Sliding Hitch

[GA1817]

I was scared to death when I got my DRW and was sure I would tear her hips off within a few weeks. Three years and 50 K miles later and they are still they're! Another lesson learned was that all DRW are not created equal so pay attention to rear axle and transmission options and the different tow capacities. Some are not much better that what you are buying even with the two additional wheels.

[ted 95]

I'm really not taking the comments in a negative way.
Also i do understand a DRW will give a more stable ride with a 5100 pin instead of a 4250 pin rating. But I see 1500 units pulling massive 5th wheels all over the 95 they must be loaed for 2 . After speaking to Redwood we are going to go to a 38RL as the pin on a stock unit is 100 lbs lighter due to the way the interior items are shifted and the axle placement. With the 8000 lb axles and the disc brakes the overall GVWR will raise to 17300 aprox. I have been assured the pin will be under the 3000 lb max range with the unit loaded with all my options and the factory is trying to find a recent build with all the options. As they do weigh all units including the pin weights at the time of building them.


Also as per my original post does anyone have preference or comments on "automatic slider 5th wheel hitches"

[piper guy]

If you are definitely going to stay with a SRW ~ in my opinion the PullRite 20k SuperSlide is the hitch to go for. I believe B&W also makes a slider in the 20k range but not sure. Either of these would be good choices, either will be expensive but worth it.


I had the PullRite ~ make very sure whoever installs it sets it up and adjusts the clearances correctly. Very large difference in towing if set up correctly. Also, again if staying with SRW, put on Helwig Swaybars front and back and a set of Airbags, either Airlift or Firestone. It still won't have the stability of a Dually but will be much improved.


I'd also be very curious to see the weight results after you get the coach and have the rig weighed. I'm finding it very hard to believe the pin weights Redwood is telling you but won't say anything till I see the CAT sheet. The biggest concern I would have is the rear tires on the truck. Most all the SRW tires are rated for about 3750 lbs max and the rear axle is rated 7000 lbs. I know when I weighed mine, before adding W/D and with only about 20 gals fresh water, I was at 8660 lbs on the truck rear tires.


That was when Woodhouse got a call and my SRW became a Dually. Only thing I regret now is not doing a F450 rather than the 350..............

[Ford truck guy]

My auto slider is a Pullrite Superglide... Its the best insurance money can buy in my eyes . . .

[xtasee]

+1 on the Superglide. You can get the custom brackets that are under the bed so when you (and a friend) remove it, you can use the truck. The model you want is the 4400

[piper guy]

If you see any of the pictures of the Redwood Rallies, there's a reason it looks like a Dually Convention ..................

[ChristianM]

Originally Posted by piper guy

If you see any of the pictures of the Redwood Rallies, there's a reason it looks like a Dually Convention ..................

That's the truth! I've got pictures to prove it!

[atom ant]

This is one of my favorites:

[RCAircraft]

My previous truck, 2012 Ford 350 Lariat SRW short bed towed my fully loaded 36 RL. I had the Reese Elite 18 K slider and removable hitch . It is a very well made hitch and the slider was used for tight spots. I use a hitch receiver mounted hoist for removing the hitch.

After the addition of the dishwasher, washer, dryer, 6.5 KW Onan Gold generator and Wingard SWM satellite dish I had our rig and truck weighed at last fall's Redwood Rally. My GCWR was over by 1,100 pounds. I replaced my Ford with a 2016 Silverado High Country crew cab 3500 HD diesel (3.71 option) DRW long bed and had the Reese Elite 25K removable hitch ( non sliding) installed with a retractable cover. I now am well below the GCWR.

The Ford was okay for us at the time as we have the RW in covered storage 70% of the year. As we begin to get out more often, and with the GCWR issue we decided it was time to get that issue resolved. The new truck handles the RW like a dream. I will get the RW and new truck weighed again at the 2016 RW rally to check how much reserve weigh we can take on.

