Does Having a Short Bed on a 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500 Require Me to Have a Sliding 5TH Wheel Hitch?

Question:

Is it true I have to have a sliding 5th wheel hitch when towing with my 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500 because it has a short bed. I do have the factory mounts.

asked by: Carlos

Expert Reply:

For most 5th wheel trailers it is going to be recommend to use a sliding 5th wheel hitch when your truck has a short bed. With your 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 having a short bed using a sliding hitch like the B&W # BWRVK3775 will allow you to reposition the hitch 12" further to the rear. This will give you the clearance needed to make full jack knife turns when you need to maneuver your camper at a campground or get stuck in a narrow lot. As most trailers are 8' wide and your axle center line is only roughly 42" from the back cab if you were to make a 90 degree turn without a hitch repositioned it would put 6" of your camper where your cab wants to be.

There are some instances where a camper will have a rotating pin box like the Sidewinder # RP77FR. this allows you to use a fixed 5th Wheel Hitch # BWRVK3715 as the pin box changes the pivot point to where it bolts on the camper.

Personally I recommend using the Demco Autoslide # DM29GV as it slides the camper away from your cab as you turn. This means you do not have to get out of your truck to slide the hitch back. Comes in very handy after a long drive not having to reposition anything. This hitch works with most pin boxes but you may require a special adapter if you have a pivoting or cushioned pin box.

expert reply by: Bud M