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02-18-2017, 01:29 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
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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?
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02-18-2017, 02:50 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 377
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KYCAMPER
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?
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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.
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02-18-2017, 03:37 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 112
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We have the Anderson hitch on ours.Have had 0 problems.
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Dale & Tracey
Dogs; Ringa & Callie
2015 38RL
2012 Dodge Limited
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02-18-2017, 03:45 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,353
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B&W turnover with 5th wheel Companion!!!
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Danny & Linda
Full-timed 10+ years
Former '13 FB owner
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Currently rv & truckless
Replacement undetermined
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02-18-2017, 01:41 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
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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
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02-18-2017, 03:50 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 500
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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.
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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
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02-19-2017, 02:24 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,986
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Larry ~ use the Redwood's jacks to pull the hitch and then just make a table for the hitch to sit on.
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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 ! "
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02-19-2017, 05:04 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 500
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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
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02-19-2017, 10:32 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 234
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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
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06-27-2017, 03:48 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
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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
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06-27-2017, 05:34 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 30
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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!
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06-27-2017, 07:51 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,856
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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.
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06-27-2017, 11:22 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
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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
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06-28-2017, 12:52 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 71
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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.
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Tim and Patty
2017 Redwood 31SL
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06-28-2017, 05:11 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 121
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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.
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06-28-2017, 02:36 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KYCAMPER
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?
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I would also recommend the BW Companion
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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06-28-2017, 03:48 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
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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
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06-28-2017, 07:20 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 234
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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
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06-28-2017, 07:25 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,055
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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
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06-28-2017, 08:15 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,856
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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.
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