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Post by cajuncamp on Jul 11, 2018 14:01:40 GMT -5
I have a F250 short bed. Coming from a toy hauler where I could make any turn because of the rounded nose cap. Since I found out the hard way with a dent on both side of cab, Can't make to sharp of turns. Could you change out the pin box for a Sidewinder style. From what I have read it states this drops rig back 20 inches from the hitch.
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Post by laknox on Jul 11, 2018 14:19:20 GMT -5
AFAIK, Rams have the shortest cab to pin distance, so that has to be taken into account. Personally, were I going the short-box Ram route, I'd have a slider of some sort.
Lyle
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Post by rikopus on Jul 21, 2018 8:47:20 GMT -5
We have a 2016 Durango 2500 318rlt, 2015 Ram 3500 SRW crew cab short box and a B&W Companion OEM hitch.
I have not experienced any contact between the trailer and the cab. Is it possible that I have not yet had to execute any severe angles when parking our trailer? Sure. But I believe that I've been through some tight spots parking in campgrounds and getting it up in my driveway, etc. without hitting cab and trailer nose.
However, I am not advocating for a non-slider hitch! Get what you feel will make you the most comfortable.
Opinion asked. Opinion given.
This is a great forum with great advice. Thank you all who post often.
Happy camping/glamping to all!
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Post by laknox on Jul 23, 2018 10:10:55 GMT -5
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dub
Newbie RV’er
Retired rambler
Posts: 49
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Post by dub on Jul 23, 2018 15:35:35 GMT -5
I had a salesman at Athens RV tell me I would not need a slider hitch towing a Durango 2500 with a short bed truck. He said the way the cap was designed, I could turn 90 degrees without the slider hitch. Anyone know if this is true? I damaged the cab of my BRAND NEW 2018 short bed Ram 3500 with my Durango 2500 because of this same mis information. Don't be like me.... |
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Post by Chuck on Jul 24, 2018 7:13:06 GMT -5
The way i look at it if you have the slider an need it you have it, if you don't have the slider an need it then you wished you would have bought it  As dub stated he damaged a brand new truck because of no slider in his short bed truck, trucks an trailers cost to much to take a chance ... Think of it this way, if you never use it then you can tell to the group here were all wet, but if you use it even one time you can come back saying thank you. that slider saved my bacon ...
Disclaimer from this old guy I own a long bed Ford F350 4x4 dual wheel crew cab truck with a 8ft box, but over the years have seen to
many owners with short bed trucks without sliders having problems with short turns with hard angles backing
into sites ...
Safe Travels
Chuck
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Post by rikopus on Jul 24, 2018 8:56:03 GMT -5
Dub, sorry to read that your truck/5er was damaged. As I stated, I haven't had any issues to date, but I will always keep in mind that it could also happen to me as well.
I had a less than stellar time backing into our camping spot yesterday. Working around a tree, several trucks parallel to the campground road and one idiot sitting in his camp chair laughing hysterically, watching me and my better half through the struggle. Why am I reporting this? Because I did not once think about the truck cab and 5er nose contacting as I moved about. That is a HUGE mistake on my part! I never considered buying a slider when we changed from towing a trailer (Hensley hitch) to our current set-up. I found out that the B&W Companion dropped right into the bed of my truck using the four mounting points. The hitch was highly rated so I went with it. The trailer dealership never suggested a slider. They did what I requested. So it's all on me.
Chuck, great advice as usual!
