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Solitude 310GK front cap - is it cut-away to aid the use with short bed trucks?

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  • #1

    Solitude 310GK front cap - is it cut-away to aid the use with short bed trucks?

    We will be towing with a Ram MegaCab dually, having a 6'4" box. I'd like to know if the front cap on the Solitude 310GK is designed in such a way (cut away at the bottom corners) as to keep it from striking the rear window of the truck in a 90 degree turn.

    Or, is a sliding hitch required when towing the Solitude 310GK with a short 6'4" truck box?
    Tags: None
  • #2
    With a short bed I would have a sliding hitch. You might not need it but wouldn’t it be nice if you did
    ? I have a short bed and I have never needed it but it’s nice if I did. Just my thought.

    Comment

    • #3
      I have a 2019 Reflection and tow it with a 2008 Ford F250 shortbed. I have scraped the cab of my truck when I made a real tight turn so be careful. I would get a sliding hitch.

      Comment

      • #4
        Originally posted by Roger Lee View Post
        I have a 2019 Reflection and tow it with a 2008 Ford F250 shortbed. I have scraped the cab of my truck when I made a real tight turn so be careful. I would get a sliding hitch.
        Another first-time poster answering a question instead of asking one--awesome! Welcome, Roger Lee. First-hand experience is what an owner's forum is all about, so definitely appreciate your contribution.
        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.

        2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

        Comment

        • #5
          It's my understanding that the Ram has the shortest of the short beds. We started out with a GMC short bed (6'6", I believe) and a Reflection. The front cap would come within inches of the cab on tight turns - and that was with an Andersen Ultimate hitch with the ball behind the rear axle. The Solitudes are 6" wider than the Reflections and your bed is a couple of inches shorter than our GMC's was. I would definitely advocate for an auto-slider for your situation. With a DRW truck, you certainly have the payload capacity for something like the PullRite Superglide or Demco Hijacker - both very good hitches (though heavy). Better having peace of mind than always looking over your shoulder (pun intended ).

          Rob
          Last edited by Second Chance; 12-09-2019, 12:44 PM.
          Rob & Laura
          U.S. Army Retired (Rob)
          2012 F350 DRW CC Lariat PS 6.7, PullRite OE 18K
          2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS and disc brakes, solar, BB LiFePO4, DP windows
          (Previously in a 2016 Reflection 337RLS)
          Full time since 08/2015

          Comment

          • #6
            Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and recommendations! I have much to wrap my head around in sorting this all out.

            Comment

            • #7
              Originally posted by DHart View Post
              Or, is a sliding hitch required when towing the Solitude 310GK with a short 6'4" truck box?
              Required? No, not required. When I get to the point where I start worrying if I'm turning too sharp, I just pull forward a bit and straighten out. I'm not trying to sound flippant but it's probably a better idea to avoid super sharp turns anyway. It's easier on the suspension.

              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
              • Likes 1

              Comment

              • #8
                Hello, I have a 2018 310GK (we love it) We tow with a 2018 Chevy 2500HD Duramax High Country standard bed, We have a Curt 20K with a slider. Weight 288 lbs. Never used the slider. I should have listened to my buddy who told me not to get the slider ill never use it. That being said. I just ordered the Reese PinBox 2nd gen.to go on the front of my 5th wheel. now all i will have to deal with is a goose neck ball. Id really weigh all your options. just watch you cab and trailer, like the other post i just pull forward straighten out and that always works. I had to buy a cherry picker to get the 5th wheel hitch in the bed of my truck, its a big piece of metal and take it out to use the bed of the truck ugh! One more point it will reduce your pin weight.

                Good Luck
                Wade
                Wade & Melinda
                2018 Solitude 310GK
                2020 Chevrolet High Country 3500HD Duramax

                Comment

                • #9
                  We tow a Reflection 337 (soon to be a Solitude 310GK) with a GMC 3500 Duramax crew cab, standard box (6'6 3/4" bed) and use the Pullrite Superglide auto sliding hitch. The sliding hitch takes nearly all of the worry out of backing onto a tight camp site.
                  2021 GMC Denali, CC, DRW, Duramax, 25K B&W Hitch
                  2020 Solitude 310GK
                  Previous: 2018 Reflection 337
                  Previous: 2016 Imagine 2600RB

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                  • #10
                    I always recommend the slider with 6.5' or less. It's a situation of "rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it." But, ultimately, it's up to the customer and I have them acknowledge that they've been advised. LIVE YOUR VISION...NOT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE
                    Scott M. Barlag, RV Product Specialist, NW Indiana
                    • Likes 1

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by DHart View Post
                      We will be towing with a Ram MegaCab dually, having a 6'4" box. I'd like to know if the front cap on the Solitude 310GK is designed in such a way (cut away at the bottom corners) as to keep it from striking the rear window of the truck in a 90 degree turn.

                      Or, is a sliding hitch required when towing the Solitude 310GK with a short 6'4" truck box?
                      We towed a Reflection 337 with a 2016 F250 standard box and I came very close to hitting the cab with the trailer. We now tow a Solitude 310 with a 2019 GMC crew cab standard box, and the PullRite 2700 auto sliding hitch. The hitch is heavy and worth it, at least to me. The sliding hitch takes all the worry out backing onto a campsite from a narrow campground road.
                      2021 GMC Denali, CC, DRW, Duramax, 25K B&W Hitch
                      2020 Solitude 310GK
                      Previous: 2018 Reflection 337
                      Previous: 2016 Imagine 2600RB

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Our first GDRV rig was a 2014 Reflection 337RLS with a similar cap to the Solitude. We paired it with a 2013 Ford F350 short bed. I turned too tight one day trying to get out of a gas station and clipped the cab and put a crease in it. It was minor, but it was a good reminder for me to take the time and slide the hitch when getting into a tight spot.

                        Jim
                        Jim and Ginnie
                        2024 Solitude 310GK - 2020 F350 Dually
                        GDRV Technical Forum Moderator
                        GDRV Rally Support Coordinator

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Newbie here.....We tow our 2019 GBRV 310 with a 2018 Ford F350 short bed and a slider hitch. We had a slider hitch in our previous Ram 3500 pulling a 2010 Mountainiare and wouldn't consider towing without one. LOL! Both our old Ram 3500 and our new F350 have PullRite slider hitches. When we have to make a 90° turn, we never have a worry since the slider automatically lets the 5th wheel slide back. Well worth the peace of mind IMHO. Karen (BTW - I pull about 90% of the time....)

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Butlerkid View Post
                            Newbie here.....We tow our 2019 GBRV 310 with a 2018 Ford F350 short bed and a slider hitch. We had a slider hitch in our previous Ram 3500 pulling a 2010 Mountainiare and wouldn't consider towing without one. LOL! Both our old Ram 3500 and our new F350 have PullRite slider hitches. When we have to make a 90° turn, we never have a worry since the slider automatically lets the 5th wheel slide back. Well worth the peace of mind IMHO. Karen (BTW - I pull about 90% of the time....)
                            Just a quick note to say "Hi" (noted that was your first post) and ask that you check out the Welcome Letter to New Members https://gdrvowners.com/forum/main-fo...to-new-members Hopefully it helps you get the most out of your time here on the forum.

                            Howard
                            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.

                            2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Originally posted by howson View Post

                              Just a quick note to say "Hi" (noted that was your first post) and ask that you check out the Welcome Letter to New Members https://gdrvowners.com/forum/main-fo...to-new-members Hopefully it helps you get the most out of your time here on the forum.

                              Howard
                              Thanks. I did that, but if I done more than just a typo (which I just noticed !) just let me know!

                              Comment

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