5th Wheel Installation Kit for a 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 Short Bed and Reese 15K Hitch

Question:

Will this work for a 15k Rees fith wheel on a slider 2011 chevy Silverado 1500 short bed

asked by: David M

Expert Reply:

Reese installation brackets # RP50081 are not a fit for your 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 short bed. For your truck you would need installation kit # RP56007-53. The outboard brackets require the longer rails. Your Reese hitch will fit this kit.

If your truck bed is a 5-1/2 foot bed then you will not want to use a slider hitch. The issue is that the slider will not be able to slide back enough for you to make tight turns without hitting the truck and trailer together.

Also, due to the length of the bed you would have to remove the tailgate if you wanted to slide it back. The solution for 5-1/2 foot beds is to use a stationary hitch (or, if you already have a slider, always leave it in the tow position) and a Sidewinder replacement pin box on the trailer. I have included a link to a help article on Sidewinders for you to view.

expert reply by: Michael H