How to Determine What Fifth Wheel Hitch Head Height is Needed for 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500HD

Question

Question:

What do you consider to be the bottom of the pin box plate

asked by: Craig S

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

The fifth wheel hitch height you'll need can be pretty easily calculated after taking two pretty easy measurements of your truck and trailer. Measure from the ground to the top of the bed floor and then measure from the ground to the bottom of the pin box mounting plate when the trailer is sitting level. The difference between those two heights is the height you need for your fifth wheel hitch.

Most likely the Demco Hijacker part # DM8550034 that you referenced would work as it has a height range of between 15-1/4 inches and 18 inches. This hitch automatically slides back as you are turning to give you better turning clearance.

To install this hitch in your 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500 short bed will require the install kit # DM8552011-71 and you'd be set. I attached an install video for this kit for you to check out on a similar Silverado as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

1

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Craig S.

1/17/2020

You asked me to measure from the ground to the bottom of the pin box mounting plate, what is the bottom of the mounting plate? Is it where the pin box attaches to the trailer?

Reply

Jason S.

1/20/2020

The bottom of the pin box referred to in the expert answer is the location right next to the king pin on your trailer's pin box. The flat part of that box when your trailer is level when measuring from the ground will give you the height your trailer ideally should be towed. This will make sure you can get the closest 5th wheel hitch height so you aren't towing with the front to high or too low. I've attached an article to help further.

Helpful Links

faq-fifthwheel.aspx

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Craig S.

1/15/2020

Thanks for your quick response. What do you think of Curt manual slide hitches?

Reply

Jameson C.

1/15/2020

Curt slider hitches are solid. Especially if you go with the new A-Series of hitches like the A16 part # C16521. You'd be really happy with this hitch. It has a new designed jaw system which give it better king pin contact too.

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Craig S.

1/22/2020

What do you consider to be the bottom of the pin box plate

Reply

Jameson C.

1/22/2020

I attached a picture that shows what the pin box plate is. Basically it's the plate that the king pin is mounted to. This is what rests on the head of your fifth wheel hitch.

Reply

Answer 1

I recommend the Demco Hijacker 18K Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider part #DM8550034 with the custom rails part #DM8552011-71 for the 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 short bed. The Hijacker is designed so you don't have to get out of the truck to…

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Answer 2

The brackets and hardware are not available as separate purchases, so you would need to get the full kit, which is the Underbed Rail and Installation Kit for Demco Hijacker UMS 5th Wheel and Gooseneck Trailer Hitches #DM8551010. I have added a link…

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Answer 3

For your 2018 GMC 2500HD without factory prep puck system, I recommend adding one using the Reese Elite Series Under-Bed Gooseneck Complete Hitch #RP30158-68. This will give you pucks that look and function just like the factory yet the 5th wheel…

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Answer 4

I can't really speak to PullRite too much as this is not a brand we carry but what we do offer is the Demco Hijacker 5th Wheel Hitch part #DM8550035 which has an automatic slide. The unique thing about the Hijacker is the jaw design and if you…

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Answer 5

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 6

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 7

Choosing the right height setting for your 5th wheel hitch is a combination of a few different variables. First of all you want your towing setup to be as level as possible. With your Montana High Country 340BH level you will want to measure from the…

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Answer 8

The Ram OEM 5th wheel puck system, shown in the linked photo and article, was launched in 2013 so what you have in your truck is likely to be an aftermarket installation of some kind. These newer Ram trucks with the factory prep can directly accept a…

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Answer 9

Most fifth wheel rails are made to the same industry standard dimensions. They aren't all though. If you measure 22 inches on center between the two rails and they look like the rails of the #RP30035 that you referenced they would be the industry…

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Answer 10

The factory prep package or pucks are not the same between Ram, GM and Ford. The spacing is all different which means you cannot use a 5th wheel hitch for Ram pucks on a GM with pucks. Take the Curt A25 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for example which is…

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Answer 11

If you take a look at the linked diagram you can see the minimum recommended clearance distances between truck and trailer for 5th wheel towing. It is recommended to have at least 5-inches from the top of the bed rails to the bottom of the trailer…

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Answer 12

Having the puck system is a great feature. If you ever plan on loading the bed with mulch, sand or rock you'll quickly find that having rails permanently bolted to the bed floor is a real pain. Not only that, but the pucks look a lot better.…

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