New 5th wheel hitch?

[Leon]

Looking at buying a 5th wheel hitch for my 2023 gmc 2500hd AT4 Crewcab with a standard box that measures 6 ft 10” long .The truck bed has slot holes in truck bed to accommodate the hitch
The GM dealer has CURT a30 system for a good price told me should work well for truck rated for 30k which is overkill that’s ok as long as not under rated.
A Rv dealer I checked out they tell me I need a slider hitch because it’s not an 8 ft box and I have to get out crank it when am moving to tight spots like camp sites parking ..wow getting expensive .Then he says for quite a bit more cash I can an automatic sliding hitch.
So I checked with Action truck accessories they say I only need a slider hitch for shot box trucks,usually half ton trucks .So they gave a price on a hitch non sliding which was around the same as the GM dealer.So again I tried another RV dealer they gave me a hefty price on an slider hitch .As a precaution I should use a slider hitch but I still can get standard non sliding high cheaper but would have to carefull .Maybe I ask someone who pulls a fith wheel similar circumstances 🫢

[firestorm_actual]

I have an F350 short box and used a Companion sliding hitch. Haven't once used it in the rearward position for maneuvering. Probably has a lot to do with the profile of the 5th wheel but I could get pretty close to 90 degrees without contacting the cab.


The Companion slider is HEAVY. I now have a Curt A20 non-slider and have no regrets.

[Cincinnati Kid]

You didn't mention what model 5th wheel you have, but if it's an HT, it comes with a rotating pinbox which does the same job as a sliding hitch.

[Leon]

Thanks for that information interesting ,your F350 short box how long is the box bed length ? I suppose it had slots in the truck bed to accommodate the hitch as well.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by Leon

Thanks for that information interesting ,your F350 short box how long is the box bed length ? I suppose it had slots in the truck bed to accommodate the hitch as well.

It's 6' 8" I think. But with the rotating pinbox there is plenty of clearance to turn as sharp as I need to. It will easily go 90º.

Yes, the truck has the puck system, and when you order the hitch, make sure you get the one that matches your truck. Chevy, Ram and Ford have different puck measurements.

[Leon]

I haven’t purchased a hitch yet but the one from GM dealer is made by Curt manufacture A30 system 30k
And another Curt from Action was Curt 16027 ADI,with a 16140 hitch All priced about the same Non slider.
From another RV dealer they was a BW Companion slider hitch manual slider adjusting it was 1000$ more .
From another Rv dealer I got
The B&W RVK3775 manual sliding 20k hitch would be priced at $3125 + HST installed. The Pullrite 4500 24k Superglide hitch would be priced at $4180 + HST installed. The OEM Canadian prices .The super glide is a automatic sliding hitch

[TxLoser]

I’ve got the same bed in my ‘22 truck with the factory mounting system. If the FW is newer, like 2017 or newer(may even go back further), you don’t need a sliding hitch with a 2020+ GM HD standard bed.

The GM mounting system is already 3-4” aft of the rear axle. I use a B&W Patriot which is not a slider. During assembly you can set it in one of two positions, both of which are a little more rearward of that. With mine in the most rearward position I can get 90 degrees out of it. If not a B&W it’ll still be behind the rear axle and you’ll have good clearance. I’d highly recommend a B&W though if you go with a conventional FW hitch. I’ve had another brand as well(Curt), and there’s no comparison.

Non slider = Less weight to move around, and also with fewer points of movement it makes for a very solid connection and nice towing experience. Older combos and some other trucks do need a slider, but with GM I think you’re good without.

[tomsr12962]

I have a 2021 319MLOK and want to add Sumo Springs. The Sumo Springs bracket will fit a 4.5" top U-bolt plate. It appears the 319MLOK is manufactured with a universal top plate. It has 8 U-bolt holes (only 4 are used) and extends outward of the spring by 1.5". Can I cut 1.5" off the width of the top plate without sacrificing the integrity?

