Best Way to Tow a Fifth Wheel Trailer with a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 with 5-1/2 foot Bed
Question:
I may have to just deal with this. I have a 15 Sierra with a 58inch box. I chose this truck because its set up basically as a heavy half for those that remember them. Enough pulling power with a 6.2l with 8 speed tranny. My dilemma is Ive had a BandW gooseneck receiver installed and a straight gooseneck adapter added to the 5th wheel. The clearance over the bed rail is great but it has a short turning radius. The pin box extension is an TrailAir that measures out a 32. According to the info on the AM3139 it will not work in this application. Do you have any other recommendations? Thank you in advance for your response.
asked by: DJ
Helpful Expert Reply:
The absolute best solution that I can recommend for you would be a bit of an elaborate solution. But for towing a fifth wheel trailer with a truck with a 5-1/2 foot bed it's honestly the only viable solution.
You are going to need to replace your B and W gooseneck hitch with a set of fifth wheel rails so that you can use a stationary hitch and a Sidewinder pin box on your trailer. It is the only way you'll be able to make tight turns.
Sidewinders are pin box specific so you will first need to know what pin box you have now in order to pick out the correct one.
There should be a sticker or a stamping on the OEM pin box of the trailer that will list the pin box number that is on the trailer.
Once you figure out which pin box you have you can check the FAQ I attached that has a chart that shows the correct Sidewinder to get based on which pin box you have.
For a rail kit you are going to want the part # RP50064-58 as it is a custom install kit that will minimize drilling and will cut install time in half. I attached an install video.
The Reese 16k hitch part # RP30047 would work great as well for a hitch.
Products Referenced in This Question
Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- Aftermarket Below Bed Rails
- 4000 lbs Vertical Load
- 16000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 13-1/2 - 17 Inch Tall
- Reese
more information >
Reese Quick-Install Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Custom
- Above the Bed
- Reese
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter w/8" Offset for Short-Bed Trucks
- Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters
- Adapts Trailer
- Fifth Wheel Trailer to Gooseneck Hitch
- Offset
- 24000 lbs GTW
- Bolts Over King Pin
- Adjustable Height
- King Pin Adapters
- Andersen
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Article: 4 Steps to Choosing Your 5th Wheel Pin Box
- Shop: Gen-Y Hitch Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box - Lippert Rhino - 30K GTW - 5.5K TW
- Article: Gooseneck to 5th Wheel Adapters
- Article: Adapters for Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer with a Gooseneck Hitch
- Search Results: upgraded pin box
- Q&A: Can Ranch Hitch Fifth Wheel to Gooseneck Adapter be Used On Extended Pin Box
- Q&A: Fifth Wheel Hitch Solution for 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 for Turn Clearance
- Q&A: What is Height Adjustment Range for Andersen Ultimate Connection Adapter part # AM3139
- Q&A: Can a Ranch Hitch Offset 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Adapter be Used on a 2010 GMC 1500 Crew Cab
- Q&A: Is the Shocker 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pinbox Covered Under Lippert's 1 Year Frame Warranty?
- Q&A: Which Gen-Y Fifth Wheel to Gooseneck Adapter for 2022 Forest River Rogue Vengeance Armored 4007
- Shop: Shocker 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pinbox for Lippert 1716/1116/0115 and Fabex - 24K GTW - 6K TW
- Shop: Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter w/8" Offset for Short-Bed Trucks
- Search Results: gooseneck and fifth wheel adapters
- Shop: Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Shop: B&W Companion Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Search Results: gen~y hitch
- Q&A: Does Truck with 6-1/2 ft bed Have to Use Slider Hitch for Turning Clearance with Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Shop: Gooseneck Hitch
- Search Results: gooseneck hitch
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Demco Recon Gooseneck-to-5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter for Recessed Ball - Single Jaw - 21,000 lbs
- Video: Choosing the Best Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Search Results: 44649
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Shop: Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter
- Article: Sidewinder with Rotating Turret for Short Bed Pickups
- Search Results: 68149
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Article: Best 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Adapters (2023)
on Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters
