been hauling 5th wheels for 30 yrs. All with a short bed ford. No slider hitch. You just take your time parking the rig. You maneuver more. I currently have a 2011 F350 Super Duty w/a Pullrite Superlite hitch pulling a 2018 3790 Montana. Been to Alaska twice and on the road 15 years. No parking problems, just patience. I've got a slider for sale in AZ.

[Sokcap48]

I have a Ram 3500 SB, I have a Pull right auto slider. Love it ! But I don’t really “haul” anything else so no need to worry about taking it out-it stays in all the time.
I would not be without one. It is Auto so My old mind does not have to remember to lock/unlock. And we camp Pretty much any where we want ( that we fit) and have been glad I have it several times. Takes away some worry and I think makes backing into tight spots easier.
Have fun, be safe and most of all Enjoy!

[captian jack]

Originally Posted by B&K

We just purchased a new 295RL. It was delivered to us so haven't towed it yet. We have an F250 shortbed. Am I going to have a clearance issue if I don't have a slider hitch? We previously towed a Cougar with a shortbed with no issues but I noticed the pin box is farther behind the front end cap on the Montana. Thanks in advance.

W e have a short bed also I do have a slide for sale champion for 300.00 got it this year and not the right fit for me.https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...1&d=1611522571

[phillyg]

It depends on the truck and the pin location. I tried no slider with my 2005 F350 SB and 2016 3711FL. Was okay for a while until I turned sharply into a gas station that had a steep incline, and the front corner of the FW kissed the rear truck pillar. I subsequently bought an auto slider.

[BobbyJ]

We're relatively new to the 5th wheel camper and have a lot to learn. Didn't use it much in '20 due to the pandemic. But, in a parking lot, we did check the limits of turning so we would know.
Maybe I'm missing something obvious. I was totally focused on when the trailer cap would get close to the truck rear window. THANKFULLY my spotter (DW) noticed the pin box would hit the inside of the box rail before the window would get hit. Is there something wrong with our set-up?

[StageCoachDriver]

8' bed is a long bed
6'6" bed is a standard bed
5'8" is a short bed

Is you're a short bed or a standard bed?

[kingdaddy]

Originally Posted by StageCoachDriver

8' bed is a long bed
6'6" bed is a standard bed
5'8" is a short bed

Is you're a short bed or a standard bed?

I would respecfully disagree...MOST people would consider a 6'6" (or in my case 6'4") bed a short bed. Yes, there are some even shorter as you noted, but really anything NOT a long bed (8') is generally considered a short bed, not "standard".

But BobbyJ is right...on some setups, you may well have interference with the side rails of the truck bed and the pinbox before you make contact with the trailer nose and cab of the truck.
Many variables to consider, good job on checking it out BEFORE finding out the hard way!

[kowbra]

Originally Posted by StageCoachDriver

8' bed is a long bed
6'6" bed is a standard bed
5'8" is a short bed

Is you're a short bed or a standard bed?

Depends on the manufacturer and the model family.

For RAM, there are not 3 choices in the heavy duty trucks, only "long box" and "short box". The "short box" for RAM heavy duties is 6'4" (the 5'7" box is only available on the 1500 series).

RAM does not use the term "standard box", so anyone here with a RAM short box will be describing the 6'4" box.

Brad

[Creeker]

8' Long bed
6'6" Short bed
5'8" Station Wagon or Wheel Barrow.

[oddjobal]

I tow a 295RK with a Dodge Magacab, I do have a slider but never used it. My 2012 has the front cap that allows for extra clearance. I have never used the slider. My Alpha had the square cap and I used it every time I backed up

[J10er]

A friend (really) had a 2009 GMC 2500HD standard bed diesel towing an Alpinelite 5er. First time he just busted out the rear window with minimal contact. Second time he blew out the window and crushed his cab some. Third time, he put gasoline in the diesel fuel tank and drove off ... a short distance. He sold his equipment shortly after that.
I bought my 2012 Silverado 2500 HD diesel standard bed 4X4 and first thing I bought was the 4400 series 18K Pullrite Superglide hitch and underbed rails kit. No regrets.

[MCJones]

I have a pullrite autoslide hitch I would sell you very reasonably. We used it for our 295rl in an f250 short bed for last summer. I now have a long bed F350 and am going to get a non slide for that truck. The F250 had the OEM puck system and it made installation very easy. I am selling our NC house right now but will be back to the Tarpon Springs area of FL by the third week of February. I will list it on Facebook's Market place as soon as we get back unless you contact me and we can work something out. Mark

[phillyg]

Originally Posted by BobbyJ

......my spotter (DW) noticed the pin box would hit the inside of the box rail before the window would get hit. Is there something wrong with our set-up?

No, the rear of some pinboxes do hit the inside rail. People have had success cutting off the offending edges of the pinbox, but be careful you don't remove too much as it could affect structural integrity.

[BobbyJ]

Thanks for the pin box mod idea. I read that somewhere and forgot it. Will check it out. Apologies to the OP for the side track...

[Darrel]

Hi,

I have a 41’ Montana 5th wheel and I’m using the Super Glide from Pullrite. I have a F350 short bed and it works very well.

Darrel

[kingdaddy]

Originally Posted by Darrel

Hi,

I have a 41’ Montana 5th wheel and I’m using the Super Glide from Pullrite. I have a F350 short bed and it works very well.

Darrel

Can't go wrong with a Superglide! On this shortbed truck I have now, the Goosebox gives me enough clearance...although I haven't tried to back into a true 90 degree angle.

[jwengermt]

We have a short bed 2500HD Chevy. Our fifth wheel has the goose neck extension, which i really like. I put the B&W roll over ball hitch in the truck. I do have to use a 4" extension ball or i would not be able to make tight turns. You don't need to very often, but when you do without the extension you will hit the cab. On the fifth wheel hitch using the slider option would be wise.

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by kingdaddy

I would respecfully disagree...MOST people would consider a 6'6" (or in my case 6'4") bed a short bed. Yes, there are some even shorter as you noted, but really anything NOT a long bed (8') is generally considered a short bed, not "standard".

...

I agree with you that most people consider anything less than an 8' box a short bed.

However, Chevy/GM does use the term standard and long box.

Ford and Ram call them out by their dimensions, and do not use the terms short/standard/long from what I've seen...

[steiny93]

i have a mega cab ram; using a b&w turnover with a b&w companion slider

i've only needed to use the slider maybe once or twice, you can tow without one

i like having the option, but I wouldn't say its required

[ojo123]

i have a 2021 295rl with a short bed 2015 chev 4X4 2500 silverado and do not have any clearance problems with this trailer or truck clearance. my two cents.