chuggs
Florida
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Joined: 06/16/2010
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If you NEVER make a stupid navigation mistake...then you're probably alright with a regular hitch.
My SuperGlide does stuff that I could NEVER do without it. I try my best NOT to get into these predicaments...but it's there to back me up if I do.
1) Turn down a long 2-lane road by mistake, no turnoffs, ditches on either side...narrow shoulders. SuperGlide does a 180 on the 2-lane road like magic!
2) Get into a gas station...not much room to make a turn between the pumps and the cars parked along the storefront. Superglide gets that baby to pivot on a dime.
3) Turned off at a park & ride down on US1 in the Florida Keys to have lunch real quick. Ooppsss... No exit at the other end...had to do another 180 in a tight spot. EFFORTLESS!!!
If you can discipline yourself to never get into a spot which would require you to turn so sharp as to get the camper and tow vehicle more than 45 degrees out of alignment...then good on you! I try!! But eventually, I mess up and get in a tight spot. Now it's not really good to crank these things around at 90 degrees...but it's effortless if you find the need. And after doing one set of turns at the dealership to check my clearances...I've never had to worry about it ever since. SuperGlide! It's like having built in dummy insurance --- for when I do those dummy things. It's got my back...
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Clarryhill
Midcoast Maine
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Joined: 08/24/2009
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Have had mine 3 years now, and 95% of the time, it's not been needed. However there have been 3 or 4 times when I was glad I had it.
2005 GMC 2500HD D/A
2008 COLORADO 31 RL-BS
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Dayle1
Spicewood, Tx
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Joined: 04/12/2001
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14 yrs with two different GM short bed trucks, relatively flat front caps on the fivers (three different units), AND used two different NON-sliding hitches. Never had a problem.
Added a manual slider in 2003 just in case I ever wanted a fiver with a straight drop or shorter extended pin box. I have "tried" the slider a couple times in the past 8 yrs, can't say I ever needed to use it. Now, with a new notched cap fiver, can't see why I would need it in the next 8 yrs either.
In almost all cases, a little more jockying back and forth will accomplish the same thing that a slider will accomplish and in the case of a manual slider, extra time spent will actually be less than getting out and moving and resetting the slider. If you want to tow without worry, get the auto slider. If you want some cheap insurance for the "unknown", get the manual slider. If you are willing to pay attention to that big object completely filling up the rear window, get neither.
Larry Day
Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders since '01
'03 GMC 2500HD D/A EC SB, Jordan controller, custom RKI bed/hitch, TF 45gal tank, grey Speedliner
'11 CrossRoads Cruiser CF32MK loaded
Rig Photos
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Allworth
Orlando, FL
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Joined: 10/10/2006
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My previous truck (six years) was a short (6.5') bed and I used my slider about 10% of the time when backing, less for tight forward turns but the one time I touched the corner of the cab was going forward. (No damage; just a white mark.)
I had to use the slider every time I put the trailer into the back yard between trips and at some CGs. Also, as noter, the trailer responds more quickly when the pivot point is moved behind the rear axle.
Formerly posting as "littleblackdog"
Martha, Allen, & Blackjack
2006 Chevy 3500 D/A LB SRW, RVND 7710
2008 Titanium 30E35SA; EZ-Lube axles; wet bolts; spring hanger gussetts; BFG Commercial TAs
"Real Trucks Don't Have Sparkplugs"
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fleetprowl
Central Louisiana
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Joined: 08/23/2006
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I have a 6.5' bed and use a non slider hitch. When I installed the hitch, I did put it about 1" - 1.5" behind the axle and I have never had a problem.
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mapguy
Puget Sound
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Joined: 09/02/2007
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HamsHog wrote:Hey Pete,
I use mine everytime I turn!! My coach is 100"'s wide also. Wouldn't be without my SuperGlide!!!!
Regards, Hamshog
102" wide for my unit and an automatic slider (pullrite superglide) for me too. It just sits back there working away as needed without driver intervention or extra thought.
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mapguy
Puget Sound
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Joined: 09/02/2007
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fleetprowl wrote:I have a 6.5' bed and use a non slider hitch. When I installed the hitch, I did put it about 1" - 1.5" behind the axle and I have never had a problem.
This might be ok for a really light PIN but for a heavy PIN forget about it....
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nosticks
Tampa, Fl
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Joined: 07/21/2007
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I have a Reese manual slider, but have never needed it, thus far. Just good to know I have an option if need be and the cost was not much more that the std. hitch.
NoSticks
2010 Ford F-250 Super Duty 4x4
2010 Montana Mountaineer 324RLQ
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Jack Spratt
Maine
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Joined: 08/05/2007
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With our previous fiver used it a 2-3 times/yr.
Our current rig has a curved front so the need for the slider will be less.
Moving the towing point that much further back does noticeably increase your turning ability.
If there is ever a doubt I can find the time to use the slider.
'11 GMC 2500 D/A 4x4
3455SA Montana
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TugCE
Leesburg, Florida
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Joined: 06/10/2008
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I have a manual slider in my 6 1/2 foot bed and I have only slid it once and that was with my buddy's fifth wheel. The main reason that I do not slide it is there is a junction box on the back of my pin box that is too close to my tailgate when the hitch is slid back. I am planning on getting a Vee Gate and then I will be able to slide the hitch and not have to worry about anything.
I can turn past 90 deg when on flat ground but any type of uneven ground is another thing all together.
I am a Retired U.S. Merchant Marine Chief Engineer
05 Chevy 2500 4x4 D/A with Helper Springs and Air Ride Air Bags
06 R-Vision RW3360 Fifth Wheel Toy Hauler
97 FLTCI converted into a Roadsmith Trike by The Trike Shop of Daytona
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