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  • Turning point or sliding hitch

    I have a GD Reflection 150 226RK and presently tow with a Dodge Ram 3500 4x2 long bed with a B&W Patriot 16K fixed hitch. To get to my usual boondocking site, I really need four wheel drive and I’m looking at a Ram 2500 short bed 4x4 with installed puck system.
    If I use the stock Lippert Turning Point as intended, that will save buying a sliding hitch as I could use my current B&W hitch with an adapter for the puck system plus a wedge. I’m a little concerned that a 4x4 truck sits a little higher than my 4x2 and that the adapters add from 1 3/8” to 2” in height to the B&W hitch.
    What’s the groups opinion on towing with the Turning Point vs. a sliding hitch?

    Joe
    2022 Reflection 150 226RK
    2022 Ram 2500 4x4 short bed 6.7 Cummins

  • #2
    I put on a Sidewinder hitch, which is the turning point, only they change the name when selling it aftermarket, on my trailer, due to my RAM 3500 (4x4) short bed. It works well, and I would not tow without it, or a sliding hitch. Both systems are good, and both have negative points also. Since the trailer comes with the turning point, I would use it and see how it works. As far as height, maybe someone here has the same setup and can comment, but a lot depends on the truck with what wheels are on it, and how it sits from the factory. I would think the B&W has enough adjustment that may offset any difference in height. Most people run into problems when they put the larger wheels on the trucks.

    I have only been towing my 5th wheel for a little over a year, and if I could, I would pick a sliding hitch over the turning point/Sidewinder. I am not that fond of the wedge, which can be a pain in the a** to get it tight, although you should be fine after the initial adjustment. People complain about having to be straight on when backing into the trailer during hitch up, an that is true, but after some time, you either learn how to back up to it, or not. My trailer doesn't have a lot of pin weight, and the setup I have, helps increase the trailer pin weight over a slider.
    2021 GD Momentum 320G 8K Axle
    2023 Chevy 3500HD LTZ SB CC 4x4 Dmax

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    • #3
      I have a slider and would not consider a turning point based on the maintenance. The turning point puts all the load into a set of tapered roller bearings and you measure the gap increase at the back to determine if it's time to service other than annually pulling and replacing the grease. (look for the video on you tube or links on the website here).
      Joseph
      Tow
      Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
      Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
      South of Houston Texas

      Comment


      • #4
        Okay before you do anything? You need to measure your bed rail height on that new 4 x 4 subtract that number from your overhang height when your camper is parked on asphalt and level. You need at least 6 or 7 in clearance between the bed and the cab for Highway Towing and a lot more for boondocking or you're going to bang the Box cross rutting.

        Turning Point is awesome and you don't have to use it ALL the time it's convertible. It requires service just like wheel bearings or anything else and just like everything else if you don't take care of it it will break and it's pretty easy to service for anyone with big tools you can actually do it on the back of your truck or just use a lift table it's not that big a deal or the dealer can do it for you in a jiffy while they service the axles and suspension. Sliders are awesome if you like weight lifting and hopping in and out of your vehicle all the time. Auto sliders? No experience with them.

        First do your measurements. Then save some money get the right wedge for your current fixie and use the Turning Point it comes with the rig and just service it when you do the hub bearings and the pivots and try to only uncouple on the flattest ground possible with a straight shot to the PIN and enjoy the new truck smell.
        Last edited by pvduke; 05-08-2022, 02:23 AM. Reason: Sorry autocorrect correction darn phone
        '20 Baby Grand 230RL
        '93 Ford F350, 4WD, Crew, long box, 7.5L, SRW
        Demco High Jacker 6076P-16k
        Demco custom rails 8552005-71

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        • #5
          I appreciate everyone's reply. I did go ahead and buy the 4x4 truck and it's to be delivered tomorrow for me to make the measurements. I plan to use my almost new B&W Patriot hitch from the old truck and try the Turning Point option. I did order a wedge that's suppose to fit the B&W hitch better than the one that came with the Curt Turning Point. I'll report back.

          Joe
          2022 Reflection 150 226RK
          2022 Ram 2500 4x4 short bed 6.7 Cummins

          Comment


          • #6
            Good job. Post the the tailgate and bed rail height measurements when you get them.
            '20 Baby Grand 230RL
            '93 Ford F350, 4WD, Crew, long box, 7.5L, SRW
            Demco High Jacker 6076P-16k
            Demco custom rails 8552005-71

            Comment


            • #7
              Measured everything and I don't think this new 4x4 is going to work without some modifications. With the trailer level, the overhang height is 60". The weight bearing surface of the pin box is 48.5"

              My old truck, on which the trailer sat nice and level with maybe 9" of bedrail clearance, truck rail height is 51" measured near the cab and the new truck measures 57.5". Both have an approximate bed depth of 20.5".

              I have a B&W 16K Patriot Hitch which has a height adjustment of 3". Using it with the old truck, it was in it's highest position.

              Of course the truck bed will lower some with the weight of the trailer. The truck came with an "off road package" but that didn't add larger tires but may have boosted to overall height.

