5th wheel hitches

[mohok1]

I have a 2500 HD Chevy Silverado Short Bed and am interested in a 27.5 RLTS. My question concerns recommendations for what type Hitch I will need?

[Lake Huron]

Definitely a slider.
My vote is the B&W Companion Slider.
I installed my own B&W Companion (non slider) in my truck and installed 3 B&W sliders in friends trucks and they all love them. Solid built hitch, no issues coupling, or uncoupling, or with the slide.

[mohok1]

Lake Huron, thanks for quick response. Another question, with that particular hitch will I need rails or are they included?

Thanks

Mohok1

[Sk734]

I have a 2014 Silverado 2500hd. I put together and installed a B&W Companion(no slider) hitch. It is adjustable up to 4" back which is where I set mine. Excellent hitch. Rails are separate. I had a company install those for me. Good luck.

[Lake Huron]

No, B&W Companion hitches are not a rail system hitch. You'll need a B&W Turnover. The Turnover is an underbed, frame mounted set up that will have a round hole in the center of the bed for a gooseneck ball or the gooseneck style post that'll lock in there and the Companion mounts to it. The Companion is a bit heavy, but comes out in 2 pieces. The head comes off with the side lifting levers and them unbolt the base from the post and the base will lift out via the hand holes in the side of the base. You pull the lever in the rear wheel well and that unlocks the post and it pops right out leaving you with a flat bed again. The hole in the center of the bed is mostly covered up by Turnover mount underneath, ut if you wa t it covered more you can drop the gooseneck ball in there upside down, hence "Turnover", and that covers it. B&W also has a plastic cover that'll fit in there also.

[RedHorse1]

Another vote for B&W, my B&W uses my factory mount pucks and I find it very convenient. I believe B&W offers an after-market puck kit or as Lake suggests use their Turnover system. My hitch has been trouble free for 6 years and gives a very smooth tow experience. They also offer a slider that uses the puck mounts, not sure about the Turnover mount.

[Sk734]

Originally Posted by Sk734

I have a 2014 Silverado 2500hd. I put together and installed a B&W Companion(no slider) hitch. It is adjustable up to 4" back which is where I set mine. Excellent hitch. Rails are separate. I had a company install those for me. Good luck.

Please note mine is a B&W Patriot hitch. Sorry for the error. My previous one was a Companion.

[Textman]

Originally Posted by Sk734

Please note mine is a B&W Patriot hitch. Sorry for the error. My previous one was a Companion.

Hey SK734, I'm looking at the Patriot as a replacement. My question I have is for short people like myself... Is the pin to lock the lever arm hard to reach? Looking at videos, I'm not sure I can reach it without having something to give me some lift... LOL

[Sk734]

I can reach it but I have long arms. I always carry a small step stool in the bed if I need it. Also I have a SRW truck. Hope this helps. It is an excellent hitch.

[RedHorse1]

I have a folding stool that helps me reach the handle. I can reach the handle from the ground but can’t quite do the break-away lanyard.

[Lake Huron]

I'm 6'4" and have a dually. I just barely got long enough arms to reach the handle and swing it. If I have to reach in the box a ways I'll stand on the top of the rear tire and lean in.

[ShotgunZ71]

Change the hitch on the 5th wheel to a Reese GooseBox. Then, all you need in the bed is a ball and chain anchors.

[Textman]

Thank you all for your replies.

[Puddle Pirate]

I have a Demco auto slide, love it----- trailer tracts extremely well in the turns--Built like the over the road trucks- 5th wheels--

[LUVNFUN]

I put a B & W Companion fifth wheel hitch in my Sierra 2500, standard box, 6' 9" and factory puck system. I considered an auto slider. Instead went with a Reese 20k sidewinder on a 31RTLS. This is a new setup for me. Sliders have a lot of moving parts. After researching both auto and manual sliders and the sidewinder, was personally more comfortable with the sidewinder. Good luck with your decision.

[hwy93]

We have a Reese manual slider that rocks about 5 degrees left or right to let the F/W float a bit. Works great. It is an older hitch and I haven't checked to see if they still sell them or not. Just input. On the F/W ask or check into an extended pin box that will give you more room also.

[Rick Finke]

We have been using a Anderson Hitch for weight saving (34#) but just installed a Demco Auto Slider for some long distance traveling but it weighs 265#s. A short bed truck will kiss that cab if not really careful. The auto slider moves the pin back 14" automatically and returns to center when the rig is straight again. As for Rails or under bed mount, that depends, does your truck have the "puck System"? if not then you will need rails or spend the money to install gooseneck puck system. For a Ford that is about a $4000.00 deal, bed has to come off to instal etc. Rails work okay unless you need a flat floor.
I picked the Demco over the pullrite because of reviews and you tube videos etc. It weighs a few pounds less and offers height adjustability.
Good luck

[Oscar]

I have a 16,000 lb Demco slider in my 2020 GMC 2500HD. Pulling a 20 32RTLS. Absolutely no problems. Didn’t have pucks so had to buy the rails to install. I have $3300 in the whole thing installed by tech at a small RV place. Really like it, tracks great. Turns with no problem or worries of hitting the cab.

[bgelyhome]

I have been using the Pullrite Superglide hitches for 10 years in my GMC Shortbed trucks. Would not consider any other type of slider. No manual stuff, all automatic.

[Evoman55]

We have and love the Anderson Ultimate 5th wheel hitch. I highly recommend it. Watch the YouTube videos about it. And it only weighs 35lbs.