This hitch slides automatically as you drive to give you 14" of additional clearance for tight turns. A wraparound jaw provides a smooth ride and a locking bar offers added security. Pivoting head allows easy hook up and helps to limit chucking.
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, Rota Flex, Lippert Road Armor, 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
Included with the Autoslide hitch is a rail adapter that's specific to the Ram factory prep package. Just drop the adapter into the puck receivers built into your truck bed and lock them in place. Then you can position the pre-assembled hitch base in your bed and easily pin it to the rails. Just bolt on the side plates and attach the head to the hitch base, and you'll be ready to tow.
The side plates have 2 functions. They contain the feet that fit into the rails, 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 attach the base to the rails with the included safety pins.
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
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Jeff: Hello everybody, this is Jeff at etrailer.com. Today I'm going to take a look at this Demco fifth-wheel rail adaptor for the Ram OEM fifth-wheel towing prep package, and this has a 25,000 pound weight capacity. Now this is a custom fit part, it is designed to fit the 2013 and newer Dodge Ram and Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks that have the OEM fifth-wheel towing prep package. Basically, this adapter's perfect if you want to use your standard fifth-wheel trailer hitch that'll mount to above-bed rails with the Ram's trucks factory installed under-bed fifth-wheel mounting kit. This will convert that factory installed under-bed kit from your Ram to the standard above-bed fifth-wheel base rails. You can see right here, these are the rails that your fifth-wheel tabs will drop into.I wanted to show you how this mounts to your factory system, I'm going to zoom in on one of the corners.
You'll do this on all four corners. But basically you'll have this handle here, and you have this safety pin, so you'll pull out the safety pin just like that, and then you'll rotate this handle all the way 90 degrees. When you do that, these tabs on the bottom here will line up with each other, and that'll allow you to remove it are inserted into the factory system. You just drop it into the pucks, and then to lock it into place, all you do is rotate this back 90 degrees until the hole lines up, and you'll notice it locks it into the tabs. And then you just take your safety pin for safety, push it in and it'll hold it into place, so there's no drilling or welding required with this.
And again, this is on one corner, you'll do this on all four corners. Just zoom back out and you can see you'll do it on all four corners.What you also want to remember is that the Ram trucks use different size tabs and sockets on the front and the rear of the vehicle, so you want to make sure when you install this, that you install it correctly. Basically they even have an arrow here that shows you pointing this way, meaning towards the cab. So up here is the smaller tabs, that's always on the cab side or the front of the Ram, and on the very back by the tailgate is the larger rear tabs. And to even help you with it, besides this arrow here, if you look at the front ones, the bolts are silver-colored, or the tabs also underneath.
And if you look at the rear ones which are larger, they put a yellow zinc finish on them, so that will even help you determine which is front and which is rear.The adapter itself is a nice rust-resistant black powder coat steel construction. It is made in the USA. Again, the application is for 2013 and newer Ram trucks that have that OEM under-bed towing prep package. Maximum capacity, which is stamped on it right here is 25,000 pounds. Just to let you know, when you do install this, this adapter will add about 1 3/8" height to your fifth-wheel hitch.
But that should do it for the review on this Demco fifth-wheel rail adapter for the Ram OEM fifth-wheel towing prep package, and this has a 25,000 pound weight capacity..
Has to do a little assembly, really easy. Tows super nice, when turning does move towards the back. You’ll need to adjust the guides for the fifth wheel.
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.
Installation was straight forward operates very smooth and quiet installed overhead winch as seen in photo to make install easy also to remove very impressed with the craftsmanship of hitch.
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 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.
Installed in my 2014 Silverado. This looks to be a very heavy-duty hitch that doesn't require a capture plate.
wow what a great hitch . Got the no drill bed rails and the bolted rite up to my B&W gooseneck hitch . Ashley E did a great job answering all my questions . Only took a few days to get here too. Took me about 2 hours to install everything and if you have a short bed truck this is the only way to go .
Excellent choice for a short bed Super Duty . Have towed several thousand miles with no issues. This is a heavy hitch , but that is what you get with a heavy duty Demco hitch . Plenty of room between trailer and truck when doing tight turns.
I love this hitch. Never having used an automatic slider and moving from a long bed to a short bed truck it took me a few attempts to get accustomed to backing up.
