Recommended Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch for a 2008 Chevrolet 2500HD with 6-1/2 Foot Bed

Question:

Hi Iam looking to get my first 5th wheel and needing alittle help deciding which one first I have a 2008 Chevy 2500hd crewcab with the 6 1/2 bed any advice would be greatly appreciated

asked by: Matt W

Expert Reply:

I recommend the Reese # RP30051.

I recommend the custom installation kit # RP50064-58 for the Titan 20K 5th Wheel hitch. This kit requires no drilling for the frame brackets and will therefore take less time to install on your truck. The Titan hitch will have 11 inches of travel and have a tongue weight of 5,000lbs and a gross towing weight of 20,000lbs. The dual-jaw system provides more jaw-to-king-pin contact than traditional dual-jaw hitches and its geared teeth ensure an even 360-degree pin contact which will reduce jarring and chucking.

The formula for determining if you have enough clearance to make 90 degree turns with a fifth wheel trailer hitched up to a truck.

(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from the fifth wheel jaw center to the truck cab
B = Offset used (slider clearance)
C = Width of the nose of the trailer divided by 2.

If you find you need more clearance than the Titan with slider can provide, I recommend looking at the Demco # DM8550035 with custom install kit # DM8552012-71. This 5th wheel hitch will have 14 inches of travel front to back and has Autoslide technology which allows you to remain in your vehicle while making those turns while a traditional 5th wheel slider requires you to get into the bed of your truck and pull a lever to go from towing to turning.

I have linked an installation video of the Reese custom install kit being installed on a 2008 Chevy Silverado for your convenience as well as some Help Articles.