Pullrite Autoslide

[kozzy]

OK, I asked questions in another thread, about my hitch upgraded, decided and purchased a Pullrite autoslide 2900. So, any one out there with this hitch might be able to answer some questions for me that I have not figured out yet?

1) its a good hitch right, its replacing a Reese manual slide
2) I see the head moves fore and aft, does it not move side to side as well? Seems weird to me casue all the hitches I have looked at have fully articulating heads, and this one dosent, if it does its pretty stiff and I cant figure it out.

3) Its heavy, I can see how to take the head off, to lighten the load, any other parts that can be removed so one person and get it in and out of the truck? My reese can separate into 2 parts, very easy for me to get in and out without assistance..

Thanks in advance...

[Capt Kidd]

Yes it moves from side to side as it slides back. If your hitch is like mine there are some pins coming thru the bed with lock pins in them. Remove the lock pins and hitch will come off.

[kozzy]

but if you are driving straight the head does not pivot side to side?
Does that make it difficult to hook up if you are not level? or cause any stresses on the truck or hitch?

Also, yes, I know the lock pins remove to take the hitch out, but I was wondering if the hitch had any more points that could be un hooked, like the head, to make it easer to get in and out, since it is such a heavy beast.

Are you happy with it, does it tow nice ? I am a creature of habit and have always had Reese, so this is all new for me, going to a different brand I don't know well..
Had reese all my life, just like my father. BUT they don't have an auto slide and I like that feature

[dhuhn]

The hitch does pivot side to side. The only thing you have to be lined up straight on to hook up, you can be slightly to right or left I think they say not more than 10 degree. I like the hitch pull my Monty well. It is a heavy hitch to take out of the truck as far as I could see you can't take the head off to make it lighter to take it out . I had to use my come a long attached to beam in my garage to lift it out buy myself otherwise I would need two people to do it.
I love the autoslide feature works well. All in all I really like the hitch.

[sola123]

If it is like mine you pretty much have to hook and unhook straight on....but you do have 15 degrees to be off...I had no trouble with uneven hitching etc...I loved mine..had for 7 years with no problems...now have a new long bed so got factory Ford install but put in a new Pullrite 25k....

[rohrmann]

The spring that holds the side to side movement of the hitch head is very stiff, but does move, even when needed when hitching up. One of the annual maintenance items is, lubing the pivot bolt with axle grease. The instructions are in your manual, but you will see the spring in the parts breakdown that holds the hitch head. Another thing, every day, prior to hitching up, WD40 must be sprayed on the ways and the vertical bolt pivot. Also, remember to adjust the front bolt that keeps tension on the slide mechanism so you don't have the slider moving when driving without the trailer, and also this eliminates the banging when starting and stopping with the trailer attached. Another item to be aware of is the roller nut. It should be torqued to 150 ft lbs. I have a new one coming, as after 3 1/2 years, the bearing is seizing, causing the nut to loosen. Even out of warranty, Pullrite is supplying a new one free, except for shipping cost. Great company to work with.

[kozzy]

Thanks for all the great info, I was concerned, on the IRV forum there was a thread about one failing. I know they all can fail, but being new to me it made me nervous. Not to mention that I cant pivot the thing side to side, but then again, it is still in the box. I saw how to remove the head, which lightened it up about 50 LBS, but the other 170 is still gonna be a bear to get in and out alone.
Seems like it does need a lot of maintenance, but worth it for the auto slide... I cant wait to try it out. I got the capture plate right from Mor/Ryde so it is direct replacement, and should work nice. Pull right makes one too, but I figured if Mor/Ryde made it for their box, I would go with that one.
Being brand new, do I need to lube that pivot bolt right out of the box??? probably not a bad idea.

[rohrmann]

No need to lube anything except the ways from when it's new. The ways came coated with a graphite spray, but still use the WD40. The capture plate I got was made by Pullrite, but for the Mor Ryde pin box. The capture plate goes on in addition to the plate on the pin box, and there are also four white blocks that go into existing holes in the pin box that restricts the sideways movement, so there is only the front to rear action of the pin box. There should be instructions on what the torque is when reinstalling the four bolts into the guide rods.

[twindman]

I think once you get it installed you can tilt it side to side. Just push down on the handle.
Oh, and they are a very good company. I bought a new Mountaineer and the dealer installed the wrong hitch plate - cost over $100. I thought it didn't seem right so I stopped at the main pullrite office on the way to the fall national montana rally in Goshen. They gave me a brand new one and installed it while I waited. Also, talked to the original owner for over an hour!!! He was very happy to talk to us - looking for something to do, I think. He patented the design and was some sort of engineer.

[kozzy]

All good to hear. This makes me feel a lot better about my choice

[Mudchief]

I have been using mine for 10 years. All I do is spray it with WD40 before each trip. The one thing you need to know is when unhooking you need to put the truck in reverse and take the pressure off the pin. If I don't do that it is very hard to pull the leaver.

[Mike117]

I bought mine last year because of a short box. I love it and you can be off a little and still hitch but I prefer to be lined up. I think the suggestion on the bolt tighten is a good one. Hit the brakes once without the trailer and felt and heard a bang. Thought I got rear ended. I am new to the 5th wheel family so I am learning a ton from folks on this forum. With pull rite I can make sharp turns and never worry about rig and truck hitting one another. You will like it. One last thing it is heavy so I haven't taken mine out and hope I don't.

[kingdaddy]

I've had my Superglide 4100 (16k) for about 5 years and it has always worked great! I also have the Superrails so I can remove the hitch and rails and have a smooth bed (although with 4 holes where the pins go).
Just do some basic maintenance as others have said and you will be fine!
Another thing I do is put a bit of 3-in-1 Oil on the pinbox capture plate and also the surface of the hitch head before hitching up.
Put a serious padlock on through the hole where the release handle goes to prevent anyone from pulling the handle just to see what happens...
You're right though, installing and removing it really is a two person job!

[kozzy]

I always locked my reese, but the new pullrite, my model, does not have a love . manual says the 16K model is the only one with the lock holes. I have the Ram OEM fifth wheel kit, so when I take the hitch and adaptor out, nothing is in my bed, I love it, but I like taking the hitch out when not is use, so its gonna be fun getting it in and out of the truck. Would be earlier if it came apart in a few pieces, I know the head comes off, but that base still weighs a ton....

[h2ojocky]

I mounted a ATV winch from beam in garage. Push a button and up comes the hitch. Lower it onto a furniture dolley.

[kozzy]

well its heavy, but I got it in. brought the 5er home from storage today, wow. this hitch is great. no chucking ( the more ryde pin box is new to me too) and it worked as advertised, no clunking at all. I like it. This week, I need to just do my water fileter install. have some great ideas ro hard pipe that baby in with pex. More to come on that.

[Drifty1]

I love my hitch.. I you are over the 10 deg off when unhitching just pull the pins on the side of head and lift the head off the truck.. I had to do that for the first time the other day and it worked quite well even though it takes a little longer to line back up.

[kozzy]

Nice tip. Thanks. That's a great work around

[rames14]

I mounted a Harbor Freight electric hoist in the garage. I back the truck in, use two plastic coated steel cables I made up and then just lift it enough to drive the truck out. Then I lower it onto a furniture dolly. Simple one person method to remove the hitch at home and store out of the way.

[fauch]

My owner's manual clearly says to keep the slides coated with "Slip Plate" graphite spray. If yours has steel-on-steel slides, WD40 will not prevent galling of the slide surfaces.