I would recommend this slider over any other brand. No capture plate needed either.
Tows great. I’m a first time fifth wheel owner. This made it easy. Be careful because this hitch is capable of angle that your trailer axles aren’t especially on a hard surface like asphalt or concrete. Over all very pleased. Be prepared to hoist this hitch in and out of your truck if you plan on removing it often. Probably weights closed to 400-500 lbs.
Unit is heavy and well built. Install was easy, just bolt on side plates on, drop the base on the adapter plate and pin it, put head assembly on and pin that, that's all there is to it. Looking forward to many years of towing with this unit.
Demco fifth wheel hitch purchase and installation pictures.
Demco 18k Highjacker Autoslide
Easy installation.
We absolutely love our Demco Hijacker auto-slider hitch. We have a 6.5 ft bed, and a rather large 5th-wheel. I never have to give a single thought to unlocking the hitch and re-locking it before / after maneuvering. Everyone who sees it in action has that "jaw drop" reaction to it. Hooking up is very easy, and the engagement is VERY positive - you cannot miss getting it locked in place. Under tow, it is much more quiet than the previous one we used (loaner), and there is zero "lurching" or "chucking" as we experienced with the previous unit.
My only (minor) complaint is that I wish it wasn't quite so heavy, but it IS built like a tank. I probably could have gone with a lighter-duty unit for my specific 5th-wheel, but didn't want to have to replace the hitch if I ever upgraded to a heavier unit.
As for etrailer: everything I've purchased from them has shipped quickly, arrived (undamaged) on time, and has been of excellent quality. Thanks!
Excellent product easy to install fit perfect and easy to hitch up well built exceeded my expectations.
Quality is good. Installation was tricky without a lift. Some of the bed rail bolt holes (passenger side rear rail) where nearly impossible for a large hand to fit the nut on the bolt. Actually had to have my wife crawl under the truck and slide her hand in the brace to install the nut. Getting a decent size torque wrench into the space was also imposible. The front drivers side rail bracket required removing several vehicle lines and wires which was easy however the bracket covered the holes where the wires attached to the frame, so now they are hanging zip tied together. Hitch/ fifth wheel looks good quality but very heavy. Installed a 400 .lb capacity electric winch from harbor freight to lift the hitch. Firestone airbag helper springs was easy install but getting the exact straight cut on the hose end that hooks to the fill port was challenging to keep it from leaking
Videos were very helpful
Very well built and engineered. Great customer Sevice from etrailer and demco. If you plan to remove the fifth wheel from the truck demco makes a lifting pin. A gantry Crain is helpful too. This thing is heavy duty, good for a lifetime! I also purchased the rail adapter. Thumbs up for that also. Be aware that this setup is tall. My 2018 fwd Ram has a tall bed height combined with the fifth wheel height could make a lower trailer pin height a problem with tailgate clearance and trailer angle. I’m very happy with this setup.
This hitch combined with the puck system makes it easy to hitch up my 5th wheel and tow it worry free. When done towing I simply remove the hitch and have the whole bed available to use. The auto slide works effortlessly to make maneuvering the trailer easy. Very excellent product at a fair price.
I would not buy this hitch again because --
1. It takes up to much space in the truck bed
2. It is over built thus weighs to much
3. It is very hard to hook up because the hitch swivels when unhooking, thus making the hooking up very difficult lining up on an angle.
4. With this hitch I cannot lock out the swivel feature. My old hitch I could lock it out
I would buy from E Trailer again there sales people are great and delivered time was great. The hitch choice was my mistake not E Trailer's
This was a huge improvement over my last hitch. This hitch took away the most of the jerking and bouncing I had before. Easy to install though pretty heavy. It also took away the fear of hitting my cab with the trailer every time I had to make a sharp turn and knocking out my back window again. Those of you that have the aluminum body Fords, beware, the cab won't take much abuse as the older steel body did.
Got my hitch installed today. Looks great but won't use it until next month. I'm really looking forward to towing with the auto slide hitch.
Haven't used yet but appears well built. Purchased with bed rails and capture plates. Packaging from etrailer was on a pallet and none of the 4 boxes had a blemish. Wish other companies would have this attention to detail.
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