5th Wheel Towing with 2019 Silverado 3500 Short Bed with Factory Prep

Question:

I am looking for an expert opinion. I am deciding between purchasing an Anderson Ultimate Connection 2 hitch AM3220 for my 2019 Silverado 3500HD to tow a 15k # 5’er. I am also looking at the steel version of the Anderson Ultimate Hitch AM3200, paring it with the Demco 5th Wheel Rail Adapter DM6194. Which would you suggest for maximum safety? Thank You.

asked by: Rich D

Expert Reply:

If your goal is a lightweight 5th wheel towing setup in your 2019 Silverado 3500 short bed with factory prep then the combination of the Andersen Ultimate # AM3200 and the Demco Rail Adapter # DM6194 will work as long as your specific trailer's design gives it enough turning clearance when used with the 9-inches of offset from the Andersen. The distance from the Andersen's ball to the cab must be 4-inches more than half the trailer's width. Also, your trailer's pin box must be the fixed type, not a rotating/pivoting type like a Revolution, Sidewinder or Turning Point.

In short-bed trucks like yours a sliding hitch is the usual route taken for adequate turning clearance, but slider hitches are fairly heavy. Just the same, for the safest possible setup I do recommend using a slider made to directly fit your OEM prep, like the outstanding 20K B&W Companion # BWRVK3770.

If your trailer happens to have a rotating pin box then you can use a lighter fixed type hitch like the Companion # BWRVK3700 which is about 90-lbs lighter than the slider version and which also can be taken apart in sections for easier handling. You can use almost any fixed hitch you like so long as the trailer has a rotating pin box. If it does not and if you are interested in this option then the linked article on such pin boxes will help you check whether there is a rotating pin box available that can bolt on in place of your standard one.

expert reply by: Adam R