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This hitch slides automatically when you turn to give you 14" of clearance for tight turns. A wraparound jaw provides a smooth ride and a locking bar offers added security. Base secures in underbed mounts and removes for full bed access.
Features:
Specs:
Note: This fifth-wheel trailer hitch is not compatible with Sidewinder or Revolution king pins. Do not use any device that changes the pivot point of your trailer's king pin with this hitch.
Most often used on trucks with 6-1/2' beds, a slider helps to eliminate clearance problems during slow-speed turns. When you are towing a fifth-wheel trailer, your hitch must be situated on the cab side of your truck's rear axle. However, at slow speeds you can use a slider to slide the fifth-wheel hitch (and the trailer) toward your truck's tailgate and past the rear axle, creating enough space between the cab of your truck and the trailer to permit less-restricted turning.
Normally, you'd have to get out of your truck and pull a lever to release the slider before every turn, but what if there was an automatic system? Imagine having 14" of extra clearance while towing your fifth-wheel trailer. Now imagine having this without needing get out of the truck to move your slider. The Demco Autoslide makes this fantasy a reality. The Autoslide automatically glides back smoothly when you make a sharp turn so you can maneuver effortlessly around tight corners within campsites and parking lots.
The base of the Autoslide has a built-in rack-and-pinion gear system that operates automatically. As your truck turns, the pinion in the base also turns. This activates the rack gear, which causes the rotational force of the truck to be converted into the linear sliding action of the hitch. So, when your truck makes a sharp, slow-speed turn, the gears inside the Autoslide force the hitch head to slide down toward your truck's tailgate in a smooth, controlled motion. This way, any time that your truck turns more than 10 to 15 degrees, the Autoslide will ensure that there is enough clearance for your trailer to complete the turn as well, and it will do so without any jerking or binding.
In order for the rack-and-pinion assembly to function as designed, the pin box must be stabilized on the hitch head. Normally in a fifth-wheel hitch, the king pin moves inside of the hitch head so that the trailer can turn. With the Autoslide, the king pin remains fixed inside of the jaws of the hitch and it is the hitch head itself that turns. This is thanks to the capture brackets on the sides of the head that brace the pin box from both sides to hold it in place on top of the hitch head. This is done to ensure that there is enough resistance within the hitch when your truck turns to properly activate the rack-and-pinion gear mechanism.
To stabilize your pin box on the hitch head, simply push the capture brackets up against your pin box once the trailer is coupled and tighten the outer bolts and the inner jam nuts. The Autoslide head and brackets will fit standard pin boxes that are between 12" and 14" wide. If you have a Glide Ride, Mor Ryde, Trailair Tri Glide, or 5th Airborne pin box, you must install a special locking plate (sold separately) as well.
When you straighten your rig out again and your trailer moves back in line, the hitch head will rotate back to center and slide back toward the cab into the straight towing position.
The single-piece, strong wraparound jaw completely surrounds your trailer's king pin for 360 degrees of contact. This wraparound jaw provides a more secure connection than standard 2-piece jaws that close in on the king pin from the sides. The increased jaw-to-king-pin contact on the Autoslide offers tighter tolerances around the king pin, which minimizes both rattle and chucking, for a smooth, quiet ride.
A 3/4" solid steel locking bar spans the area in front of the jaw. This bar provides an added barrier of protection against accidental disconnection so you can have peace of mind that your trailer is secure. The locking bar is attached to the jaw and to the spring-loaded handle. The bar automatically locks when the jaw closes around your king pin.
The double pivoting, cushioned head improves your towing experience dramatically by helping to reduce jarring and unwanted noise. Built-in pins allow the hitch head to pivot back and forth and side to side. And hooking up is easy because the hitch head will automatically pivot to the proper angle when it comes into contact with your pin box.
Three polyurethane dampeners help to cushion the movement from the pivoting head and to reduce towing noise. Two of these dampeners are built into the head assembly to cushion the head's side-to-side pivoting. The third dampener cushions the back-and-forth motion and must be installed in the hitch prior to use. Installation of this third dampener is easy - simply press the dampener up into the pre-drilled hole underneath the hitch head.
