Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-18-2017, 01:29 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
KYCAMPER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
New Member - Hitch Advice Needed

Hello all! Just joined this forum. We are about 90% sure we want to purchase the Redwood 3401RL. I sold my Jayco travel trailer so I am new to 5th wheel camping. I need to install a 5th wheel hitch but have a couple of questions. My TV is a 2015 GMC 3500 SRW Duramax with 6.5' bed. Will I need a slider? I also have a truck camper so I need a hitch that has no permanent rails in the bed of the truck. I like the looks of the Anderson Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection but it is not a slider however it appears to have a little bit of an offset to the rear? I especially like the fact that the aluminum model only weighs 35lbs.
What hitch are you happy with?
KYCAMPER is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2017, 02:50 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 377
Quote:
Originally Posted by KYCAMPER View Post
Hello all! Just joined this forum. We are about 90% sure we want to purchase the Redwood 3401RL. I sold my Jayco travel trailer so I am new to 5th wheel camping. I need to install a 5th wheel hitch but have a couple of questions. My TV is a 2015 GMC 3500 SRW Duramax with 6.5' bed. Will I need a slider? I also have a truck camper so I need a hitch that has no permanent rails in the bed of the truck. I like the looks of the Anderson Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection but it is not a slider however it appears to have a little bit of an offset to the rear? I especially like the fact that the aluminum model only weighs 35lbs.
What hitch are you happy with?
I have bed rails in mine. I use 2X4s in the bed and throw plywood on top covered with rubber horse stall mats in the bed when using the bed topper. Love this setup due temp control and limited slipping of items
__________________
2013 Redwood 36RL. 2005 Dodge 3500 DRW 4X4. 6 speed manual transmission. South Bend dual disc clutch.
Tomkidder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2017, 03:37 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Dale & Tracey Fietz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 112
We have the Anderson hitch on ours.Have had 0 problems.
__________________


Dale & Tracey
Dogs; Ringa & Callie
2015 38RL
2012 Dodge Limited
Dale & Tracey Fietz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2017, 03:45 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
travelin' texans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,353
B&W turnover with 5th wheel Companion!!!
__________________
Danny & Linda
Full-timed 10+ years
Former '13 FB owner
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Currently rv & truckless
Replacement undetermined
travelin' texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2017, 01:41 PM   #5
Junior Member
 
KYCAMPER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
Thanks for the reply. How long is the bed of your truck? Is there an offset in the hitch towards the rear of the truck?
__________________
2016 Cirrus 800 Truck Camper
2018 Redwood 3401RL??
2015 GMC 3500 CC SLT SRW 4WD Duramax
KYCAMPER is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2017, 03:50 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
xtasee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 500
I also have a 6.5 bed.

Some people here on the forum say the because of the design of the front cap on the redwood, a slider is not necessary so you may get away with not using one.

I like to be safe and also like everything built Heavy Duty (see my profile below) and did not want to chance ever hitting the cab.

I chose the 4400 slider by Pullrite. The upside is that you can remove it from your bed and have no rails. It just has the holes where you drop the pins in. If you really need to you, can get plastic caps for those pin holes. The best part is it is totally automatic and you do not need to get in or out of the truck. It does all the work. Many other sliders require you to get out of truck, pull the pin, move the truck, get out and put the pin back in, get back in the truck, move the rig.

The Downside is they are very heavy and it takes two pretty strong guys (thank goodness for a son that can help sometimes) to get it in and out of the bed. Some people have rigged up a winch system to lift it rather than doing it manually.

I am very pleased with mine and if I had to do it over, I would make the same choice.
Here is a link to the website for more info:

SuperGlide 20K | Fifth Wheel Hitches by PullRite

We love our choice of models and your will be in that same class. I would love to see the 3401. I have only heard good things about it.
__________________
Larry, Stephanie Park City, Utah
2017 31SL King, 8K axles, Disc Brakes,17.5 Goodyear H tires,BU Camera,5.5 Onan, Heated HT pads, Two Uniguard Awnings, Slide Toppers, 2000w PSW inverter
xtasee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2017, 02:24 AM   #7
Site Team
 
piper guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,986
Larry ~ use the Redwood's jacks to pull the hitch and then just make a table for the hitch to sit on.
__________________
Vaughan & Tracy 2013 RW 36RL, 2013 F350 DRW CC, 2016 Focus. MorRyde IS, MorRyde pinbox, disc brakes, Comfort Ride Hitch. "Life is to be embraced, Grab it with both arms ! "
piper guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2017, 05:04 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
xtasee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 500
Great Idea Vaughn. I will give it a try next time I need it out.

It pretty much stays in the bed under the tri-fold at this point...
__________________
Larry, Stephanie Park City, Utah
2017 31SL King, 8K axles, Disc Brakes,17.5 Goodyear H tires,BU Camera,5.5 Onan, Heated HT pads, Two Uniguard Awnings, Slide Toppers, 2000w PSW inverter
xtasee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2017, 10:32 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
GTXRAS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 234
We have the Anderson with a short bed RAM. No problems turning and in 5 minutes its out and under the RW if need be. I have the block turned so the pin is ahead of the ball. Puts the pin over the axle, no issues with it this way.

