Installation Brackets for Installing Reese Fifth Wheel Hitch on 2011 Chevy Silverado 2500 Series

Question

Question:

I am in process of trading my Ram 2500 quadcab,8 bed PU for 2011 Silverado 2500 diesel, 2 Wh.Dr., SingleRearWh.not duelly. I removed the Reese 5th hitch #30047 from my Ram yesterday, and hope to be able to install it in new PU when deal is complete. I am not rushed as I will not be pulling our 5th wheel until next spring. I measured from trl pin slot on hitch to front edge of bed on Ram is 51. Spec sheet for new Chevy shows 41 from rear axle to front edge of bed. I have 37 Jayco 5th wh. model 341 RLQS. I had plenty of space to spare between front of 5th wheel and cab when connected to the Ram, and I am 99 sure 10 less bed space in front on new PU wont be a problem. My trl. is in storage in TN and I didnt think to measure the distance from hitch pin to front of doghouse when we were there last week, but looking at picture I feel certain it is less than 24. My hitch was installed by the Jayco dealer in Feb 2007 and is in excellent condition. My question is can I purchase a kit to install the rails in the bed. Also, what are your thoughts on adding a slider while I am doing this. I have mechanical abilities and would like to install it myself not just to save a few dollars, but mainly to know and feel that it is installed properly with your expert installation guidance. After exploring your website, I really am impressed with your customer service and feel fortunate that I have discovered it. Will definitely bookmark it for future reference.

asked by: Dennis R

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Expert Reply:

For your new Chevy Silverado 2500, I would recommend our fifth wheel install kit, part # RP50066-58.

If the new truck has the 8 foot bed, you will have no worries about needing a slider. If it has the 6-1/2 foot bed, using either a hitch with slider or a Sidewinder Replacement Pin Box is recommended.

We offer two different slider units that can be used with your existing Reese Hitch. Part # RP30048 uses square tubes for the hitch to slide along. This is the more economical choice, however the square tube slider units can bind up occasionally, making sliding the hitch more difficult. We also offer the round tube version, part # RP50024 which lessens the chances of the hitch binding up.

The Sidewinder would replace the existing pin box on the trailer. The unit actually relocates the pivot point from the king pin in the hitch to the pin box itself, which adds 22 inches of clearance between the front of the trailer loft and the rear of the truck cab. The Sidewinder is pin box-specific, for more information see the link I have provided below.

If the Chevy has the 8 foot box, the rearmost mounting rail would mount to the bed with its back edge 29-5/8 inches forward of the rear of the bed. For the 6-1/2 foot bed, that measurement would be 25-1/8 inches. The hitch would be installed so that the king pin falls directly over the center point of the rear axle.

For your convenience I will also provide a link below to the installation instructions for the rail kit.

expert reply by: Mike L

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