Back in 2015 when I took the dive into getting a fifth wheel camper, I needed to figure out what hitch to get. 5th Wheel Hitches need to be mounted above the rear axle for proper attachment and weight distribution. My F-350 being a short bed limited my selection. Short bed trucks with less distance between cab and hitch mounting location cause many fifth wheels could come in contact with the rear cab or back window when turning sharply. This has been improved by less boxy front cap designs recently. But still a reality I never wanted to have to deal with.
The solution to my short bed blues
After some research, I learned a lot about sliding fifth wheel hitches which are the solution to this issue for short bed trucks. They are more costly than fixed 5th wheel hitches. But ONE hit to the back of the cab could do thousands of damage to my truck and/or the fiberglass front cap on the fifth wheel. Basically how they work is when the truck is pulling the camper straight the hitch head is lined up above the axle like a traditional fixed 5th wheel hitch. When the truck turns, they can slide the head of the hitch back giving more clearance between cab and 5th wheel front cap. When the camper straightens back up and it moves back to the forward position above the rear axle. But there is also two types of sliding hitches including the manual and auto sliding.
Manual Sliding hitch VS Auto Sliding Hitch
Manual sliding hitches require the owner to stop and “unlock” the sliding action of the hitch to turn sharply and have the hitch push the hitch head back for the turn. Then the owner has to stop again and relock the hitch for straight driving. While auto sliding hitches use a “capture plate” and automatically slide the hitch head back depending on how much the truck is turning and back into place when the truck straightens back up. Sounds like a “no brainer” right?? No not at all as that convenience of the auto sliding action of course is adds complication AND like always to the price tag! Generally manual sliders run approximately $1,000 to $2,000 depending on weight maximum and brand. While auto sliding hitches run $1,500 to $3,000 depending on weight maximum and brand. Then you have to add mounting brackets if your truck is not factory equipped with a 5th wheel puck system and/or capture plate which can together run another $500.
My Selection Process
I was on a budget at the time but decided I really wanted to spring for an auto sliding hitch as I knew I didn’t want to or would forget to unlock the hitch. Like WHO wants to have to stop in the middle of a highway when they want to make a “U-Turn” and have to jump out to unlock their hitch. So after research, I had found Pullrite Auto Sliding hitches were great but at the top of the above price range. I turned to good old Craigslist and found some in decent condition for sale for $500 to $800 but of course I had to get matching mounting brackets for my truck. As they are hard to remove and most people had different trucks than I did who were selling. Brackets are truck model and year dependent. They are designed to line up with factory frame holes so you don’t drill into your frame for the bolts.
Pullrite Auto Sliding Hitch Purchase Experience
So I called Pullrite and happened to get the head of marketing to try and get pricing on the bracketing I needed for one of the used hitches I had found. This is where Pullrite PROVED not only do they make the best auto sliding hitches on the market BUT also how great of a company they truly are. I had conversation with the gentleman explaining I just needed to get pricing on brackets for my truck. He asked about my family and “why camping was so important to me.” I explained to him how I wanted to get my kids into it as it was the finest memories I had of my dad which died when I was barely a teenager. Also how my oldest son is autistic and we had been suggested traveling in a camper would be better as he had many issues in hotels. He told me he had to go look up what they had in the warehouse and he would call me back.
Then it happened!
Roughly ten minute later, I got a call back from him and one of the kindest things I ever experienced happened. He explained to me that he had a family member that was autistic and he completely understood my reasoning. He also explained he wanted my family to have a new hitch not risk it on an used hitch. At first, I responded of course a new hitch would be great but spending $3,000 was out of the question for my budget at the time. THEN HE DROPPED IT ON ME! Pullrite wanted to offer me a NEW hitch, brackets, capture plate, and the super mounting system for FREE!! All I had to do was cover shipping for roughly $300! All they asked in return was for me to show my hitch and talk about it at campgrounds if people asked about it. It brought me to tears as at the time the economy was still struggling from the housing crash of 2008 and I was working in construction.
Pullrite 2900 (New Version of my hitch)
Click image above to checkout on Amazon deal!
Few Weeks Later
I received my Pullrite 3600 with correct brackets for my F-350, capture plate for my pin box, and the super mounting system. Now over 6 years later when people ask I explain my amazing experience not only with the hitch as it has been flawless but the company its self. Part of the reason it will be my FIRST review on this blog due this amazing kindness they showed a complete stranger when I am sure their sales were struggling in the economy.