Slider Hitch

OK Guys, Here we go with the new forum. I am with everybody, I check the old site on a daily basis, but need to move forward with the new one, as I think it will benefit us all. We are new to the 5th wheel as we traded our tt last month. So far I love my WC, but then again we haven't taken it anywhere yet. This is where I need advice from the forum today.....we went to move the cat and found that we couldn't "lock in" the Reese hitch in the slide position. Then after that, I have had people come to me and tell me that it is harder to park a 5er than a tt. What's up with that? We usually only travel in our state, but some of the sites we go to are pretty tight. I am looking for advice from the history of the cat owners.

lr16661 welcome to the forum,

Please update you signature with you camper model and TV.

I have the Reese Slider also, all I do is flip the bar over to unlock, then lock the trailer brakes and putt forward. Once the hitch slides back, then I get out and swing the lever over to the left, LOCKED MANUVERING. Doesnt yours lock?

Also as far as backing up goes, I've never had a TT so I cant compare. But, sitting in the truck, put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. Start to back up, if you want the back of the camper to go to the right, with hand at the bottom of the wheel, turn the wheel to the right. If you want the back of the camper to go to the left, turn to the left.

You dont have to turn much to het it going that way, just take your time and go slow and have a spotter. QWe use our cell phones to communicate.

Sorry about the signature, was on the old site. Like I said, we are very new to the 5er and just moved it the other day.(first time since we brougt it home) We tried to lock it in, but was unable to do so. We took off our tail gate becuase we were unsure if in the hitch in the slide position would clear. I also think that the more practice we get at parking the cat, the better we will get, was just uneasy about all the negative feedback that I have gotten lately. I think the game plan is to unhook the cat, and look at the hitch to see whats up with it. ]The other site was great for info, and that is why I bought my cat. Thank you for getting things going with this site, and for keeping the old one for a spare tire. lol 2004GMC 2500HD, 2004 28BH WILDCAT AKA the Cat,16 REESE SLIDER

We had a TT before and I think the 5er is a little easier to maneuver, you can turn a little harder.

By moving the hitch point to a point just above the axle, I've found that it takes slightly earlier manuevering in the TV than with the bumper or traditional receivier hitch found on a TT. But that's the only difference that I've found. It takes some getting used to.

I have had a TT for years and could park it on a dime with out any trouble. I have only had the Cat for three months and only out a couple of times, mostly back to the dealer for warranty work. Anyhow the Cat is more difficult to park than my 29'ft TT. I used to park aircraft in the service and thought I could park anything. I found out the Cat is tough. I agree, I need to get some experience, but I parked the TT right off the bat without any trouble. The difference is the location of the kingpin, being over the rear axle. This doesn't give you a quick response when correcting. Also the rear wheels of the Cat are closer to the tow vehicle. Anyhow we will master this given time.. Happy camping.

I started with a fiver, went to a TT, and now back to a fiver. IMO it's not harder to back up a fiver...just different. Backing up is just a matter of practice. Been pulling stuff for 35 years now and I can put my fiver anywhere I want. It took a number of years to get that way though.

AVid

LR,

Having watched and helped about 300 campers park their rigs this summer, the difference that I see is that you have to start to manuever sooner with a 5'er. The TT's seem to be able to turn on a dime (as one of the posters said above).

When I traded up from an 18.5' Sunline 5'er to a 30' Trail Harbor 5'er, I took the new 5'er to an empty commuter parking lot on a Sunday afternoon, set out some cones and began practicing backin into a slot. It took awhile to get used to the new rig, but I soon found that sweet spot where the rig would glide right in. BTW, I also found that by using the slider and moving the hitch point back about a foot made backing in easier.

Best of luck to ya'

Being a camper that came from a 29' TT to the 29BHBP 5er, there is a difference. My issue is my TV. It is a 4 door long bed. Once the 5er starts turning, my TV cannot turn hard enough to keep up. There is a narrow window when the TV can turn w/ the 5er, but in my application this window is very narrow. Let it go too far, my TV cannot get "underneath" it, and I have to pull forward.

Just remember, practice makes perfect. I still prefer the 5er, I can maneuver it a lot more w/o the fear of jack knifing.

My TV is a crewcab shortbox, it was easier to back in my 29' TT than my 5'er. If someone had a shorter wheelbase on the TV it would be easier to back a 5'er. As for a slider, I haven't used it for backing yet, with the new cap it'll go almost 90. I do use the slider when when I need to get into the front of the garage. My front door can be open fully when it's slid back.

A problem that I am going to have to deal with is the depth of the bed. The Tundra has a full two foot depth. Although the cab and front cap of the trialer will probably never meet, I am worried that the pin extension will collide with the side wall of the truck in a tight turn. I guess my question is, how many times does one encounter such tight turns?

Frank L wrote:A problem that I am going to have to deal with is the depth of the bed. The Tundra has a full two foot depth. Although the cab and front cap of the trialer will probably never meet, I am worried that the pin extension will collide with the side wall of the truck in a tight turn. I guess my question is, how many times does one encounter such tight turns?

If it is set up correctly, and you have enough clearance from the bed rails to the underside of the fiver, it won't be an issue.


Steve

I have towed 'em and backed 'em both for years, and my personal experience is that I had rather tow a 5ver, but had rather back a TT. That being said, I do more towing than backing, so I think I will stick with the 5ver. (Along with the fact that DW said so)

ezrider6298 wrote:(Along with the fact that DW said so)

Smart man...very smart man!