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Post by Chuck on Jul 24, 2018 12:14:19 GMT -5
Dub, sorry to read that your truck/5er was damaged. As I stated, I haven't had any issues to date, but I will always keep in mind that it could also happen to me as well. I had a less than stellar time backing into our camping spot yesterday. Working around a tree, several trucks parallel to the campground road and one idiot sitting in his camp chair laughing hysterically, watching me and my better half through the struggle. Why am I reporting this? Because I did not once think about the truck cab and 5er nose contacting as I moved about. That is a HUGE mistake on my part! I never considered buying a slider when we changed from towing a trailer (Hensley hitch) to our current set-up. I found out that the B&W Companion dropped right into the bed of my truck using the four mounting points. The hitch was highly rated so I went with it. The trailer dealership never suggested a slider. They did what I requested. So it's all on me. Chuck, great advice as usual! I was once a Boy Scout an they instilled in my memory always be prepared
So I look at my trailer an truck this way :
Did I need a 20k hitch no, I could have bought a 16k hitch an been fine yes ... Did I need slide toppers no, did I buy them, yes Did I need tire monitors, no did I buy them truck an trailer yes Did I need vent covers for my roof vents, no, did I buy them yes
Did I need a air compressor for the 5th no, did I buy one yes Did i need an extra 25ft of water hose, no, but I have had to use it at least once
Did I need extra 25ft of sewer hose, not really, have I used it yes, a multitude times Ugh Do I need extra oil while traveling, not really, do I carry such, yes along with water Do I need a surge protector, some people never use one, do I have one you bet
Do I need a water filter, some people never use them, do I have one, you bet Do I need a water regulator, some people never use them nor seen one, I have one you bet Do I carry a chest of tools, you Bet even with a new trailer
You get the idea here, just because other's do not get, want or have something dozen't mean that you shouldn't have such ...
As stated before, if you don't have it I will almost guarantee you will down the road have a need for such an now since you do not have it your going to pay double for it 
Safe travels
Chuck
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pandp
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 27
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Post by pandp on Jul 25, 2018 9:07:48 GMT -5
We have a Durango 2500 340FLT and pull it with a Silverado 3500 Duramax 6'6" bed truck. We have a slider and need to back into our driveway at a 90 degree turn so the slider is a must. We tried it in an empty parking lot first without sliding back and found that we surely needed it. Better to find out with someone on the outside of the truck watching a slow turn than when you are in a hurry and hear that God awful crunch.
Best of Luck and Happy Camping!
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Post by laknox on Jul 25, 2018 10:20:01 GMT -5
How hard would it be for an RV mfr to take a bunch of trucks, SB and LB, 2wd, 4wd, all brands, and run circles in a parking lot to see what their various turning radii are, then have one of their bright young engineers figure out if any of their models will hit the cab when turning? Oh, wait, this is the RV industry; WTF am I =thinking=?!  Lyle |
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Post by johnr on Jul 25, 2018 12:52:37 GMT -5
How hard would it be for an RV mfr to take a bunch of trucks, SB and LB, 2wd, 4wd, all brands, and run circles in a parking lot to see what their various turning radii are, then have one of their bright young engineers figure out if any of their models will hit the cab when turning? Oh, wait, this is the RV industry; WTF am I =thinking=?! Lyle I think that would be cost prohibitive. Can you imagine how much they'd have to jack up the price of a trailer just for the truck inventory? The option packages and hitches used would have to match exactly, and the equipment would have to be installed in the same exact way. I think there's a liability issue for them, or any RV manufacturer, to come out and say that short bed truck X will be safe with Y camper. I would image that the seller of the RV could be held liable if they tell a customer that they don't need a slider hitch and then the cab gets damaged. Of course, you'd have the burden of proof that the salesman actually said that when you asked. |
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Post by laknox on Jul 26, 2018 10:12:09 GMT -5
