DRV with a short bed DRW - what hitches are you using?

DHart · 12-29-2019, 04:49 AM

I'm trying to figure out what hitches will work for pulling a 21k DRV with a short bed dually truck.

What are you folks using with your short bed trucks?

Master Logger · 12-29-2019, 06:24 AM

I have the same truck as you but a 2018 and did a lot of research before I picked a pullrite superglide 2300 , I don't remember the mount #'s (but I have them in my shop) and i installed the hitch . I have a 39DBRS3 which is 21K also . I have pulled 600 miles doing shake down trips and have had no problems , not saying that it can't be put in a situation that there will be contact , you just have to be alert when making turns on uneven ground . at the pin box you will have to drop the hitch down 1 hole from the top and 6 bolts can still be used and bolt the PR hitch in the rear holes, that gives clearance for the bed rails in a hard turn .
Hope you getting 2 or 3 inch riser on the suspension other wise you will be nose high even with the truck set at ALT height .

Master Logger · 12-29-2019, 09:09 AM

With a short bed truck pulling a DRV you have to have a slider hitch other wise you say goodbye to the back window ! There are alot of manual sliders but who wants to have to stop to move the hitch . A couple auto sliders are available - The Pullrite 2300 is a auto sliding hitch rated at 24K and the Demco rated at 21K

Cummins12V98 · 12-29-2019, 01:42 PM

Stick to the B&W you mentioned on the Thor Forum. The pullrite is a quality hitch BUT you can't hitch or unhitch at an angle. EVERY auto slide hitch has an issue.

Cummins12V98 · 12-29-2019, 01:44 PM

Unfortunately by going shorted you are now having to COMPROMISE!!!

Hope the big back seat is worth it!

DHart · 12-29-2019, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master Logger

I have the same truck as you but a 2018 and did a lot of research before I picked a pullrite superglide 2300 , I don't remember the mount #'s (but I have them in my shop) and i installed the hitch . I have a 39DBRS3 which is 21K also . I have pulled 600 miles doing shake down trips and have had no problems , not saying that it can't be put in a situation that there will be contact , you just have to be alert when making turns on uneven ground . at the pin box you will have to drop the hitch down 1 hole from the top and 6 bolts can still be used and bolt the PR hitch in the rear holes, that gives clearance for the bed rails in a hard turn .
Hope you getting 2 or 3 inch riser on the suspension other wise you will be nose high even with the truck set at ALT height .

Thank you for such an informative and helpful post!

We don't have a raised suspension. So, how high and how bad is the nose high? And what's involved in raising the suspension?

As for the B&W Companion slider, it maxes out at 20k... not enough capacity.

It seems like almost everyone with a short bed and DRV uses the PullRite and loves it.

porkchop · 12-29-2019, 06:13 PM

I used a Pullrite slider and just loved it. Only 18k though so when we upgraded I went with a long box and a Pullrite non slider and really liked it also. Only 21k though. But then we upgraded the trailer and ended up with a Trailer Saver because we needed 25k. The trailer Saver is rated for 28k so should be OK for a while. Both of the above mentioned hitches are sitting on the floor of my shop in Nebraska and I'm willing to make a good deal for someone. Have enough other paper weights so the place won't blow away.

Good luck with your choice.

Bill

Master Logger · 12-29-2019, 09:32 PM

I agree that the B&W hitch is a good one but only for a long bed truck .
And that there are draw backs to a slider hitch but we must use them . that being said ,, how many times do you unhitch that you are not almost straight with the hitch or 10 deg to one side , the Pullrite will do that as good as a fixed mount and if you have to hitch at a sharper angle it is possible if done with care.
The risers are spacers put between the DRV frame and the suspension to help offset the high beds of the newer trucks . I have a 2 inch risers and I'm still 1.5 inches high in the front , plus a 8000 watt diesel gen putting more weight up front .

Notanlines · 12-30-2019, 07:22 AM

We are in our 6th year with our Demco 21k and have no problems. Even when we swapped to our long bed we still kept the same hitch. We just don't use the auto-slider function.

Cummins12V98 · 12-30-2019, 10:09 AM

Consider the B&W 3600 and set the head back a bit, won't hurt a thing.

porthole · 12-30-2019, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

Stick to the B&W you mentioned on the Thor Forum. The pullrite is a quality hitch BUT you can't hitch or unhitch at an angle. EVERY auto slide hitch has an issue.

That is not exactly true. Just takes a different technique. The saddle doesn't start to slide until you are at 13 degrees. It is possible to hitch and unhitch on an angle that is not straight. Did it many times with my previous truck. You can even unhitch close to 90 degrees if you have the lift to get over the fenders.

Srosa · 12-30-2019, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHart

Thank you for such an informative and helpful post!

We don't have a raised suspension. So, how high and how bad is the nose high? And what's involved in raising the suspension?

As for the B&W Companion slider, it maxes out at 20k... not enough capacity.

It seems like almost everyone with a short bed and DRV uses the PullRite and loves it.

You may already have a lifted trailer. Robert Crist RV supposedly orders their DRV’s lifted from the factory. Mine wasn’t but the salesman said it’s an option they normally select.
Here are a couple side view pics from my trailer after I had it lifted:

DHart · 12-31-2019, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Srosa

You may already have a lifted trailer. Robert Crist RV supposedly orders their DRV’s lifted from the factory. Mine wasn’t but the salesman said it’s an option they normally select.
Here are a couple side view pics from my trailer after I had it lifted:

Oh. Thanks for that info. I'll check to see.

Steve-Technician told me that he thinks my setup will work well with the Pullrite and with height adjustments on the Morryde pinbox, should be fine.

Srosa · 12-31-2019, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHart

Oh. Thanks for that info. I'll check to see.

Steve-Technician told me that he thinks my setup will work well with the Pullrite and with height adjustments on the Morryde pinbox, should be fine.

Great! You won’t need six giant blocks for your jacks that way.

DHart · 01-01-2020, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Srosa

Great! You won’t need six giant blocks for your jacks that way.

Is it generally a good idea to use blocks under the jacks, so that the extension of the jacks can be kept fairly short?

Srosa · 01-01-2020, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHart

Is it generally a good idea to use blocks under the jacks, so that the extension of the jacks can be kept fairly short?

Sure, I’ve always used blocks to add some stability. Nowadays, I need them just to unhook but it’s not a big deal.

DHart · 01-01-2020, 06:59 PM

Is there any issue with lifting the coach completely off of the tires for somewhat short periods of time (a few days, perhaps)? Can the jacks sustain that much weight for a few days, without slippage?

Master Logger · 01-02-2020, 09:55 AM

No problem in picking tires off the ground and keeping it up for how ever long you want , but with any hydraulic cylinder with that much weight on it some fluid may leak past and things will creep down .. I've had my tires up for weeks with no noticeable drop .

Cummins12V98 · 01-02-2020, 12:23 PM

Blocks will create a more stable RV. Tires off the ground is NOT an issue for as long as you like.