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Old 01-20-2021, 07:34 AM   #1
B&K
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Towing with a shortbed

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.
 
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Old 01-20-2021, 07:42 AM   #2
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Robert,

Welcome to the forum!

An auto slider hitch will do a lot to prevent trailer to truck cab or glass contact when you get the trailer close to 90%. This would likely happen backing into a spot where a big turn is required or a tight uturn.
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Old 01-20-2021, 09:07 AM   #3
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Welcome t the site, I have a slider for those just encase situations with my 6’4” bed. I’ve only had to use it twice in 3 years.
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Old 01-20-2021, 09:09 AM   #4
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Whether you have "issues" or not is 100% up to you. The driver of the tow vehicle. Yes, with a short bed truck it is possible to make contact but it will not do it by itself. You, the driver must put it in a situation to do it. You, the driver can also keep it out of situations where it will make contact.

I know many who have used short beds for a lifetime without issues. I know of others who busted out their back glass within 6 months of ownership.

To be worry free there are two options. A long bed truck or an auto slider hitch. Some say the Anderson and Pullrite A frame type hitches also give more room between front cap and cab but I have no first hand experience.
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Old 01-20-2021, 10:25 AM   #5
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If you check what it will cost to replace the trucks rear window, you won't belive how much it is, then you'll see the value of a slider. We use the Pullrite and just don't even worry about it since it slides on it's own.
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Old 01-20-2021, 12:08 PM   #6
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When I had a slider, I used it once. Then again if you know your turning limits and take things slow, you can get by without it. Most of the newer trailer front caps are now designed for a better turning radius, so the slide is not used or hardly ever needed. I wouldn't rush out to get one until you see how it goes with your first tow. From Robert
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Old 01-20-2021, 01:00 PM   #7
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Agree with the above. I have towed a Montana for 15 years, and SOB before that, with a shortbed Ford with no issues. Just don’t get into a real tight spot, and you'll be fine.
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Old 01-20-2021, 04:14 PM   #8
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We have towed our fivers with a shortbed F250 for eight years and no slider. Have not hit the truck yet! Something I am always aware of and never get in a hurry on tight turns.
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Old 01-20-2021, 04:36 PM   #9
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I towed with a shortbed (Ram MegaCab) using a Pullrite Superglide for 9 years and MANY thousands of miles.
No worries about making contact with the cab, pulled great with no issues in all that time.
Downsides? Big, heavy, expensive.
Not sure that I ever got into a spot where I actually needed that extra room, but it was nice to know I didn't need to worry about it.
I also try very hard to not get into a situation where I need to get very close to a 90 degree turn. Hard on the trailer suspension too.
Of course sometimes you may not have a choice...
Just curious, is it a MorRyde pinbox? Nice floor plan on that trailer BTW, seems like your F250 shortbed should handle it OK (assuming it's not an older model)?
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Old 01-20-2021, 05:21 PM   #10
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Just get an Autoslide hitch.
Then no worries.
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Old 01-20-2021, 05:47 PM   #11
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Thanks for the info. The truck is a 2019. The hitch is a Pro Series 16K with manual slider so I think I will be OK.
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Old 01-20-2021, 05:51 PM   #12
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Thanks to all for the info. I do have a manual slider but never had to use it with the Cougar. I guess I'll just watch closely for awhile until I know when to extend it.
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Old 01-20-2021, 05:58 PM   #13
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Oh, you already have a manual slider? Then you have no worries. Sounds like a very nice setup you've got...enjoy! And welcome to MOC!
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Old 01-21-2021, 08:34 AM   #14
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I have a 2020 294RL and I tow with a 2019 GMC short box. I have a B&W slider hitch but have never used the slider. I can get almost 90 degrees without using the slider so it's been fine so far. The slider hitch is quite a bit heavier that the standard version so in hindsight if I was doing it again I might not by the slider.
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Old 01-21-2021, 10:06 AM   #15
MARK A
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B&K View Post
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.
You didn't say what year pickup, but I Tow our 3160 with a 2012 F350 6'8" bed and a NON- sliding hitch. The Ford hitch mounting is the farthest back of the big 3.I have had zero issues. At 90% or greater, you're not pulling your trailer you're dragging it. The High Country is somewhat lighter than a Montana but I would guess you will need air bags worse than a sliding hitch. (Edit: B&W is my hitch with the Mor ride isolating pin box), Just my .02 cents
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Old 01-21-2021, 01:47 PM   #16
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B&W non slider in my 15 F250 SB Plenty of adjustments in that hitch. A slider is a pain in the but and you may never need it. I have had a issue once and the hitch was to far forward. I just moved the hitch back, problem solved. I have backed into more spaces than I can count and not a problem.
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Old 01-21-2021, 03:34 PM   #17
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...The Ford hitch mounting is the farthest back of the big 3.I have had zero issues. ...
The OP has a Ford, and I think that the statement about the hitch mounting being the farthest back is probably true BEFORE 2020. After 2020, I believe that Chevy/GM is the furthest back, for others that may be watching this thread.

For what it's worth, the short beds in the GM's are actually the longest now too, but only by by about 3/8" over the Fords. But, the length of the bed has nothing to do with your ability to turn any tighter...
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Old 01-21-2021, 07:53 PM   #18
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I own a 2020 Ram 3500 4x4 MegaCab with a 6'-4" bed. I use a SlideRite 2315 that is a 2300 that adapts to the Ram factory puck system. Have had several 5th wheels and have had several SlideRite's. Auto slide hitches are pretty convenient and work really well. If you go with either a manual or auto slide hitch. Try it out in a parking lot. It is a good way to confirm you cannot impinge on your cab as you back up. Ideally you should stop at 90 degrees. Don't go any further. It is a good idea to go slowly and have a spotter in case you cannot go the full 90 degrees.
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Old 01-22-2021, 09:52 AM   #19
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I own a 2020 Ram 3500 4x4 MegaCab with a 6'-4" bed. I use a SlideRite 2315 that is a 2300 that adapts to the Ram factory puck system. Have had several 5th wheels and have had several SlideRite's. Auto slide hitches are pretty convenient and work really well. If you go with either a manual or auto slide hitch. Try it out in a parking lot. It is a good way to confirm you cannot impinge on your cab as you back up. Ideally you should stop at 90 degrees. Don't go any further. It is a good idea to go slowly and have a spotter in case you cannot go the full 90 degrees.
To me, ideally you stop a lot sooner than 90 degrees. Driving forward there is no truck out there than can turn that sharp. And, when reversing, there is tremendous strain on the trailer tires and suspension when turning sharp; in fact anything more than about 45 degrees you are already skidding the tires.

I drove semi for many years including B trains. If you think managing a single 40' trailer is tricky, imagine managing 2 of them connected together behind you. Once, and only once, I got myself down a side road that had a dead end. That was in 1982 before GPS, and ever since I've made sure to be a lot more careful about where I go, and what I do when I get there. I can honestly say I have never been in a situation where I needed 90 degrees when towing a 5th wheel RV, and I will do all I can to make sure I never do in the future.

My advice and experience? Take your time, plan your route and approaches, and avoid the need for sharp turns.
As they say, YMMV

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Old 01-22-2021, 11:08 AM   #20
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Speaking of towing in general.... Someone posted on FB a short video of a semi driver backing in to a driveway at 90 degree angle - with a tandem (or whatever it is called) setup. 2 trailers and the truck. He backed most of the way in, pulled forward a bit (ONCE) and backed the rest of the way in.

I have trouble just backing one unit into a 90 degree turn CG site!!!!
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