Recommended Fifth Wheel Hitch And Installation Kit For 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Short Bed

Question:

I purchased a camper a fifth wheele hitch came with it .part number30031 my truck is a 2014 2500 hd ltz short bed I have bed rails that I wont take off. the hitch does not have a slider or nothing as for parts. I need to know what to purchase inoder to get fifth wheel above bed rails and what slider and all hardware to bolt it in. please help.allso was told it was a 20k hitch but I think I was lied to. tell me every thing I need to order to make it complete and perfect money is no option

asked by: Robert B

Helpful Expert Reply:

We have a few options that may work for your 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. Since you said you have a short bed you will need a slider hitch at the least, and you said you have bed rails that you do not wish to take off. This would then require a hitch that has more height so you have clearance for the rails.

I was not able to find the number 30031 you asked about. You would need to verify the hitch and what its capabilities were to safely use it for your camper. I will make some recommendations that include the hitch and installation kit as well.

The hitch I recommend is the Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R20 Slider, part # C16541. This is a 20,000 lb slider hitch that features a 2-jaw locking system that provides a 360 contact jaw to king pin, which means less rattle. This hitch also has a 12 inch travel front to back and features a 4 inch height adjustment, from 17-1/2 to 21-1/2 inches.

If you need a heavier-duty hitch I recommend part # C16546. This hitch is the same as the C16541 but has a 24,000 lb weight capacity.

For above bed rails I recommend the Curt Fifth Wheel Custom Installation Kit, part # C16411-204. This kit cuts the installation time in half versus the universal installation kits. These rails are compatible with Curt, Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch, Reese, Valley and Husky 5th wheel hitches.

I have attached a helpful article that explains fifth wheel hitch and installation tips you can check out.

If you do not have a wiring harness in the bed of your truck I recommend the Pollak Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring, part # PK11893-11932. This lets you retain the use of your 7-way connector at the rear of your 3500 while providing a 7-way harness in the bed of the truck for your fifth wheel camper. I have attached a product review video for this harness you can take a look at.

When working with electrical connectors I recommend using dielectric grease like part # 11755. This keeps dirt and moisture out of the electrical connections and helps prevent corrosion.