Is Sliding Hitch Absolutely Necessary for 5th Wheel Towing With 2020 Ford F250 With 6.75 Foot Bed

Question:

I have a 2020 Ford F250 with puck system and a 6.75foot bed. I am buying a 2021 Coachman Chaparral and was wondering if I need a slider hitch. I would like to purchase a 20K BW companion without slider. Will this work ok?

asked by: David M

Helpful Expert Reply:

The answer to your question will depend on the nature of the front of the 5th wheel you purchase. It looks like your Coachmen Chaparral has the rounded nose, so you might get by without a slider on flat ground but given the consequences of what could happen if you're making a downhill or uphill sharp turn and the front of the 5th wheel hits the back of the truck cab, we will typically recommend going with a sliding hitch for short bed trucks.

I spent quite a bit of time in the forums researching this and the one comment I saw that stood out is this- "I would say that 99% of the time I will not need my slider with my Chaparral, but I have it for the 1% where I might need it. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it."

I'd recommend going with the sliding B&W Companion, part # BWRVK3370. B&W makes an outstanding product, you'll never go wrong choosing one of their US-made 5th wheel hitch products.

If your primary objection to going with a slider is the need to exit the vehicle, unlock the slider, make the turn then lock the slider back into place afterward, Demco offers the 18K capacity Hijacker Autoslide, part # DM8550024 which would work great for you. Once you turn more than 10-15º, the rack and pinion gear system in the hitch will activate, moving the hitch head rearward. As the turn is completed, the hitch will slide back forward. The Hijacker Autoslide is also manufactured in the US.

If you'd like a 7-way installed in the truck bed so you don't have to run the trailer connector cable up over the tailgate, you can install one using part # 50-97-410-010.

I've linked to demonstration videos for the hitches mentioned above and to an install video for the trailer connector harness I recommended.