Comparing B&W Companion VS Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5TH Wheel Hitches For 2017 Ford F-250 6-1/2' Bed

Question

Question:

I have a 2017 F250 short bed do you recommend the slider or regular 5 wheel looking at b w companion or auto Deco hijacker

asked by: Jon

0

Expert Reply:

I recommend the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # DM8550022 for your 2017 Ford F-250 with the 6-1/2' Bed. With having the Autoslide you will be able to maneuver your trailer in tighter spaces by being able to make a jackknife turn. Since it does not require you to unlock the hitch like many manual sliders to achieve this you will be able to make quicker turns in tight parking lots while on your trips. The Underbed Rail and Installation Kit # DM8551009 will allow you to keep a clean truck bed when you do not need the hitch.

A Demco Hijacker UMS Series Gooseneck Trailer Hitch # DM5988 will work with the underbed rail kit in the event you need to also gooseneck tow.

The B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider # BWRVK3400-5W will also allow you to make jackknife turns but you must get out to unlock the hitch and slide it into the maneuvering position. You must also return it to the towing position by getting out to unlock the hitch again and reposition. If you went with a fixed hitch like the B&W Companion # BWRVK3500-5W you would not have the clearance needed to make a jackknife turn and you also risk damage to your cab and trailer if you accidently went past the limited turning of the hitch. Since the center hitch point on your F-250 is only about 40" from the cab, with an 8' wide trailer you would have about 4" wanting of your trailer wanting to occupy your cab in a jackknife turn. The Custom Underbed Installation Kit # BWGNRK1116-5W would be required for either of the B&W 5th wheel hitches.

Don't forget the Hopkins Endurance 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness # 41157 to add a 7-way connector in the bed of your F-250. This will protect the wiring and connectors from damage that occurs when the cord is stretched over the tailgate down to the bumper connection.

expert reply by: Bud M

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Answer 1

Since you have a set of Underbed Demco Rails part #DM8551009 installed in your truck you can use the gooseneck adapter part #DM5988 that you referenced.

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Answer 2

I do have an option for you as with the Lippert Turning Point Pin Box you cannot use a 5th wheel hitch like the B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch #BWRVK3400-5W. This is due to the single attachment point of this particular style hitch. If…

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Answer 3

The Demco Rail Kit part #DM8551010 that you referenced is a confirmed fit for your 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 Short Bed. The gooseneck hitch adapter you would need to go with this rail kit is the part #DM5988.

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Answer 4

If you have the 6-1/2 foot bed, the Goose Box will not give you any more or less turning clearance than the Lippert 1621 pin box. The only way to increase your turning angle is to use a an offset adapter hitch like #DM8550045 and keep your 1621 pin…

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Answer 5

You're definitely going to want to do some test runs after installing a Goose Box, like part #RP85FR, or a trailer because you're correct that it's very unlikely you can make a full 90 degree turn. A Goose Box also doesn't increase…

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Answer 6

There is not a way to switch out the top of the Demco Hijacker with a gooseneck ball. However, if your Demco Hijacker fits under bed UMS Demco rails like the Demco Hijacker part #DM8550032 you can use the Demco Hijacker UMS Series Gooseneck Trailer…

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Answer 7

With clearance being the biggest issue for you, there is one option I highly recommend for a 5th wheel hitch that fits your 2019 Ram 2500 with a 6-1/2 foot bed, the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch with Slider #DM8550034. The Hijacker…

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Answer 8

Demco uses/used a few different styles of fifth wheel rails over the years so the key will be determining what rails you have now so that we can pick out the correct adapter you'd need. The part #DM5988 you referenced is for the UMS style rails…

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Answer 9

Since you've got the Demco Underbed Mount Series installation rails for your Hijacker Autoslide, in order to tow a gooseneck trailer you'll need to use the Demco Hijacker UMS Series Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for UMS Series Base Rails - 25,000…

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Answer 10

The Demco Underbed Rail Kit #DM8551006 will not fit with the B&W Turnoverball, or any other gooseneck hitch, in your 2014 Ram 3500. To tow a fifth wheel trailer with the Turnoverball you can use the B&W Companion #BWRVK3400 which fits right…

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Answer 11

The Underbed Rail and Installation Kit for Demco UMS 5th Wheel and Gooseneck Trailer Hitches #DM8551006 for your 2016 Ram 3500 are designed for Demco 5th wheel hitches that use the Demco UMS (underbed mounting system) which is a unique mounting…

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Answer 12

The Reese Goose Box #RP85FR referenced in your question, which is designed to replace the Lippert 1621, 1621HD and 0719 pin boxes, will not provide any additional clearance for short bed trucks above what the factory pin box offers. With the Goose…

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