Cruiser 5th

[Tuscany]

anyone out there have a cruiser 5 th with a short bed truck? 5 1/2 ftwhich slide hitch are you using???

[cowboy_71]

Use a reese 16k slider hitch... its not always necessary,but nice when you do need it in tight places...

[John B]

I have had a RBW FOR 9 years now it's is a x 16 with a slider and does well but only needed It about 4 times in that time but do get one. Ii can't see the money for The big automatics but that's my opinion for what it is worth ! Jb

[joescuba]

reese, proseries, 15k slider,never have yet needed touse slide,about 3k milesof towing
dodge 2500 6 1/2 ft bed quad cab cdt

[BobbyO]

I also use a Reese 16K slider. I don't use it often but it is a good piece of mind being available.

[Papa-T]

Reese 15KKwik Slide Hitch.Bought it when I owned a Jayco in 2006.

[cruzr4-2]

I don't think a 5er and a truck with a 5 1/2 ft bed are going to like each other even with a sliding hitch. Trucks with 6 1/2 ft beds and slider are common however whichis what we have and have hardly ever used the slider once we were familiar with rig. Someday the slider may save us a head ache.
Dennis

[Duey]

I have a GMC Sierra 1500, Extended Cab with a Short box. Im using a automatic 5th wheel hitch from PullRight. With the short boxes, your 5er will need a capture plate. This is needed for the hitch to function correctly. The hitch does work really good.

http://www.pullrite.com/isr_2700.htm

[greyeagle]

We have a Reese slider and used it once. I witnessed a very nasty situation with a guy camped right next to us just before we took delivery of our 5ver.
He crushed his pasenger side corner post, knocked out the back window and basicalliy damaged the cab beyond repair.

I wasadvised by the sales manager when we ordered the truck, to get a slider hitch if considering towing a 5ver.

Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

[Captain Mike]

I did not realize they offered a 5 1/2ft bed. Made me go measure mine and it is 6' 2" usable space. I guess 6 1/2ft is the O.D. or they differ between manufactures.
For me, unless it is a roomy campground or pull-through sites I use the slide. We have a Reese 16k. It can hit the cab with the slide back in the maneuver position.
I think campgrounds strategically place large trees directly across from back-in sites... LOL

[BipeFlier]

I love my 8' bed!! If you're gonna have a truck, get a truck.

[Captain Mike]

"

I love my 8' bed!! If you're gonna have a truck, get a truck.</span>"

I hear you and would go 8' but it will not fit in the garage. A garage keeps a truck nice...

[w&cferb]

We have always pulled with short bed Chevys. Only lost one back window and that was before the Cruiser. Pulling with a BTW.

[cwit]

With a 5 1/2 foot bed you have to have a autoslide hitch a manual slide will not work. The back window and cab will thank you. 6 1/2 foot you can use a manual slider.

[Duey]

The Pullright I got for my short box is fully automatic and works great.

[Dayle1]

Agree with those that have suggested an auto slider with that 5-1/2 ft bed. But another option would be the Sidewinder pin box, now called Reese Revolution. It moves the pivot point back 22 inches. Maybe neither of these options will provide full 90 degree jack-knife capability. However with the new Cruiser notched front cap, either will provide plenty of turning clearance even with a 5-1/2 ft. bed.

[Captain Mike]

"Sidewinder pin box, now called Reese Revolution. It moves the pivot point back 22 inches. Maybe neither of these options will provide full 90 degree jack-knife capability. However with the new Cruiser notched front cap, either will provide plenty of turning clearance even with a 5-1/2 ft. bed."



Wejust watched the video on the Sidewinder and DW wants to buy it for my Christmas present.....Thanks Larry!

[salda01]

Tuscany , are thinking about using your F150 with a 5er? I'm thinking the truck won't like the trailer and the trailer won't like the truck.

Besides the pin weight issues and what I'll call a short short bed I think you may run into issues with the king pin possible making contact with the tail gate or bed rails on on turns. A friend of mine has a real close distance between hit tailgate / king pin using his Chevy 2500 short bed and SandPiper 5er.

[Hunter11]

"Wejust watched the video on the Sidewinder and DW wants to buy it for my Christmas present.....Thanks Larry!"



Mike, our PP came with a Sidewinder hitch as part of a one off deal through Crossroads and Lippert. I did not need it because I only buy LWB trucks but I will say it works very well. I can turn and back this 36' trailer as well as I could our old 31' Cruiser. I think if you get one you will like it. If you have any questions about it PM me.

[John B]

I installed a sidewinder on a friends unit as there was no other ay he could tow it.He towed it many miles without incident. I have another friend who bought a new Sunnybrook and a slider hitch.He never used the combination and was made aware of the Sidewinder and had it installed and loves it. Jb .