Easy Installation
The Autoslide hitch is specially designed to fit in the underbed rails of your Ford Super Duty factory fifth-wheel towing prep package. The hitch comes pre-assembled for an easy installation. All you have to do is bolt on the side plates and attach the head to the hitch base.
The side plates have 2 functions. They contain the feet that fit into your OEM tow package receivers, and they allow you to raise or lower the hitch head to better match your pin box height. After you choose your desired height setting, simply bolt the side plates to the hitch base with the included hardware. Then lower the hitch into the 4 puck receivers in your truck bed. Turn the handles to lock the feet into the pucks and secure the handles with the included safety pins. The hitch can be removed to give you full truck bed access. Simply remove the safety pins, turn the handles to unlock the feet, and lift the hitch out of the receivers.
Clearance Formula for Short Bed Trucks
Use the formula below to ensure there will be enough space between your truck cab and trailer when executing a 90-degree turn.
(A+B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from the center of fifth-wheel hitch jaw to truck cab
B = Length of Travel (14")
C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half)
For example: If the distance from the center of the hitch to the cab is 36", 36" + 22" = 58". If your fifth-wheel trailer is 102" wide, take half (51"), then plug in: 58" - 51" = 7" of clearance.
Note: At least 4 inches of clearance is recommended to safely execute a 90-degree turn.
Alternate Instructions
Average Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (584 Customer Reviews)
This hitch slides automatically when you turn to give you 14" of clearance for tight turns. A wraparound jaw provides a smooth ride and a locking bar offers added security. Base secures in underbed mounts and removes for full bed access.Well the Demco 5th wheel hitch is great! Great product, well built, great value! but, the delivery was terrible. I ordered the hitch on 8/10 and it didn't ship until 8/18! I was promised a delivery date of 8/17, but no one at e-trailer could find the hitch and did not get any answers from the shipping company. After many phone calls, they finally located the hitch with the shipping company, Estes, and the hitch was delivered on 8/22. I would use e-trailer again, but they need better control over the shipping.
The only problem was it. It did not line up with puck mount on the width I had to loosen side mounting to drop into place. It have been about 1/2 in narrower to fit properly. I do not plan on taking it out or it would have to have had replacements modified side mountings. It does not pay to return because of time.
Awesome service! My new fifth wheel hitch arrived on-time and in perfect condition.
Dropped right in as intended.
Well built fifth wheel hitch. Haven't got a chance to tow our new Montana High Country 295RL. But I know a guy that has towed his fifth wheel with this same hitch. I'm sure this 18K hitch will be excellent! Or I wouldn't have bought it. I recommend e trailer for everything.
Demco auto slide hitch works very well with my crew cab short bed Ram. Fits under my tonneau cover nicely. Trouble free thus far. Had to purchase a Demco plate for the camper to make the Rhino box hitch work. etrailer personnel were great in helping ensure I had the right products and kept me well informed of shipping dates.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT. I purchased 2 different 5th Wheel Hitches before I purchased this one. After hitting the cab of the truck, I wanted to get a slider. I did my research for several months and just kept coming back to the Demco. This hitch automatically makes the adjustment when I need it, even when I don't realize I need the extra room. I never have to get out of the truck to release the hitch to slide back. I put the hitch together with no problems, of course it came about put together anyway, and the Instructions were good. the locking down ont he truck seems to be easier than other I had. The only regret I have is that I didn't buy this one sooner.
Very happy with my Demco Autoslide hitch after one year. We pull a Montana 3120 35 ft 5th wheel with a 2019 Ford F-350 short bed. Took a month long 6,000 mile trip from Colorado to New England/Canada this Summer. Lots of hilly/curvy roads and some remote campgrounds with tight corners and some near 80 degree back ins. Never came close to trailer contacting the truck. I’ve had no jerking or other issues when turning or stoping/starting. Works great. The only drawback is there isn’t much room for error when you back up to hook up the trailer, so it takes a little practice to get used to correctly lining up your Demco Hitch to the trailer. The first couple of trips, it took me 3 or 4 attempts to properly line it up. No longer an issue for me after a few trips and you get used to the angles. It weighs about 300 pounds. I got a small chain hoist which I installed in my garage rafters and easily lift the hitch in and out of my truck and just let it hang front he rafters until I need to use it.