[JB13502]

Originally Posted by Leon

The GM dealer has CURT a30 system for a good price

My truck is a long bed so I can't comment on that. I can comment on the Curt A30. I went from a Reese (probably an economy model, the dealer threw it in when I bought my Eagle) to the Curt when I bought my North Point.

I didn't know what a garbage hitch was until I got the Curt. I am more than satisfied. The difference in pulling experience was like night and day. I don't think that you'll go wrong with the A30.

I can say that I've spoken to a number of people who have felt that they wasted their money on a slider-hitch. YMMV.

[Camp CA]

Had a F250 short bed for many years with a Reese non slider hitch without an issue and eventually a Pullrite Superglide slider hitch. If you are risk adverse, suggest a slider hitch. Be sure they are compatible with your puck system.

[TxLoser]

Here’s a bed photo of my GM with B&W. You can see where the hitch is mounted relative to the rear axle.

[JB13502]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

Here’s a bed photo of my GM with B&W. You can see where the hitch is mounted relative to the rear axle.

Attachment 87034

I wish my bed was that clean! Mine hasn't looked like that since day 2.

[TxLoser]

Give it time. I find a way to scuff it up and maybe some good stains too.

[firestorm_actual]

Something to consider is sliding hitches sit quite a bit higher than their non-sliding counterparts. I like the Curt A20 for a lot of reasons including it allows my 5th to sit more level while maintaining proper bed rail clearance.

[billcf7]

The nose profile of the 5th wheel makes a huge difference when approaching the cab of your truck no matter if you have a Ford, GM or Ram short bed truck

[TxLoser]

Originally Posted by billcf7

The nose profile of the 5th wheel makes a huge difference when approaching the cab of your truck no matter if you have a Ford, GM or Ram short bed truck

Very true. Good point. My reference is with an Eagle. I think it and the HT’s are the same. Not sure about the nicer NP’s, Pinnacle or Toy Haulers. I do think GM and Ford have the longer standard beds vs Ram, but that’s immaterial if the front cap doesn’t have a favorable profile.

I’d imagine pin box comes into play as well. My MORyde seems like it’s extended out a good amount. However, my HT had a standard pin box and it worked as well, so maybe there’s some standard length there. At least within the Jayco line up.

[citgodan]

I have a 2018 F350 short bed with a Curt Q16 (non-slider) and can do full U-turns and never had an issue. This has all been done on pretty level ground though.

Agree with the post above me and the favorable profiles on the Fivers

[TWP723]

B&W Companion

[Ringneks]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

I’ve got the same bed in my ‘22 truck with the factory mounting system. If the FW is newer, like 2017 or newer(may even go back further), you don’t need a sliding hitch with a 2020+ GM HD standard bed.

The GM mounting system is already 3-4” aft of the rear axle. I use a B&W Patriot which is not a slider. During assembly you can set it in one of two positions, both of which are a little more rearward of that. With mine in the most rearward position I can get 90 degrees out of it. If not a B&W it’ll still be behind the rear axle and you’ll have good clearance. I’d highly recommend a B&W though if you go with a conventional FW hitch. I’ve had another brand as well(Curt), and there’s no comparison.

Non slider = Less weight to move around, and also with fewer points of movement it makes for a very solid connection and nice towing experience. Older combos and some other trucks do need a slider, but with GM I think you’re good without.

I agree.

[CAG]

This is an oft covered topic but I will tell you that I had two Chevy 2500 Duramax shortbed and used this basic hitch. I would never go back to the old clunky, heavy, can't get it out of the bed with one person, rob the use of your entire bed hitches. I never used or needed a slider (waste of money) with this hitch.

If you want to lose the use of your truck bed when not hauling go for those being suggested otherwise look at these.



Again there is a wealth of info here on this topic (and many others) using the search feature.


https://www.amazon.com/Andersen-3220...96049470&psc=1