Rick
__________________
2015 Ram 3500 SLT Mega Cab DRW, SS Nerf Bars, Andersen Ultimate Hitch, ATTA Freedom Fill System
Living Full Time in a 2015 39MB Tan & Burgundy Urban Clay/Caramel, Wineguard Dish, Res Fridge & Induction Cook Top, myRV Linc Remote, MorRyde 8K IS, Titan Disk Brakes, 17.5 Sailun S637's
GTXRAS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2017, 03:48 PM   #10
Junior Member
 
KYCAMPER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
Anybody using the Andersen hitch with the Flex Air pin box? Anderson makes a lockout kit for the Rota Flex so it can be used with the Andersen hitch. Andersen was not aware of the existence of the Flex Air so they don't make a lockout kit for that pin box but I am hoping it will fit anyway. If not, I'll have to change my setup.
__________________
2016 Cirrus 800 Truck Camper
2018 Redwood 3401RL??
2015 GMC 3500 CC SLT SRW 4WD Duramax
KYCAMPER is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2017, 05:34 PM   #11
Member
 
boatguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 30
I'm not sure what A lock out is but I am using The Andersen Ultimate with Flex Air and no troubles.
__________________
2017 GMC 3500HD Denali DRW pulling a
2018 RW3901MB, Disc Brakes, Dual ACs, Auto Sat Dish,
Stack W/D, 5500 Onan, Andersen Ultimate Hitch, 400 Watts of Solar fun!
boatguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2017, 07:51 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,856
Getting way off topic here, but I too have the Andersen. And I use a TrailAir. No issues.
__________________
2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff
2013 36FL
Cindy and Tom, Toby and Kasey (our Berner and Newfie)
Oh...I forgot the five kids.
spindrift is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2017, 11:22 PM   #13
Junior Member
 
KYCAMPER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
Anderson recommends using a lockout kit when using the Anderson Ultimate with the Trail Air Rotaflex pin box or the Trail Air Flex Air pin box. The lockout kit locks out movement of the pivoting head and subsequent shifting of the rubber pad. (Looks to me that if you make the pivoting head rigid it will eliminate front/rear movement of the pin box due to the pivoting head sort of "rolling over" the ball. That's just my assessment?). The lockout kit is Andersen part number 3247, Rotaflex "Lockout" Kit. It's $40 and a piece of cake to install. Take a look at the web page and see what you think. I have been in contact with a guy named Sage at Anderson - he may be able to explain it to you better.
__________________
2016 Cirrus 800 Truck Camper
2018 Redwood 3401RL??
2015 GMC 3500 CC SLT SRW 4WD Duramax
KYCAMPER is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2017, 12:52 AM   #14
Member
 
texastbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 71
I have the 6.5 bed on a GMC and have a B&W Patriot slider. Haven't used the slider and probably won't ever need to that I can see.
__________________
Tim and Patty
2017 Redwood 31SL
texastbird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2017, 05:11 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
NewRW Owner's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 121
We also have a B&W with a 5th wheel Companion 20k. It works really well but it's heavy. We use a portable engine puller to take it on and off which makes it a breeze. We also have a truck camper that we use to go places our RW can't go or when hauling horses or our boat.
NewRW Owner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2017, 02:36 PM   #16
dmc
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by KYCAMPER View Post
Hello all! Just joined this forum. We are about 90% sure we want to purchase the Redwood 3401RL. I sold my Jayco travel trailer so I am new to 5th wheel camping. I need to install a 5th wheel hitch but have a couple of questions. My TV is a 2015 GMC 3500 SRW Duramax with 6.5' bed. Will I need a slider? I also have a truck camper so I need a hitch that has no permanent rails in the bed of the truck. I like the looks of the Anderson Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection but it is not a slider however it appears to have a little bit of an offset to the rear? I especially like the fact that the aluminum model only weighs 35lbs.

What hitch are you happy with?


I would also recommend the BW Companion


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
dmc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2017, 03:48 PM   #17
Junior Member
 
KYCAMPER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
Newrwowner: where did you get your portable engine puller? That sounds like a good idea.
__________________
2016 Cirrus 800 Truck Camper
2018 Redwood 3401RL??
2015 GMC 3500 CC SLT SRW 4WD Duramax
KYCAMPER is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2017, 07:20 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
GTXRAS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 234
Also have an Anderson and Trailair, works great.
__________________
2015 Ram 3500 SLT Mega Cab DRW, SS Nerf Bars, Andersen Ultimate Hitch, ATTA Freedom Fill System
Living Full Time in a 2015 39MB Tan & Burgundy Urban Clay/Caramel, Wineguard Dish, Res Fridge & Induction Cook Top, myRV Linc Remote, MorRyde 8K IS, Titan Disk Brakes, 17.5 Sailun S637's
GTXRAS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2017, 07:25 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
johnboytoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,055
Wasn't he asking about a hitch for short beds ?

Hope someone new reading this doesn't get the wrong idea...

I have the pullrite 4400 slider available if anyone wants it.
__________________
Ours: '11 Monaco Diplomat 43DFT followed closely by '14 Jeep 4 dr Wrangler.
Hers: '13 Explorer Sport - AWD 365hp twin turbo scooter!
Previous: '13 Ford F350 CC Platinum and '13 38GK
johnboytoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2017, 08:15 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,856
Good point, JB. Personally, I wouldn't want my Andersen to be offset towards the tailgate of the truck; too much pin weight rear of the axle. Andersen should be able to tell KYCamper whether or not the hitch is suitable for short beds. I have no idea.
__________________
2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff
2013 36FL
Cindy and Tom, Toby and Kasey (our Berner and Newfie)
Oh...I forgot the five kids.
spindrift is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Redwood Registry

JOI

Krogers

Lucky

LCYoungJr
Add your Redwood RV
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Redwood RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:11 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×