Item works exactly as described. I have a shortbed (6.5') Ford F350. Probably towed our 5th wheeler 5000+ miles with no problem. Then last year it happened! We were making a sharp turn in an uneven lot and POW, the 5vr hit the rear window and it exploded. After that I became gun shy about turning with the 5vr attached so I started looking at sliding hitches. A slider that you had to get out and unlatch to make work, didn't make sense to me. At what point do you get out? So, an auto slider hitch was purchased. Now when I get to a certain degree turn the auto-slide hitch moves back in its carriage and then auto-slides to the normal location once straightened out. Not gun shy anymore.
Pro:
Well packaged
Well made
Easy install
It WORKS.
Cons:
Price
Very heavy
Some clunking after it straightens out from a turn
The Demco Auto slide takes the worry out of towing my fifth wheel trailer with a short bed F-350. I have had no problems with backing into tight camping spots. And since everything is automatic I have one less thing to worry about while traveling with a fifth wheel.
The only problem is that it is a little on the heavy side, so I just leave it in the truck when not towing. Problem solved.
I am extremely happy with the product.
Solid hitch and fits as expected. Only 4 stars due to the limited hitch up angles. You really have to be within about 5 degrees of straight with the hitch in order for the system to function. Did not have this much of a problem with my other auto slide hitches, but this is the only one I could find with the weight rating I needed for my combo.
This review is for the Demco Autoslide 21k and accompanying OEM rail adaptor I purchased for a 2020 Ram 3500 Megacab DRW. I've owned it one year. Overall, the hitch performs as I expected. It is high quality, very sturdy and seems like it will last for a long time. I had it installed at the dealer when I purchased the truck. It automatically slides to protect the cab in my 6'4" bed without any incidents. I tow a standard fifth wheel RV. There are a few negatives, which are not necessarily shortcoming of the product but, instead, necessary evils to allow me to have a short bed. First, it is BIG and BULKY. I believe this is just a function of the mechanism required to allow the autosliding feature and I am not really sure there are any other lighter alternatives with this feature. The fact it requires two parts (OEM Puck Rail and hitch), make it even more bulky. It takes up almost the entire bed and prevents most auxillary tank / tool box combos from fitting. Even standard size storage bins will not fit in my bed. I would prefer if they had a custom OEM all-in-one hitch for my truck like they do for the Ford. It adds significant weight, which decreases carrying capacity, which can be at a premium in hauling a heavy fifth wheel. I've never even tried to take it out of the bed due to the weight and difficulty. I also am not very happy with the adjustable catch plate design. It requires significant manipulation loosening and tightening 8 nuts when hitching and unhitching. This requires a step ladder to reach the nuts. I also found out after the fact that it does not come with the right size catch plate attachments for my hitch and I had to purchase a separate part, which added unexpected expense and delayed my taking the RV on its first trip. Overall, I am satisfied with the hitch.
This was the best solution for my Dodge RAM 2500 towing my Alliance 340RL 38' 5th Wheel. My son helped me install the rails under the bed and now it is very easy to remove the hitch when I am not using it. It is very strong and I highly recommend this for anyone with a short bed truck.
My wife and I are full-time RVers, and have used this slider hitch from the get-go while traveling around seeing the country over the past year. We are happy with our purchase, which has proven to be both easy to hook up, adjust, and functions well, as advertised.
The only matter I think you may want to address are the thick plastic removable maintenance access covers which tend to bow, and the areas around the attachment holes have melted, in the hot weather. Perhaps instead using a light metal for the covers would be better solution.
We are very happy overall with this hitch, and plan to keep it . Thank you.
