Recommended Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch with Auto Slide Feature For Use With 2020 GMC Sierra 3500
Question:
I am purchasing 8 2020 Grand design solitude 310gk. Im trying to figure out when exactly I would have to use the slider so it wont make contact to the cab of my truck. What kind of angle whould I have to be that I would need to activate the slide. Worried about getting in maybe a gas station in a tight situation and forget the slide it back
asked by: Scott P
Expert Reply:
I'll start by saying that a lot of this is trial and error. In most cases your camper will not come close to the truck bed until you start getting into the 90 degree turn realm; instances where your truck and camper are perpendicular to each other. Using an auto-sliding hitch like the Demco Hijacker Autoslide # DM8550034, instead of the B&W Companion # BWRVK3775 which requires manual slider operation, would be a great solution to avoid running into situations where you might forget to open the slider latch.
The Demco Hijacker Autoslide requires the use of base rail kit # DM6333 which attaches to the factory prep package on your 2020 GMC Sierra, but is a great solution if you're worried about remembering to engage the slider when turning in tight spaces. This base rail kit fits in the factory prep package and is easily removed when you're not towing. On top of the autoslide feature, the Demco offers 14" of fore/aft travel, which is going to be more than the 12" the B&W provides and will lessen the chances of cab contact when performing these turns.
You'll want to use this clearance formula for short bed trucks in order to determine exactly how much clearance you're going to need with your truck and 5th wheel.
Clearance Formula for Short Bed Trucks:
Use the formula below to ensure there will be enough space between your truck cab and trailer when executing a 90-degree turn.
(A+B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from the center of fifth-wheel hitch jaw to truck cab
B = Length of Travel (14")
C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half)
For example: If the distance from the center of the hitch to the cab is 36", 36" + 22" = 58". If your fifth-wheel trailer is 102" wide, take half (51"), then plug in: 58" - 51" = 7" of clearance.
I've linked some helpful videos on the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th wheel hitch for you to have a look at, as well. These might be helpful in determining if it's going to be a good fit.
Products Referenced in This Question
Demco 5th Wheel Rail Adapter for Chevy/GMC OEM 5th Wheel Towing Prep Package - 21K
- Accessories and Parts
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Adapters
- Rail Adapter
- Demco
more information >
Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 18,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 4500 lbs Vertical Load
- 18000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Premium - Single-Hook Jaw
- 16-1/2 - 19-1/4 Inch Tall
- 14 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- Demco
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider for Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20K
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- OEM - GM
- 5000 lbs Vertical Load
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 17 - 19 Inch Tall
- B and W
more information >
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