If there isn’t a user’s manual for “Towing 101,” there should
be. If all we did was pull our rigs in a straight line, this slider vs. manual
hitch debate wouldn’t be necessary.
However, when towing a 5th
wheel in and out of tight spaces, the right tow hitch can make all the
difference. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which is right for you.
Many experienced RV’ers will tell you that a standard manual
hitch is good enough and that a slider isn’t necessary. However, even the most
seasoned drivers will admit that even though they hardly use the slider hitch, it’s
ended up saving their hides on more than one occasion. One thing is for sure: maneuvering
your towed unit out of a tight space puts you at risk for jack knifing your
5er and causing significant damage to your tow vehicle. (Ouch!) This is
where the flexibility of a slider hitch gives you a definite advantage. Also,
if your pin box comes straight down, the slider really is necessary. Many
drivers choose a manual hitch because it costs less, but let’s think about that
for a minute. Compare the price difference between a slider and a manual, and
consider how much it will cost you to repair a caved in bed and broken rear
window. Seems to me if you only used the slider once it would pay for itself.
Manual hitches perform well in certain circumstances and as
mentioned before, they cost less. For example, if your 5th wheel has a V
nose and an extended pin box and your hitch placement is correct, a manual
hitch turns with just as much precision as a slider.
Towing, backing and turning around in a 5th
wheel isn’t for the faint of heart – the more experienced the driver, the
better. But if you haven’t done much towing or your unit doesn’t meet the
above criteria, a slider hitch is one of those “Better safe than sorry”
investments to consider.
Happy Trails!