I just switched from a 2016 F350 SRW short bed to a F350 DRW long bed. It's a huge truck and it's taking some getting used to. But I sure like being able to make sharp turns without having to worry about tapping the cab.

Jim

I have long been a proponent of the benefits of a manual slider hitch. Regardless of bed length, but does make the shorter box a viable alternative. My 2022 F350 6.5 ft box has the pucks further forward than a similar GM product. I have never encountered a driving situation where the front of the cap came in contact with the cab of the truck . . . but, if I had to make a close to 90 degree turn (which would be an emergency situation for me) I would move the slider first.

Copied from my earlier post on this subject . . . it is a misconception that a manual slider hitch is only to provide additional clearance between front of trailer and truck cab. In my opinion, it is not “do you really need one?” . . . it is “why wouldn’t you want all the advantages of one?”

You can hitch/unhitch at any angle with the tailgate down for the whole process.
Backing is easier with the hitch in the rear position. it's almost as reactive as a travel trailer.
You can see the hitch head when hitching/unhitching with the slider to the rear.
You have much better access to the trailer front compartment with the hitch moved back.

The first thing I do on arrival in front of any campsite is slide the hitch back. The last thing I do when leaving a campsite is slide the hitch forward. Many have told me that this is “too much trouble” . . . but, moving that single lever when I get out to do a site inspection before parking or a final inspection before leaving, doesn’t seem like too much extra work for all the advantages provided.

Rob​​

A while back, I worked out a comparison of the open tailgate to front of RV clearance on a Ford vs GM. This comes down to a comparison of center of axle to edge of open tailgate. The Ford distance is considerably longer. Variation in hitch setup of pin location to center of rear axle would adjust this slightly. Note that this will be the same regardless of bed length because that difference is forward off the rear axle.

Rob

This could be an interesting and easy to measure survey to take. If others are interested, I will start a new thread. My 2015 Reflection 303RLS measures 70.5” horizontally from centerline of pin to surface of front compartment door.

Rob

I just got back from a trip pulling my 337RLS over 3000 miles with my 2024 3500HD with the 6'9" box, puck system and a Curt 16k non slider hitch. I have about 10k miles on the setup. Never had any clearance issues. There is zero reason to use a slider hitch with the GM HD trucks utilizing the puck system. The choice of box length comes down to day to day driving preference. These trucks are big with a high hood and less forward vision than previous models. If your considering one you should drive one before making the decision. Both my 2021 and my 2024 were 6"9" beds, its a personal choice but I will add that the turning on a longbed is going to be even worse and resale on an 8ft bed is not as good as a 6'9"

I might also add an observation from this trip. I saw many rigs that were overweight during my trip. I have quite a bit of experience in truck specs and I have always been good at math and there's no way some of these folks could ever make the math work. Some of them were downright scary.

I scaled my setup loaded with no water in any tanks. My 4500w inverter gen, 2 crates of red oak firewood, a spare 20# propane cylinder, 5 gals of gasoline and a few pieces of cribbing and my rig comes in 13,000 over the empty truck.

Thanks Keith. I have a 2022 Reflection 260RD. I do have the turning point hitch but I also have a B&W hitch. B&W does not locking the pin box because it put too much stress on the hitch and they don't want to liability. I have thought about replacing with a hitch that does support the turning point pin box but I have to went down that road yet. I have thought about the 1 ton but I really don't think we will get any trailer bigger than we have now. - Todd

The Companion has nubs that lock into the ribs of the bed. The OEM companion locks into the pucks.

Why they say not to use a wedge with a Patriot may have to do with the slider option also note the Companion slider manual has the same warning about no wedge.

The warning on the Patriot is with the fixed version, I don't know if it is on the Patriot slider too..