Recommended 5th Wheel Hitch for 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Dual Cab with 6-1/2-Foot Bed

Question:

I love this truck, best one I ever had. Not towing, it gets better fuel mileage around town than my small Toyota Tacoma did on the highway. Since its a 6.5ft bed, and I plan on pulling a trailer no longer than 32ft, what 5th wheel hitch and any accessories do you recommend? I never accept short cuts in life and certainly not here. I have never towed something like this. I would guess a backup camera on the trailer would be great too, figure out how to connect it into my trucks backup camera display! Only modifications I have done with this truck is the Ranchhand winch bumper on the truck. Works wonders on pulling up cedar stumps!

asked by: Cliff W

Helpful Expert Reply:

Pulling a 5th wheel trailer with your short bed 2015 Silverado 2500HD will require a sliding type 5th wheel hitch in order for you to have enough clearance for making tight turns.

Most slider hitches require you to get out of the truck to release the slider mechanism before you can finish your maneuvering, but we have Demco's Hijacker automatic 5th wheel hitches that save you that hassle. Their 18K model # DM8550034 and their 21K model # DM8550037 both give you a full 14-inches of slider travel and they slide automatically when you make a sharp turn. Both install in your bed using custom base rail kit # DM8552011-71. Please check out the linked video to see the Hijacker in action. For a 5th wheel wiring harness use part # DM8555002.

Since you are new to 5th wheel towing you are wise to want a camera system. Observation cameras give you much more confidence on the road since they let you keep aware of what's going on around you and your trailer. I recommend a multi-camera setup to give you visibility of both the road behind you as well as of other vehicles on the passenger side.

I like the RVS setup # RVS-770614-213 because it has two cameras and very large 7-inch color monitor. Smaller monitors mean your eyes have to be off the road longer, and that is kind of self-defeating from a safety standpoint. The RVS cameras include night-vision capability and all cables and mounting brackets are included. Because this is a wired system there are never issues with interference from other devices. This is perfect for a 5th wheel. You might also want some towing mirrors like the custom fit CIPA set # CM10950.

As you're doing your trailer shopping you'll want to first confirm the truck's towing capacity. This depends on all of the specific equipment installed at the factory, including the engine, the cab style, box length and axle ratio. The online manual I reviewed shows that the 4WD 2500 V8 double cab with short bed can tow a 5th wheel up to 14,200-lbs. This means the 18K Demco hitch will be fine. But I do urge you to check your own manual to confirm your truck's towing capacity.