How hard would it be for an RV mfr to take a bunch of trucks, SB and LB, 2wd, 4wd, all brands, and run circles in a parking lot to see what their various turning radii are, then have one of their bright young engineers figure out if any of their models will hit the cab when turning? Oh, wait, this is the RV industry; WTF am I =thinking=?! Lyle I think that would be cost prohibitive. Can you imagine how much they'd have to jack up the price of a trailer just for the truck inventory? The option packages and hitches used would have to match exactly, and the equipment would have to be installed in the same exact way. I think there's a liability issue for them, or any RV manufacturer, to come out and say that short bed truck X will be safe with Y camper. I would image that the seller of the RV could be held liable if they tell a customer that they don't need a slider hitch and then the cab gets damaged. Of course, you'd have the burden of proof that the salesman actually said that when you asked. Whatchu talkin' about, Willis? We're talking IN, here. How many of their =employees= have, or drive trucks that they could drive around their own parking lot? How hard would it be to head to a local dealer and ask them to take some trucks and just drive them in a couple circles to measure an actual turn radius? After that, it's a bit of math to figure out which combinations won't hit, which =might= hit and which =will= hit. From there, they can then say, "this combination of FW and these specific trucks =will= require a slider or, for a different combo, "a slider is highly recommended" or even, "a slider is not necessary". Caveat would be for FORWARD travel only; ALL will hit in reverse, a slider only gives you a bit more room before you =do= hit. It's not friggin' rocket science, though to most of the execs it likely would seem like it. Lyle |
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Post by johnr on Jul 26, 2018 15:58:08 GMT -5
I think that would be cost prohibitive. Can you imagine how much they'd have to jack up the price of a trailer just for the truck inventory? The option packages and hitches used would have to match exactly, and the equipment would have to be installed in the same exact way. I think there's a liability issue for them, or any RV manufacturer, to come out and say that short bed truck X will be safe with Y camper. I would image that the seller of the RV could be held liable if they tell a customer that they don't need a slider hitch and then the cab gets damaged. Of course, you'd have the burden of proof that the salesman actually said that when you asked. Whatchu talkin' about, Willis? We're talking IN, here. How many of their =employees= have, or drive trucks that they could drive around their own parking lot? How hard would it be to head to a local dealer and ask them to take some trucks and just drive them in a couple circles to measure an actual turn radius? After that, it's a bit of math to figure out which combinations won't hit, which =might= hit and which =will= hit. From there, they can then say, "this combination of FW and these specific trucks =will= require a slider or, for a different combo, "a slider is highly recommended" or even, "a slider is not necessary". Caveat would be for FORWARD travel only; ALL will hit in reverse, a slider only gives you a bit more room before you =do= hit. It's not friggin' rocket science, though to most of the execs it likely would seem like it. Lyle Will their employees have every edition for every model year of all major truck manufacturers? Just for Ram you're probably looking at 12 or more trucks needed per year. I also don't see a local dealer allowing or wanting fifth wheel hitches to be installed in brand new trucks just so RV manufacturers can test them out. A slider hitch won't help you while driving forward, as I believe they are supposed to be "locked in" while driving forward. I believe sliding hitches only come into play while reversing. |
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Post by laknox on Jul 26, 2018 16:44:27 GMT -5
Whatchu talkin' about, Willis? We're talking IN, here. How many of their =employees= have, or drive trucks that they could drive around their own parking lot? How hard would it be to head to a local dealer and ask them to take some trucks and just drive them in a couple circles to measure an actual turn radius? After that, it's a bit of math to figure out which combinations won't hit, which =might= hit and which =will= hit. From there, they can then say, "this combination of FW and these specific trucks =will= require a slider or, for a different combo, "a slider is highly recommended" or even, "a slider is not necessary". Caveat would be for FORWARD travel only; ALL will hit in reverse, a slider only gives you a bit more room before you =do= hit. It's not friggin' rocket science, though to most of the execs it likely would seem like it. Lyle Will their employees have every edition for every model year of all major truck manufacturers? Just for Ram you're probably looking at 12 or more trucks needed per year. I also don't see a local dealer allowing or wanting fifth wheel hitches to be installed in brand new trucks just so RV manufacturers can test them out. A slider hitch won't help you while driving forward, as I believe they are supposed to be "locked in" while driving forward. I believe sliding hitches only come into play while reversing. Lessee, 2wd LB, 2WD SB, 4WD SB, 4WD LB; =maybe= a difference between SRW and dually, I don't know. Never said anything about installing hitches, did I? Just get actual numbers on turning radius (we =know= how brochure #'s lie), then do the math to figure out if a particular model FW will =require= a slider, or not. As I said, it's not rocket science and, once the basic formula is worked out, it because a simple PnP for each different combo. Yeah, yeah, yeah; it'll never happen because it's too d@mn practical, just as it's too practical for the factories to invite owners to drop by and get =real-world= weights, and see how people tend to load, not how =they= think we should load. We get enough of that b.s. from the likes of Microsoft and Uncle Sugar. Lyle |
