Does Ford IBC Work o.k. With Manual Slider Hitch?

[GWBlack]

I have a 2008 F350 shortbed and plan to buy my first 5th wheel this coming Spring. While speaking to the owner of an RV dealership yesterday, he recommended that I avoid getting a manual slider hitch. He said that although the Ford integrated brake controller (IBC) will be compatible with the trailer brakes, it won't work properly with a manual slider hitch. He said this has been a problem ever since the 2005 Ford model year. The reason had something to due with a time delay between when the truck/trailer brake is actuated and when the trailer brake takes effect. Supposedly, when the driver returns to the truck after manually activating the slider hitch lever, he then puts the truck in gear, takes his foot off truck brake pedal and manually activates the trailer brake. However, supposedly there is some time delay after this (5 seconds?) before the trailer brakes will actuate, thus causing the truck/trailer to move a sizeable distance before the trailer brakes lock and the slider hitch moves to the rear position.

After reading many forums for over one year, this is the first I have ever heard of this issue. Has anybody experienced this problem before? I don't want to buy a manual slider hitch and then find out it won't work properly with the Ford IBC.

Thanks!

[hypoxia]

The early 2005's like mine have a similar problem which was fixed on the later 2005's. The trailer brakes didn't actuate when at a complete stop.

Get a Superglide & all of your potential problems will be solved.

[Mark Kovalsky]

That was an issue with the early 2005 IBCs. It was corrected mid year 2005 and hasn't been a problem on any later trucks. Your truck will be fine with that hitch.

[brnscofrnld]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hypoxia</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The early 2005's like mine have a similar problem which was fixed on the later 2005's. The trailer brakes didn't actuate when at a complete stop.

Get a Superglide & all of your potential problems will be solved. </div></div>

I'll second the Superglide. Smokey pointed me in that direction and have not regretted it since.

Pullrite Superglide

A little more expensive then a manual slider, but the thing is amazing. You won't have to worry about clipping the cab with the nose of the 5th wheel.

[newtodieseling]

Can someone explain the need for a manual slider switch? I don't pull a motor home, but do pull a tri-axle equipment trailer and livestock trailers and have never needed to use my manual switch on my Prodigy.

[Cool_Canuck]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Newtodieseling</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can someone explain the need for a manual slider switch? I don't pull a motor home, but do pull a tri-axle equipment trailer and livestock trailers and have never needed to use my manual switch on my Prodigy.</div></div> [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img] They are talking about the hitch itself. A sliding hitch on rails which can be moved fore or aft about 7 inches. Normally used in short boxes to afford clearance between the truck cab and trailer corner in tight turns.

[newtodieseling]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cool_Canuck</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Newtodieseling</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can someone explain the need for a manual slider switch? I don't pull a motor home, but do pull a tri-axle equipment trailer and livestock trailers and have never needed to use my manual switch on my Prodigy.</div></div> [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img] They are talking about the hitch itself. A sliding hitch on rails which can be moved fore or aft about 7 inches. Normally used in short boxes to afford clearance between the truck cab and trailer corner in tight turns.
</div></div>
Thanks, makes a WHOLE lot more sense now! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

[Bigshow]

I have a Superglide and its awesome but expensive. I would not let the brake controller performance steer my hitch decision, as you could just chock the trailer wheels when sliding the hitch. Not saying anything bad about the Pullrite other than $$$!

[MDarrough]

I have never experienced the issue you mentioned with my '08. My manual slider works perfectly. If I was a full time 5er I would definitely get a superglide, but pulling it once a month, the manual unit works great. Actually, if I was pulling full time I would have a long bed.

Mark