Ok, sold my travel trailer last week, upgrading to a fifth wheel. I have an 09 F250 Short-bed Supercrew 4x4 so obviously, I need a slider hitch. Ordered a 16K Superglide from a trailer shop here. Had one shop quote me 1800 installed for a manual slider, found another shop that would get me the Superglide 16K for 1999 installed so that seemed like a decent deal. From what I've read, I also need a "capture plate" for the king pin on the trailer. Pullrite has a chart, here: http://www.pullrite.com/pdfs/QCCP_Fit_Chart.pdf

I looked over the 5th wheel I purchased (It's a Forest River "Wildcat") and there are no manufacturers markings or any numbers on the king pin anywhere. From the measurements I took, it appears to be a Lippert 1621. I see they have a Quick-Connect plate for that specific make, which seems to be a simple slip on no drill/bolt application install. They also have "Multi-Fit" plates that fit a wider range of kin pin dimensions, but I wasn't sure if these multi-fit plates required any drilling, welding, or bolting like the "Universal" capture plates do. Can anyone shed some insight on this? I mean I'm reasonably sure its the Lippert 1621, but I would prefer the Multi-Fit plate because of the flexibility just in case it isn't a 1621.

I bought the trailer from a lady who lives approximately 200 miles away from me and I left it there with her for the time being. My Superglide is supposed to arrive early next week, at which time I will have it installed and then drive back down to where the trailer is parked and bring the trailer back home with me. I just didn't want to be in a situation where I drive 200 miles down there to get the trailer and I have the wrong capture plate and need to drive all the way back to town and order a new one. I would prefer the slip on type installation the Quick-Connect type plates offer because I won't have any equipment available to drill, bolt, or weld and the area is in a rural part of Alaska where I doubt I can find a mechanic to do the work for me.

Any info would be appreciated!!

 

Moved to the Towing, Trailers & 5th Wheels forum.

 

Doh! Thanks, didn't notice there was a towing sub forum.

 

No worries.

Considering your question, I figured you'd get a better response in this forum.....These folks are great with that kind of stuff!

 

Just an FYI, I have a reese 18K Slider in my short bed. It is the signature series. Hidden hitch system.

Eveything is one piece, works exceptionally well and I did not have to purchase parts to put it all together.

Just an alternative to what you are looking at. I don't know anything about the superglide.

Maybe this will at least give it a bump.

I have pics of mine in my album.

 

Is that a manual slider? I think the first shop I went to was going to install a Husky 16K manual slider but I wanted the Superglide as its fully automatic. From what it looks like, the Superglide requires a bit more in terms of maintenance versus a regular slider hitch (i.e. Slip Plate or similar on the sliding mechanism) and the required use of a custom capture plate, however, I think in the end it would be worth it for me because of not having to worry about getting out and engaging/disengaging the slide.

I'm fairly certain I could get by with the manual as I always try and reserve pull through camp sites and I try to plan my trips as best as possible. However, there are those unexpected times where your trailer ends up in the damnedest positions. Our gas stations here in Alaska are like damn war zones in the summer time absolutely packed with RV's, boats, and trailers from tourists during fishing season. You have to make some pretty crafty turns getting in an out of there, figured the slider would be great for situations like that.

As far as the Multi-Fit capture plate, I did some rooting around and it seems the newer #3565 plate replaces the older Lippert plates and works with all Lippert pin boxes. Furthermore, it is a relatively straight forward no drill, bolt, or weld installation procedure so it looks like that is the one I'll need. If everything stays on schedule, I should be getting my Superglide installed on Tuesday/Wednesday and drive down and pick up my 5th wheel on the weekend. Too bad its another month and a half before fishing season starts

 

Mine is a manual slider. Easy to operate though.

Since my 5er is new and comes with a more turn friendly front to it. I really don't even have a need to move it to the rear, except in exteme circumstances

 

Yea I've seen the new fifth wheels have nice cut out front end caps that virtually eliminate the need for a slider. Very cool. Unfortunately, I'm still in school and can't afford a new one just yet, bought a used 06

Trailers here in Alaska almost always sell for significantly above NADA book, an Alaska "premium" if you will. I look at the low prices you guys in the lower 48 can pay for a new trailer and it boggles my mind.

 

What attracted me to the reese signature series was the fact that I don't have the in-bed rails. Otherwise I liked the concept of the superslider.

 

I have a superglide and I love it.

As far as the capture plate goes...as long as your measurements are correct you should have the correct plate.

What model of Wildcat do you have? I have a 2005 31qbh. If yours is the same I'm sure I could get measurements and see if they are the same as yours.