[travelin' texans]

I don't think B&W offers an automatic slider? My son has the slider on his Dodge Mega cab & it's a massive hunk of metal, but quality built. He said with the way the newer 5ers are notched on the front that he very rarely has to use the slider, I don't know as I've only towed with a long bed dually.

[atom ant]

Can't answer for that GM, nor do I know what pin box you ordered with your Redwood, but when we bought our Redwood with the trailair tri-glide and hooked it up to my F350 SB, I made a couple of tests before leaving Texas for Colorado. It was clear the slider was no longer needed. I jerked that 10 year old Reese 18K slider hitch right there at the Dealer and installed a 20K standard Reese on the same rails. I never needed the slider after that. Perhaps the standard rotoflex pin box is shorter, so I don't want to say everyones results are the same.

I was a happy guy to dump that slider. Note: the Reese slider sets closer to the cab in tow mode than the standard fixed hitch does - by almost 2". I was shocked with I pulled those slider arms off and installed the fixed Reese in the same hitch rails. I didn't need the extra 2", but it even made it more firm that I did not need a slider anymore.

I personally wouldn't waste my time with a slider until you figure out if you need one. Besides - you'll take a loss on it when you sell it after you get a dually

[RWJSIM2003]

I am not sure how they can say the pin weight is below 3K. When new ours was at 3225 lbs empty. After adding the WD and contents our pin weight is 4200 and that is with empty tanks.


Like AA I had the slider on our other truck F350 SRW and I am sure that with the RW the slider it was not needed. I only pulled it from storage to the house one time with the SRW F350 and from then on I used the F450 and sold the other truck.

[travelin' texans]

I agree, if you have the tri glide hitch on the RW I'd save the $$$ on the slider, buy the 20-25k B&W & invest the difference in air bags for the truck.

[xtasee]

Originally Posted by RWJSIM2003

I am not sure how they can say the pin weight is below 3K. When new ours was at 3225 lbs empty. After adding the WD and contents our pin weight is 4200 and that is with empty tanks.

Wow! Check out the specs on the website. Empty hitch weight does not go over 3K on any model. Heaviest is the 38BR with 2,665 next is the 36FB at 2,625 and a surprise for me is that the 39MB is at 2,274 only 9 lbs. more than a 31SL.

How can they quote those weights if they are so much heavier? I get the option add part but still....

Larry

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by xtasee

Wow! Check out the specs on the website. Empty hitch weight does not go over 3K on any model. Heaviest is the 38BR with 2,665 next is the 36FB at 2,625 and a surprise for me is that the 39MB is at 2,274 only 9 lbs. more than a 31SL.

How can they quote those weights if they are so much heavier? I get the option add part but still....

Larry

When I brought mine home I'm sure it was close to the spec ~2700 I believe. As soon as I got home I added a 300 lb generator and 250 lbs of washer and dryer that was forward of the axles. By the time we filled the basement with gear and the front closet - it was quickly at 3400. Add water and food, 4300. The spec pin weights are very deceiving and almost unrealistic. (unless you plan to haul around a base unit with no clothes, gear, food or water).

[Elliott & Vicky]

With our supplies, a generator and a full tank of water, I'm almost 4200 lbs on the pin. My dually handles it fine. Would not want to tow with single tires.

[rob_fla]

Originally Posted by atom ant

This is one of my favorites:

I like that picture too AA, that is our Redwood / GMC in the center of that group !!!

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by rob_fla

I like that picture too AA, that is our Redwood / GMC in the center of that group !!!

It looks like a car and driver test getting ready to start - all three trucks on an equal playing field with the same Redwood behind them (i don't think they are the same, but it gives that illusion with everything being the same color )

[ted 95]

If I read the last few posts, am i correct that if I order the trailair tri-glide which I did. I DOT NOT need a slider due to the shape of the front nose. My box is 6'6" It will pass even if I ever need to jack knife the unit to part?? Or will have to watch when tight turning or parking??

[markw]

I don't see how it would be possible to stay under 3000#s on the pin.

Mark