Fifth Wheel Without a Slider?

LJRome · 07-30-2009, 02:19 PM

Hello everyone. I purchased my Titan last Friday. I have always been a Chevy truck person but the Titan seemed to be a nice truck and a great value. Add to that the instability of Chevrolet and I became a first time Nissan owner. I must say that I love the new truck. I wish I had made this move a long time ago. Anyway, I have a fifth wheel camper. I have read many great postings here and they have been very informative. I am curious to know if someone has towed a fifth wheel without a slider on a king cab. I do not have a slider hitch, currently, and I am going camping soon. I have towed the fifth wheel with a 6.5 foot bed before without a slider, one just has to be careful. My bed is longer than the bed on the crew cab, which it seems most of you towing a fifth wheel have. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

nnak58 · 07-30-2009, 02:56 PM

I wouldnt recommend a shortbed without a slider, I have seen too many busted back windows and crunched cab corners.

Pops · 07-30-2009, 03:51 PM

I wouldn't try it unless you have a long bed but that's just from guessing.

Beech19 · 08-04-2009, 10:32 AM

I have a KC and I pull mine without a slider hitch and have no issues. My pinbox is extended which helps. There is quite a bit of clearance.

LJRome · 08-05-2009, 04:34 AM

Thanks everyone for giving me some answers. Beech19, I have the extended pinbox as well on my fifth wheel. I think that I may give it a try now that I know someone else does it. I do not have the slider hitch as of yet and I hate to have to buy a new hitch considering the fact that I just bought my current hitch last year. I will see how it goes before I invest in another hitch.

Thanks.

DropZone · 08-16-2009, 08:58 PM

Hey LJ Rome, I currently have the same issue

I have a 26' fifthwheel w/an extended pinbox and also purchased a nonsliding hitch b4 realizing i needed a slider

I have'nt installed it so I would REALLY appreciate it if u can let me know if your nonsliding hitch worked with your extended pinbox and shortbed....thanx!

LJRome · 08-16-2009, 09:28 PM

DropZone, I have had no complaints thus far. My driveway is narrow and so is the street that I am turning onto when I pull out and I still have at least a foot before I have any issues with hitting the cab. I was nervous the first time but it seems fine but I think it is safe to say that I can make at least a 70 to 75 degree turn with no issues. Of course, there is no possibility of a 90 degree turn but I have had a fifth wheel for 3 years and never encountered the need to make a 90 degree turn. In fact, I have never found a turn that was worse than my driveway since day one of towing a fifth wheel. I have decided to not purchase the slider right now because I have not seen any issues. I have been to two campgrounds with the fifth wheel and both trips were problem free. I do get someone to keep an eye out when I am in a tight spot but there has been absolutely no issues. If I were starting over, I think I would not buy the slider and go with the same setup I have. I will say that I do get a lot of strange looks when people see my huge 32 foot KZ Durango on the back of the T, especially with no slider, but I rather enjoy seeing the suprise on people's faces. I hope this helps you make a decision.

LJRome · 08-16-2009, 09:30 PM

By the way, DropZone, in case you are wondering, I am using a Reese ProSeries 15K hitch without the slider bars.

DropZone · 08-18-2009, 10:51 PM

Thanx for the info LJRome! After reading your reply I do think Im gonna give it a shot with the nonsliding hitch. Although I live in a culdesac I dont think Im going to go past 75* pulling the 5er in or out. I have a 15k vally ind. hitch, just need to find an installation kit for the rails and Ill be set. Again, Thanx!!

LJRome · 08-19-2009, 04:30 AM

I found the installation kit for the universal bed rail kit at etrailer.com. Make sure you order the brackets for the Nissan Titan because it makes life much easier. I had a universal rail kit when I bought the truck. I decided to attempt the install without the brackets for the Titan but when I began looking at things, a shock mount was in the way so either my hitch would have to be mounted too far back or too far forward. I ended up ordering the kit for the Titan before continuing the install. This is what you need:

Under Bed Brakets for Titan

and you need the rail kit itself:

Universal Rail Kit

Etrailer is very good about shipping accurate and fast. I have used them a few times and have been very pleased. They have many warehouses so things get to you pretty fast. In addition, they were the only ones I could find that had the under bed brackets in stock for the Titan when I installed my hitch. Hope this helps you.

LJRome · 08-23-2009, 02:01 PM

DropZone, have you had the opportunity to tow the trailer yet. I took mine out this weekend and could not resist the chance to take a few pics, so here they are.

Once again, there were absolutely no problems with the hitch even without the slider.

Nissanloyalist · 08-30-2009, 05:48 PM

Dropzone, if you have a Crew Cab you will NOT be able to tow a 5er without a slider. Even with my slider I could only do a 75 to 80 degree turn and would not have come close to that if not had it. I have a 12k superglide for sale if your interested.

cfdeng3 · 08-31-2009, 06:51 AM

LJ is that a utility trailer behind the 5th??? How long is that entire setup?

LJRome · 08-31-2009, 10:11 AM

That is a utility trailer behind my fifth wheel. I tow the golf cart on the utility trailer behind the fifth wheel. I am roughly 68 ft. long with this setup, including truck, fiver, and utility trailer. The legal limit in Louisiana for tandem towing is 70 ft., so my rig is legal here. I am not sure about other states but I never take the golf cart out of state so it has not been an issue. It is relatively easy to tow but you do have to get used to the length. After the first few trips, I was completely comfortable with the rig.

Beech19 · 09-02-2009, 08:03 PM

I used my trailer last weekend, here are a couple pics showing the clearance I have