Best Fifth Wheel Towing Setup Recommendation for a 2007 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Classic

Question:

I have specified the truck I have and identified a nice auto-slide 5th wheel hitch to fit my 6 1/2foot Chev 2500 HD. I have been counseled that in some parks I may visit where I might be backing into an incline or decline the added movement of the slide can cause impact or damage to the bed rails as the pin-box or neck hits due to changing angle. I left a message for a tech to call me back, I would like unbiased advice since I have no experience to base a selection between manual or automatic upon.

asked by: Robert

Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you to consider that I think would be the winner. If you install a Sidewinder pin box on your trailer you move the pivot point back 22 inches for the fifth wheel hitch which will give you the clearance you would need to make tight turns. It also wouldn't potentially cause any clearance issues around corners on inclines.

You will need to remove the pin box of the trailer and replace it with a Sidewinder pin box. 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.

With the Sidewinder you would want to run a stationary hitch like the part # RP30328 since you would have no use for a slider. Stationary hitches are considerably lighter weight and have much less movement two due to fewer moving parts.

For a rail kit you would want the part # RP50064-58 which is a custom install kit that will minimize drilling and install time.

expert reply by: Jameson C