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Post by johnr on Jul 27, 2018 6:51:24 GMT -5
Turning radius will be different depending on different truck options like 17, 18, 19, 20 inch wheels. Does the truck have a towing package installed? Truck raised or lowered. The driver can make a difference. The tires can make a difference. Hitch height and receiver can both be adjusted to change the dynamics of where the RV rides in comparison to the cab of the truck. The person that installs the hitch may get the measurements wrong and put the center 3 inches forward of the axle. There are way too many variables for any rational company to come out and accept the liability for a statement that X truck does not require a slider hitch with any RV. You are correct that you did not mention installing hitches. I assumed that you were talking about using the trucks for real world tests and not simply measurements. I misread that, I'm sorry. I guess I'm saying it's not a simple PnP. We may need to agree to disagree. |
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Post by Chuck on Jul 27, 2018 10:50:32 GMT -5
I agree with johnr, to may variables an each year the truck industry changes packages to boot ... I don't know why owners of 5th wheels don't all buy long beds an be done with it, thus avoiding the problems altogether, OH wait a minute there are variables even in long bed trucks 
As I tried to point out in the other post is if you have a short bed truck why not invest in a slider an avoid any issue's thus you are ahead of the game, if you use it, fine if not fine too, it's all about being prepared, not if you need it or not
Safe travels
Chuck
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Jeff
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 22
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Post by Jeff on Sept 1, 2018 1:47:55 GMT -5
Recently bought a Durango 2500 and have a 2017 Ram 2500 with 6'4" bed and a B&W Companion slider. My son and I went to a parking lot and have no clearance issues. It gets pretty close and if I were to back it up and incline in a turn may have some concern. So purchased the slider to be on the safe side and allow me to get it to respond a little faster if I had to back it in a tighter place or something. With the slide back the pin box still clears bed sides and tailgate.
My son has basically same truck and a Durango Gold 355RL and I believe his will make contact with the cab unless he uses the slider. Its 102 inches wide instead of 96 so that makes a difference as well.
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ted
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 57
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Post by ted on Sept 1, 2018 4:54:44 GMT -5
Parking lot may help, but the issue is, as was stated earlier, it's the uneven ground that causes the contact.
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Post by Chuck on Sept 2, 2018 8:58:13 GMT -5
Will their employees have every edition for every model year of all major truck manufacturers? Just for Ram you're probably looking at 12 or more trucks needed per year. I also don't see a local dealer allowing or wanting fifth wheel hitches to be installed in brand new trucks just so RV manufacturers can test them out. A slider hitch won't help you while driving forward, as I believe they are supposed to be "locked in" while driving forward. I believe sliding hitches only come into play while reversing. Lessee, 2wd LB, 2WD SB, 4WD SB, 4WD LB; =maybe= a difference between SRW and dually, I don't know. Never said anything about installing hitches, did I? Just get actual numbers on turning radius (we =know= how brochure #'s lie), then do the math to figure out if a particular model FW will =require= a slider, or not. As I said, it's not rocket science and, once the basic formula is worked out, it because a simple PnP for each different combo. Yeah, yeah, yeah; it'll never happen because it's too d@mn practical, just as it's too practical for the factories to invite owners to drop by and get =real-world= weights, and see how people tend to load, not how =they= think we should load. We get enough of that b.s. from the likes of Microsoft and Uncle Sugar. Lyle One thing you have to remember that about 50 percent of the Kz employees do not have trucks or cars, only horse an buggy's But the buggy's do turn pretty darn shape an some even have doubles
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Post by Chuck on Sept 2, 2018 9:01:27 GMT -5
Parking lot may help, but the issue is, as was stated earlier, it's the uneven ground that causes the contact. Yep, nose down. truck cab up may spell disaster backing up an incline for sure if there is not enough room between the two 
Safe Travels
Chuck
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