5th Wheel Trailer Hitch or Gooseneck Adapter for a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 with Factory Prep Package

Question:

hi, I am taking delivery of a 2016 sierra 2500 crew cab with the new gooseneck/fifth wheel prep option. I will be towing a 2016 cougar 28dbi xlite. Im trying to determine what hitch to go with. pretty much had my mind set of the andersen ultimate untill I saw this. Not too familiar with it except for what ive read here on etrailer. my concerns with it are: do I lose or gain any bed rail clearance with it? and same for turning radius? and also how is it with uneven terrain? hitching and unhitching, etc....thanks also, what other hitch options do I have with this pkg?

asked by: Paul

Expert Reply:

First the best hitch for towing any given trailer is going to be the matching hitch type. So in other words for a 5th wheel trailer use a 5th wheel hitch. For a gooseneck trailer use a gooseneck hitch. Since you want to tow a 5th wheel trailer I recommend a 5th wheel hitch.

Since your 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 has the factory prep package I recommend the Curt Q20 5th wheel hitch # C16530-16025 which will fit directly into the prep package. I have linked a video review for you.

Right now, there are no slider hitch options so if you have a short bed truck you may not have the clearance needed to make tight turns. If this is the case then I recommend using # RP30890 with a Sidewinder pin box. The Sidewinders only fit certain OEM pin boxes so I would need to known the manufacturer and model number of the pin box on the trailer. I have linked out help article on Sidewinders for you.

If you wanted to go with the gooseneck hitch and an adapter then for a ball use # C60692 which fits directly into the prep package. But, like the Sidewinders, the Goose Box adapters only fit in place of certain pin boxes. They will not change anything (if so only marginally) in the height or turn clearance categories though so you won't get any extra clearances and there is no Sidewinder type of set up for a gooseneck hitch.

There are 3 Goose Box options:

# RP85FR rated for 20K and fits Lippert 0719, 1621, 1621HD and Fabex PB-600 Series pin boxes

# RP94716-61301 rated for 16K and fits Lippert 0115, 1116 and 1716 pin boxes