Shenango
Cranberry Township
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Joined: 11/18/2003
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I have been bumper hitch towing for 15 years and have been agonizing (in a good way) over weather to upgrade to a Class A or go the 5th wheel route. Finally decided on the 5th wheel, primarily since I have a lot of years of work left and also need a truck for work and to pull a boat even if I went with the Class A. Didn’t want the extra engine to maintain and can still use my truck when not camping wheras the motor home would just sit. Decided to go with a Montana Big Sky 3400 RL (GVW: 15,640), unloaded hitch weight 2,140 lbs, MOR/RYDE pin box, and will be upgrading my truck to a Chevy 3500 Crew, 4x4, Duramax, standard box (6.5 ft), SRW. Figure a 16K hitch should be sufficient. I prefer to have a slider hitch and also to have the bed clear when not towing (hidden bed rails). This appears to really limit my options to:
1) Reese 18K manual slider with below bed customs rails. Etrailer price-$2,499. PPL Motorhomes - $2,144.
2) Pull Rite SuperGlide 16K Auto slide with super rail kit – about $2,000.
Seems to me the super glide would be the obvious choice. It is fully automatic and costs a little less. Not sure about ease of removal of either. I have been told (by a dealer) that the movement of the super glide takes some getting used to versus a fixed manual slider. With the longer standard box on the Chevy, and the “Max Turn Technology” of the Montana, do I really need the slider? Going to a non-slider will save about $1,000 and really opens up the options. Also, the 2012 Trailer Life mentions a GM factory installed hitch being available on an ordered truck. I can’t find any information on this.
Any comments or input on any or all of the above would be appreciated.
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469whj469
Splendora, Texas
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Joined: 07/15/2011
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I don't know about GM and 5er hitch that they install but Ford does have one, a Reese very good one with an under bed rail system. I am not aware if it comes with a slider?
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AZ T&T
Mesa, AZ
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Joined: 03/25/2011
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I have the same truck bed and have been fine without a slider. I went with a B&W companion hitch. It is easy to install and remove. When it's out there are no rails in the truck, but then again it's not a slider.
Good luck and enjoy that new rig!!
AZ T&T
2012 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 29.5RKS
2011 Chevy 2500 HD 4x4 Duramax
B&W Companion Hitch - Firestone Ride-Rite Air Bags
Honda EU2000i Generator
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Shenango
Cranberry Township
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Joined: 11/18/2003
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Not sure if the GM installed hitch is a slider. The 2012 trailer life towing guide mentions it but gives no details. Nothing on the web about it. Really like the B&W but like you said, not a slider.???
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rmalik1
Pittsburgh,Pa.
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Joined: 05/08/2006
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AZ T&T wrote:I have the same truck bed and have been fine without a slider. I went with a B&W companion hitch. It is easy to install and remove. When it's out there are no rails in the truck, but then again it's not a slider.
Good luck and enjoy that new rig!!
X2
2012 Cedar Creek 36RE w/ Level Up
B&W Turnover w/ 18k Companion Hitch
08 Ford 350 Lariat DW PSD Crew Cab Long Bed 4:30
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Shenango
Cranberry Township
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Joined: 11/18/2003
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Thanks. Both are on order now. Only decision left is the the hitch selection.
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azbohunter
arizona
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Joined: 03/03/2009
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Pull Rite SuperGlide 16K Auto slide with super rail kit – about $2,000.
We have had this hitch for three years and it has been great, trouble free and little to no maintenance. I use Slip Plate on it which is a graphite dry lubricant, and it operates worry free (or it has for us).
I do not know if you need the slider with the new cap design but if you go that way this is a great hitch. Not sure I have ever heard anything negative except for cost and weight! MHO..
2006 Dodge Quad Cab Cummins 5.9 Automatic 4x4
2002 28RKD Lakota fifth wheel
Pullrite Hitch
2006 Polaris Ranger
16'Lund w/50HP Merc tiller
A great wife who loves to travel and fish
I love to archery hunt/she joins me and cooks!
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Shenango
Cranberry Township
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Joined: 11/18/2003
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Good to hear that one I am considering is endorsed, thanks. Regarding the weight, how hard and how long is the removal process? With the super rail kit, what is left on the bed (if anything) when removed? Anyone else think a slider is even necessary with the longer Chevy standard box and Montana "Max Turn" cap design?
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azbohunter
arizona
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Joined: 03/03/2009
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The hitch is heavy, maybe 150# total weight. When I take mine out I do it in pieces(3 pieces, the head, the body and the rails) and then it isn't bad. When you take the rails out there is nothing left in the bed, 4 holes that are drilled into the floor of the bed that large pins drop into, that's it. Time is maybe 10 minutes, less if you have help.
My box is also 6'6" but I don't have the new style cap. I will say this, it takes all the worry out of turning.
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