How to Determine if the B&W Companion Slider is Needed for a 2023 GMC Sierra 2500 w/ 6-3/4' Bed  

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The "standard" beds on the newer GM trucks like your 2023 GMC Sierra 2500 are longer than they used to be at 6-3/4' instead of 6-1/2'. If your 5th wheel trailer has a tapered nose, you may not need a sliding 5th wheel hitch. I have included some steps below to determine if a slider is needed. I have also included a fixed and sliding B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch that will fit your Sierra, so you can choose whichever you determine will work.

Steps Needed to Determine the Turning Clearance You Have When Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer with a Tapered Nose

1: Go to the far edge of your trailer nose, about 1 foot up to allow for the curvature of the nose you will place a piece of tape with a string hanging with some sort of weight (a lock would work). This will create a point you can use for measuring.
2: You then want to take your measuring tape and measure from the center of your king pin to the string.
3: Take the measuring tape to the bed of your truck with your 5th wheel hitch properly positioned in the bed.
4: You will want to position the end of the measuring tape in the center of where your king pin will sit in the jaws of your 5th wheel hitch.
5: You will then extend the tape towards the truck cab to the measurement you got from the center of your king pin to the string.
6: You will want to keep the the end of the measuring tape centered in the king pin jaws and use that as a pivot point.
7: You will then rotate the other end of the tape using that pivot point, if you can rotate the tape all the way through without making contact with your truck cab then you have enough turning clearance to use a fixed hitch. If you make contact at any point, then you would need a slider or rotating pin box.

B&W Fixed 5th Wheel Hitch
- B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch for Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package # BWRVK3710

B&W Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch
- B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider for Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package # BWRVK3775

expert reply by: Scott S

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