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Need slider hitch? 2016 Solitude 321RL towed by 2020 GMC 3500 with the new 6'9" box.

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  • Need slider hitch? 2016 Solitude 321RL towed by 2020 GMC 3500 with the new 6'9" box.

    Hi. We just bought a 2016 Solitude 321RL and have a 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 diesel on order. The truck has the new standard box which is now 6' 9" long.
    I'd rather not get the BW slider hitch (BWRVK3775) and am wondering is anyone have any related experience? The slider hitch is bigger, heavier and costs
    more so would prefer to stick with the standard non-slider hitch. Since the front cap of the 321RL is curved I'm hoping that the slider hitch isn't necessary.
    Many thanks!

  • #2
    I've heard many say they've gone years without. I know I'd have at least one Oops moment so we went with an auto-slider. There's plenty of other things to think about!

    Similarly we went 5th wheel to avoid trailering issues, so we don't even use the Turning Point pin box on our Reflection. Proper tools for a proper job!

    Rick,

    2019 Grand Design Reflection 150 273MK
    2015 Ford F350 CC SB Lariat Powerstroke
    PullRite Superglide

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    • #3
      Rather than getting a slider hitch, I just pull forward and straighten it out a bit then start backing again rather than continuing a turn that is too sharp. Those ultra-sharp turns aren't good for the suspension anyway.
      Last edited by bertschb; 02-17-2020, 05:28 PM.
      Brian & Kellie
      2020 Grand Design Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, MORryde IS, 1,460w solar and 540ah BBGC3
      2020 Ford F-350 Platinum SRW PSD Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch

      Previous setups:
      2019 Grand Design Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 Ford F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
      2016 Grand Design Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch

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      • #4
        Joe&Sherry

        I see that this is your first post . . . welcome to our owners technical forum!

        If you take a piece of string with a loop large enough to fit around the trailer pin and of a length to match the distance been your truck hitch receiver (usually centred over the rear axle) and the back of the cab, you can swing this string around the front of the Solitude to determine your clearance or interference points. Remember to check above a horizontal plane to cover uneven ground situations.

        I use a manual slider hitch. Lighter than an auto slider and has other advantages in maneuvering the trailer while backing (with the trailer pin behind the centreline of the rear axle), hitching/unhitching at any angle and increased clearance to the trailer front storage compartment while hitched.

        Rob
        Cate & Rob
        (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
        2015 Reflection 303RLS
        2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
        Bayham, Ontario, Canada

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        • #5
          Wow, you guys are great and have provided some good info. Rob, I especially like your measuring technique....I'll give your measurement technique a try. If I do need a slider hitch I'll go with a manual slider...I didn't know about the advantages.
          Thanks very much everyone.

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          • #6
            Joe&Sherry


            When backing a 5th wheel with a fixed or auto slider hitch, it takes more turning angle of the truck to get the trailer turn started than it does with a bumper pull trailer because the connection point to the trailer is directly over the rear axle of the truck, so you have to get the entire truck moving in the direction that you want the front of the trailer to go. With a manual slider hitch, you move the connection point to about a foot behind the rear axle of the truck. As soon as you start to turn the front of the truck in one direction, the pin of the trailer moves in the opposite direction (pivoting around the rear axle) . . . much like a bumper pull trailer. A much more responsive situation.

            Rob
            Cate & Rob
            (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
            2015 Reflection 303RLS
            2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
            Bayham, Ontario, Canada

            Comment


            • #7
              Hi folks,
              I thought I would update you with what hitch we ended up with.
              We ended up getting the non slider hitch BWRVK3710.
              Our new 2020 GMC 3500 has the slightly longer box at 6'9" and the front of our Solitude 321RL has the curved front.
              While I know I can't jackknife this combo I can certainly do virtually all turns that I will ever need to do.
              I hope this helps someone in the future.
              Regards,
              Joe

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