              Joe
              2022 Reflection 150 226RK
              2022 Ram 2500 4x4 short bed 6.7 Cummins

              Comment


              • #8
                It looks like the off-road package includes stiffer shocks and an option of 20" versus 18" tires, and other stuff that should not impact suspension or rail be height.

                This is all theoretical without knowing how much the new truck will squat with the trailer on it, but if the bed depths are the same and the hitch height is the same, you should have the same 9" clearance between the bottom of the overhang and the truck rail at the hitch. You may (this is the theoretical part) be ridding nose up and have less clearance at the tailgate. How much nose up and how much less clearance, I can't say. But you've probably already figured all of this out.
                John
                2018 Momentum 395M
                2018 Ram 3500 Dually
                Every day is a Saturday, but with no lawn to mow.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by JBill9694 View Post
                  It looks like the off-road package includes stiffer shocks and an option of 20" versus 18" tires, and other stuff that should not impact suspension or rail be height.

                  This is all theoretical without knowing how much the new truck will squat with the trailer on it, but if the bed depths are the same and the hitch height is the same, you should have the same 9" clearance between the bottom of the overhang and the truck rail at the hitch. You may (this is the theoretical part) be ridding nose up and have less clearance at the tailgate. How much nose up and how much less clearance, I can't say. But you've probably already figured all of this out.
                  I remember on Ford at least while the wheels were a different size, the tires were as well which mostly negated the change in ride height between the two.
                  Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

                  Neil Citro
                  2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
                  2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by JLMorris View Post
                    Measured everything and I don't think this new 4x4 is going to work without some modifications. With the trailer level, the overhang height is 60". The weight bearing surface of the pin box is 48.5"

                    My old truck, on which the trailer sat nice and level with maybe 9" of bedrail clearance, truck rail height is 51" measured near the cab and the new truck measures 57.5". Both have an approximate bed depth of 20.5".

                    I have a B&W 16K Patriot Hitch which has a height adjustment of 3". Using it with the old truck, it was in it's highest position.

                    Of course the truck bed will lower some with the weight of the trailer. The truck came with an "off road package" but that didn't add larger tires but may have boosted to overall height.

                    Joe
                    Okay thanks for the numbers. Looks like you're dealing with a 6.5 in difference. You are probably going to have 1.5 or 2in of sag with 1,200 lb pin weight so that right there equals 4.5 in of bed rail clearance, IF the bed deck heights are the same, with a level nose and the same bed depth as your old truck. If your new truck bed deck height is taller then you will be nose High by the approximate difference. If you go with your Puck system that will give you another two inches bed rail clearance based on your prior statement and put your nose hire another couple inches then you will have 6 or 6.5 in of clearance but then the nose is going to be too high. The Next Step would be to lower the truck a couple inches if possible or lift the trailer 2 inch ( trailer blocks.com, etcetera) or both and that should get you fairly leveled out with wiggle room for your hitch adjustment and enough bed rail clearance. I would lift the trailer first then reassess since your boondocking ( and go really slow doing same). That's how it is nowadays with four-wheel drive trucks and modern Fifth Wheelers ask me how I know. A fifth wheel camper 2 in nose High behind a big four wheel drive truck is pretty common and acceptable in most cases if it doesn't look too radically far from being level. And remember if you lift your trailer Take It Easy Off Road. And I like the 226 r k that's a really nice rig just take it super easy off road and be careful when cross-rutting or going through washouts off-roading with a 5th wheel is challenging they were designed with smooth payment and low two wheel drive trucks in mind.

                    My TV aka The Pig: BR=54.5/55, BDH=36, BD=19.5...
                    20 GD Reflection 150 230RL: OH=61, Skid= 49.5 with Turning Point locked.
                    Last edited by pvduke; 05-13-2022, 12:08 AM. Reason: Autocorrect and kept losing connection
                    '20 Baby Grand 230RL
                    '93 Ford F350, 4WD, Crew, long box, 7.5L, SRW
                    Demco High Jacker 6076P-16k
                    Demco custom rails 8552005-71

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I was able to use the OEM Ram pucks with a Reese adapter that accepts my original B&W Patriot 16k fixed hitch. I moved the pivot arms to the most rearward and lowest position. The trailer sits slightly nose high with 5.5” bedrail clearance. With the short bed Ram, I can get to around 70 degrees without hitting the cab. Where I usually boondock, I don’t have to back into the camping site at a sharp angle. I bought the wedge adapter for the B&W so could use the Turning Point setup in a pinch at a campground. When I return to my dealership for some warranty work, I’ll ask about raising the trailer so I can move the pivot arms up to get more bedrail clearance.
                      In this attached picture, the landing gear is actually 1” off the ground.
                      2022 Reflection 150 226RK
                      2022 Ram 2500 4x4 short bed 6.7 Cummins

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Do you have any adjustment holes left in the pin box? If so you can probably either have the dealer lower the pin, or do it yourself. If you choose to do it yourself, don't forget to torque the bolts.
                        Joseph
                        Tow
                        Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
                        Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
                        South of Houston Texas

                        Comment

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