Is a manual slider that much trouble?

Zpilgrim · 09-04-2022, 10:07 AM

So I’m looking at hitches for a 2015 Ford F-350 short bed. I see some convenience in an auto sliding hitch but wondering how much hassle it really saves? The extra money aside there’s additional weight involved and the convenience of not having to get out and manually activate the slider.
I had a long bed that I towed with before and can’t remember needing to ever make a 90 degree turn. Not having had a short bed before given the 39 inches I have between the cab and a king pin centerline and likely a 48” pin to edge of trailer does anyone know precisely what degree of turn I could make before it hits the cab? An math wizards out there?

fjr vfr · 09-04-2022, 08:56 PM

No. You're giving next to no information. What model trailer do you have? I assume when you say short bed you have a 6' plus bed and not one of those real short beds on half ton trucks.
My experience is with a short bed 6'4" Ram 2500 and a 2011 Laredo 265rl 5th wheel. I purchased a manual slider and have never used it in the slide position. My 5th wheel has rounded corners and I've backed somewhat beyond 90degs and still had clearance.
If you have a newer trailer with the corners rounded you probably won't even need a slider, but you might want to get a manual slider just in case. Don't go auto slider unless you're sure you will need it. Imho

Zpilgrim · 09-04-2022, 09:27 PM

Thanks, actually have not purchased a coach yet. I have a Ford F-350. It would seem the only time a slider is necessary is backing into a tight spot. Or a hard u turn. I understand about the rounded corners but it is helpful to hear that you have not had to use your slider yet. I have 39” from the center of the bed to the cab. It is a 6 1/2 foot bed. I’m leaning toward a manual slider. Size weight and cost are all factors. There is a certain peace of mind having a auto slider.

Notanlines · 09-05-2022, 08:09 AM

"If you have a newer trailer with the corners rounded you probably won't even need a slider"
I'm afraid this is a blanket statement that requires a little more info and thought. There are thousands of repairs made every year to rear windows and truck cab corners because the owner thought the 'rounded corners' were the answer.
You will not know how sharp you can turn until you actually buy an RV and give it a try. Anyone who says they can tell you with the info you provided is simply wrong. There are many more variables than you mentioned.

Cummins12V98 · 09-11-2022, 09:40 AM

Get a B&W manual slider and be happy!

Zpilgrim · 09-12-2022, 09:06 PM

So this may sound rudimentary to many of you but for me just learning. Do they make an adapter that connects to a Ford puck setup that would allow a standard above bed hitch to be installed?

Cummins12V98 · 09-13-2022, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zpilgrim

So this may sound rudimentary to many of you but for me just learning. Do they make an adapter that connects to a Ford puck setup that would allow a standard above bed hitch to be installed?

YES but you are better off selling what you have and buying a proper puck hitch.