How to Choose the Correct 5th Wheel Hitch for a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Flareside  

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Helpful Expert Reply:

As long as the 4.5" lift you have on your 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a suspension lift and not a body lift then you will not have a problem installing a 5th wheel hitch as far as the lift aspect goes. However, if there is a body lift on your truck then you will need to remove it in order to install a 5th wheel hitch as none of them will work with vehicles that have a body lift.

The B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider part # BWRVK3400-5W is designed to be used with the B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch part # BWGNRK1059. However, since you have a flareside model then you will need to use a fixed 5th wheel hitch with a Sidewinder therefore this option will not work for you. A Sidewinder will be required to eliminate contacting the bed sides on your truck and a fixed 5th wheel hitch will be required because it is not advised to use a Sidewinder pin box with a sliding 5th wheel hitch. The Sidewinder and fixed 5th wheel hitch will allow for turning clearance and will eliminate the trailer from contacting the bed sides.

I recommend using the B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch part # BWRVK3255 with the Reese Quick-Install Custom Installation Kit part # RP50064-58. This setup will give you an excellent quality hitch with an 18,000 lb towing capacity. In order to recommend a Sidewinder pin box I would need to know the make and model of the pin box you currently have on your trailer. Once you can provide me with this information I would be glad to see if we have a Sidewinder for you but I have attached our selection in the meantime.

expert reply by: Conner L

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