I have a 2017 Ford F-250 (Crew Cab, short box), and a 40’ 14,000lb 5th wheel. I’ve owned this Demco Autoslide for 1 year, and I absolutely love it. I purchased a 5th wheel for the maneuverability, but my expectations were blown away with this Autoslide. I also have the Extang Xceed hard tonneau cover, and when folded up (laying flat on the panel closest to the cab) I can maneuver however I want without removing the tonneau. If im going to make a really sharp turn on uneven ground I’ll stop and flip my tonneau all the way up, but very rarely do I have to do that. Also removal & install of this hitch is about as easy as removing & installing a 5th wheel hitch can possibly be. I use a rope, pulley, & my side by side. Highly recommend this Demco hitch.
I INSTALLED THE DEMCO HIJACKER AUTOSLIDE FITH WHEEL HITCH IN MY 17 F250 WITH THE FACTORY PREP PACKAGE. THE HITCH FIT PERFECTLY INTO THE FACTORY PUCK SYSTEM. DID NEED A FRIENDS HELP DO TO THE WEIGHT OF THE UNIT. I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE OPERTION OF THE AUTOSLIDE AND THE FACT THAT I DON'T REALLY HAVE TO WORRY TO MUCH ABOUT THE TRAILER CONTACTING THE CAB OF TRUCK SINCE I HAVE A 6 FOOT BED. THIS IS THE FIRST FIFTH WHEEL HITCH I HAVE EVER USED BUT WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE THAT HAS A TRUCK WITH A SHORT BED. ONLY 4 STARS BECAUSE OF THE LEARNING CURVE OF HITCHING UP AND THE THING IS PRETTY HEAVY. ONCE I LEARNED THAT THE HITCH AND THE TRUCK HAVE TO BE PRETTY STRAIGHT IN LINE DUE TO THE CAPTURE PLATES HITCHING UP HAS BECOME A NONE ISSUE. I DID PURCHASE AN ENGINE HOIST SO THAT I CAN REMOVE THE HITCH FROM THE BED OF MY TRUCK BY MYSELF IF I NEED TO, BUT FOR THE MOST PART IT JUST STAYS MOUNTED. I ALSO LOVE THE FACT THAT IT HAS A HIGHT ADJUSTMENT WHICH ALLOWED IT TO STILL FIT UNDER MY BEDS TONNEAU. OVERALL VERY SATISFIELD WITH PURCHASE
Very high quality product. Used on a extended cab short bed F250 and the sliding mechanism provides plenty of clearance between the Fifth Wheel front and the truck's cab. Fits Ford's factory fifth wheel bed mount holes perfectly. Used to tow a 42' fifth wheel regularly. Foot print is small enough to allow me to retain my tool box in the truck during towing.
The hitch is heavy! Do not plan to try to install with one person with out an engine hoist or gantry crane. Two strong people can, but extreme caution should be taken as the hitch weighs nearly 300lbs and is awkward.
I have owned this unit for over a year now. Here are the pro's and cons that I have experienced.
Pro- I have pulled with this hitch in some really tight spaces in forward and reverse and still have the rear window in tact.
Con- Heavy, really heavy.
Pro- heavy duty,smooth riding, and double jaw lock makes a great connection.
Con- manufacturer recommends 1/8 of separation between the slides on the top of hitch. When backing upon 40' wheeler in some tight spaces it is hard to align without opening the slides a bit more. This is not he issue. Remembering to tighten them in the rush of leaving is the hard part.
Pro- once you are attached to your truck there is nothing more you need to worry about until you disconnect.
Con- If you are a weekender like me and use your truck for work the rest of the week, you will need at least one person to help lift in or out pre or post travel. Works pretty well with gantry crane.
This hitch has been used daily since i purchased it. I deliver fifth wheel travel trailers all over the country. This hitch has worked flawlessly from day one. This hitch is one of the only products that I've ever bought that is exactly what it was described to be. Im not one to do reviews, so the fact that im doing this one , in itself, says a lot about the quality of your product. The design and looks are much better than any other hitch ive seen. It just looks better in the truck bed than others do.
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Jenny N.
11/2/2023
I reached out to to Demco who advised that they have run into an one eighth variance here and there. Also they gave a tip of loosening the pucks under the bed, fit the hitch in, and then tighten up the pucks under the bed.