I assume you have seen this link, but I'll post it anyway. I would avoid the Universal plate if possible. I can have my capture plate on and off in 30 seconds. Let me know if I can help.

http://www.pullrite.com/pdfs/QCCP_Fit_Chart.pdf

 

I'm using the 16k on our 2003 F-250 and I like the auto extension considering I'm only 5'6" ha:

PullRite has a SAFER, STRONGER, BETTER designed hitch for you

 

I bought a 2006 30LSWB which is the precursor to the 30LSBS (same floorplan, just has a computer desk in lieu of where it was replaced by a fireplace in the LSBS model). I got a deal I just couldn't pass up. In order to take advantage of that, I had to drive out to Nikiski which is ~ 200 miles or so away from me and purchase it ASAP before someone else beat me to it (I was eyeballing a Keystone fiver earlier in the week and put off seeing it for a day and someone bought it from beneath me. Wasn't going to make the same mistake twice!! Only problem was I didn't have a hitch so I had to leave it parked on her lot while I wait for my hitch to arrive (should be here early this week). I find it hard to believe NOBODY here in Alaska has the Superglide in stock considering how many people tow trailers/RV here.

Yes, that is the spec sheet I referenced while measuring. Both myself and the shop doing the hitch are reasonably sure its the Lippert 1621. My installer ordered the specific Quick-Connect plate for the 1621 pin box, and I ordered the Multi-Fit plate myself. It would suck ***** to waste the 3 hour drive down there, have the wrong plate, drive all the way back into town, order the new plate, then drive back. I figure when I drive down there it will be better to have both of them just in case, but I can just return whatever one I don't end up needing. I got absolutely raped on the shipping (UPS shipping for the Multi-Fit plate ALONE was 65 bucks) so that's money I'll lose when returning it, but it would be cheaper than the fuel cost for a 400 mile round trip in the event of a wrong plate.

As for what I'm worried about now:

I was all set to get one of the louvered V style tailgates just for ease of hookup and then I remembered I had the (factory) backup camera. I'm not quite sure what that's going to do when installing a replacement louvered tailgate. I would prefer keeping it so I'm going to try and get hitched up with the tailgate in the down position. If I end up having to have my spotter lift the gate while backing up I'll end up going with a louvered gate.

I'm also concerned about having the necessary clearance over the bed rails in my F250. My truck is bone stock as far as suspension goes, but it sits pretty damn high for a stock truck. The lady I bought it from was towing it with a big *** CTD Ram 2500 which I think would be at a similar height to my truck but I can't say for sure.

And as far as lubrication, I was all ready to order some "Slip Plate" as I've been recommended by others while doing some research, then I read the Pullrite owners manual. It says if your hitch is manufactured after Nov 2009 it has plastic way plates which don't require Slip Plate at all. I'm waiting to see if I get a newer hitch or if I get some new "old stock" hitch with the metal way tubes before ordering some Slip Plate.

I'm looking forward to finally going down and picking it up and seeing how the maiden trip home goes. It will let me know what I need to adjust (e.g. pin box height) before fishing season starts. Once I get her back into town she will be parked until Memorial Day weekend (first salmon fishing weekend for me) and then she will be out every weekend through October (I love fishing for Silvers when the snow is falling in October. Absolutely amazing )

 

When I bought my hitch I also bought the multi-plate. However, the RV dealer carried the Pulrite hitch and he installed the correct capture plate. Otherwise yes a 3 hour drill or weld up job. I took the multi-plate back to Houston for a refund no issues there. Happy camper pun intended! ha.....good luck enjoy your rig!

 

Yea I was initially worried about the need to have a plate welded on there but the Quick-Connect plates look much easier. The lady I bought it from was selling it because she is leaving the state and retiring because her husband passed. I'm not exactly a welder (and I assume neither is she) so I need something I can do myself. I can't wait. Hitch is supposed to be here by Wednesday, installation Thurs or Fri, and then on the weekend I'll go (try) and haul that ******* back home with me. I'm working my way up the RV hierarchy. Started with a pop-up, moved up to a bumper pull travel trailer, now moving up a fiver. I'm just hoping I can avoid some of the horror stories I've read (dropping the hitch, denting the tailgate etc...)

 

Awwww...come on now where's the fun in that... j/k yeah this one is our first and we learned that two adults one grandson and three small dogs is pretty tight in a 28' don't believe the ":sleeps 8" marketing hype....Haa......

So we will camp out more this year and are seriously looking to upgrade to a toy hauler. Take grand kids, leave dogs in the back and will be my contracting home in 27 months..woo-hoo......


Anyway always excited for a camper that is looking to reduce stress by camping out and meeting new and friendly folks.......take care.....

C-man....