u856787 Report post Posted March 5, 2020 I'm new to RVing and recently purchased a 2018 RAM 2500 with a 6.5' bed and the factory prep for 5th wheel towing. We are looking at Forest River 5th wheels in the 32' range. My question concerns a stationary versus a sliding hitch. I've read newer 5th wheels are designed to pull with a short-bed truck without a slider (higher clearances) but I've also read horror stories of jack-knifed trailers with dented truck sides and/or broken windows. Is the extra expense of the sliding hitch really necessary? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted March 6, 2020 U856787, Welcome to the FMCA Forums! I do not recall ever seeing a short bed without a sliding hitch. Personally I’d go with the slider, the risk isn’t worth the added cost. First mishap you will wish you spent that money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
five Report post Posted March 6, 2020 What Joe said. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted March 6, 2020 Yep, What Joe said. No need to repeat. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wayne77590 Report post Posted March 6, 2020 Staying in a park a time back and the person next to us had a 5er with short bed and slider. He had a couple spare tires leaning against the back of the cab. Asked best way to get out of park. I told him to turn right out of the spot and go to the turn-around then back this way and out. It was to sharp of a turn to go left and out the park. He didn't listen. I watched him pick up glass from his back window for about 30 minutes. Always use the slider. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
txiceman Report post Posted March 6, 2020 I have seen a number of short bed trucks with broken windows or dented cabs and a slider hitch. The driver either forgot to slide it or was lazy and thought he could get by with out sliding it to the rear. Long bed trucks are made for a reason. Ken Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted March 7, 2020 Ditto to all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
campcop Report post Posted March 8, 2020 On 3/5/2020 at 2:56 PM, u856787 said: I'm new to RVing and recently purchased a 2018 RAM 2500 with a 6.5' bed and the factory prep for 5th wheel towing. We are looking at Forest River 5th wheels in the 32' range. My question concerns a stationary versus a sliding hitch. I've read newer 5th wheels are designed to pull with a short-bed truck without a slider (higher clearances) but I've also read horror stories of jack-knifed trailers with dented truck sides and/or broken windows. Is the extra expense of the sliding hitch really necessary? The answer to your question is.....Yes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ROBBDRELL Report post Posted March 23, 2020 absolutely Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted March 23, 2020 ROBBDRELL, Welcome to the Forum. You answered so emphatically it sounds like you speak from experience. Herman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted March 23, 2020 1 hour ago, ROBBDRELL said: absolutely Welcome to the forum. Don't be a stranger. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ldcross11475 Report post Posted June 25, 2020 I have a short bed F250 2016 and use the Anderson ultimate 5th wheel hitch. I pull a 2014 Forest River Silverback by Cedar Creek. No problem with hack knife. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted June 25, 2020 Ldcross11475, Welcome to the FMCA Forums! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted June 25, 2020 12 hours ago, Ldcross11475 said: I have a short bed F250 2016 and use the Anderson ultimate 5th wheel hitch. I pull a 2014 Forest River Silverback by Cedar Creek. No problem with hack knife. Welcome to the forum. Don't be a stranger. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kodiak007 Report post Posted June 28, 2020 I have a Ram 2011 with 6.5 bed we have the Anderson ultra no problems and have been very happy with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted June 28, 2020 Kodiak007. Welcome to the Forum! 😃 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted June 28, 2020 15 minutes ago, Kodiak007 said: I have a Ram 2011 with 6.5 bed we have the Anderson ultra no problems and have been very happy with it. Welcome to the forum. What are you towing? Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kodiak007 Report post Posted June 28, 2020 Grand design Reflection 150 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted June 28, 2020 (edited) Nice! 99% of RV owners don't realize that you can blow as much money on a 5'er and tow as you can on a DP coach and toad! I have a dear friend in NE Texas, his wife and one of the two daughters are into horses, they both have their own 5'er that holds 2 horses and 40 foot living quarters, just the trailers alone was $1.3 million, built by Newell trailer Div. in 2012 (they don't do trailers anymore)! 2 years ago, he bought 2 Volvo Tractors custom built, with auto tranny. Extreme end of the choices! Have not heard anything bad about yours & they seem to be well built.😃 Happy Trails and keep the rubber side down! Edited June 28, 2020 by manholt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted June 28, 2020 Kodiak007, nice RV. Carl those are some fancy toy haulers. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted June 28, 2020 Bill, back then you did not get fake leather furniture! You name it, you could have it, for a price. Yea, 4 leg toy! LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favrut1 Report post Posted July 25, 2023 On 3/5/2020 at 2:56 PM, u856787 said: I'm new to RVing and recently purchased a 2018 RAM 2500 with a 6.5' bed and the factory prep for 5th wheel towing. We are looking at Forest River 5th wheels in the 32' range. My question concerns a stationary versus a sliding hitch. I've read newer 5th wheels are designed to pull with a short-bed truck without a slider (higher clearances) but I've also read horror stories of jack-knifed trailers with dented truck sides and/or broken windows. Is the extra expense of the sliding hitch really necessary? In my opinion yes. If your getting a sliding hitch get the Pull-Rite one. I had the short bed with one of these hitches with 0 issues for 7 years. Worth the little bit of extra to avoid damage to the cab and dont need to worry when in tight areas such as fuel stations and u-turns etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jbiclove Report post Posted July 25, 2023 I have a F250 short bed with a B&W sliding hitch. I tow a 40’ Montana and so far only needed to use it once to get it into the driveway. I had to make a sharp turn while backing in so I slid the hitch back and it worked perfectly. We had a gravel pad put in so I have not needed to use it since, but having the option to allow for more turning radius is worth every penny in my opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadking Report post Posted July 27, 2023 A much argued subject. Most newer 5th wheels have a front cap designed for more turning clearance, however the extra cost of a slider is good insurance against truck damage. I found it funny looking at a YouTube video that a guy with a long bed felt he had clearance issues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ckmillard3 Report post Posted July 23 I use a sliding 5th wheel hitch. I am thinking about purchasing a RAM 3500 with a 6' 4" bed that has the side compartments outside on each side of the bed. To accommodate the side compartments, the bedliner covers the wheel wells. See attached photos. There is enough room to install the hitch but I was wondering if anyone had issues connecting to the hitch and turning? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
