Best Fifth Wheel Towing Setup Recommendation for a 2015 GMC 3500HD
Question:
Truck: 2015 GMC 3500 HD short bed, single rear wheel Trailer not purchased yet: 2014 or 2015 Fuzion 342 Toyhauler maybe around 16k #’s full with 4k on the pin Looking for an 18k – 20k 5th wheel hitch. I will be also getting the Sidewinder 19k King Pin for the trailer. I am looking at putting the Under Bed Rails RP30868 in the truck, and it looks like the only model hitch to connect without the Adapter to Standard Hitch RP30156, is the Reese m5 Series RP30921. But my big concern with this hitch is the movement of the Head fore/aft about ½” that I read about in your Q and A area. Do you know if this hitch still has that issue? I don’t know much about this “Chucking” other than what I have read, but I don’t want a hitch that has an issue to start with. If that hitch does still have that issue, then I was looking at using the Adapter RP30156 to use R20 Hitch RP30867. Do you know if it has this fore/aft movement issue? Since I don’t have the trailer, or the hitch yet to take measurements, I have a concern that the Adapter will raise whatever hitch I put on it, too much for the trailer. I don’t know if the Sidewinder will adjust up far enough. I don’t know what Pin Box is on the trailer. Is this a valid concern? Will adding another connection point to the bed with the Adapter cause extra movement? I have never had a 5th wheel hitch before, so any help would be appreciated. I have tried to research as much as I could to come up with the above combinations. Please let me know if I’m on the right track, or if you have any other recommendations or corrections for me.
asked by: Kevin B
Expert Reply:
If you go with a Sidewinder, and Elite Underbed Rail Kit like the part # RP30868 and an Elite Hitch like the part # RP30921 you would have basically the nicest fifth wheel towing setup around. I would strongly recommend you go this route.
If you need a higher rated hitch you could use the # RP30922 as this hitch is rated for 27k.
With this setup chucking would not be an issue at all. The movement that the Elite hitches have is very slight and would not be considered chucking. Chucking feels and sounds like a loud banging noise that is rather obnoxious. All fifth wheel hitches have slight movements since there are several moving parts, but the Elite hitches do not have a chucking problem.
Sidewinders are pin box specific, so you will first need to know what pin box you have in order to pick out the correct one. Both of the hitches listed above will also require Wedge Kit # RP44FR for use with a sidewinder.
There should be a sticker or a stamping on the OEM pin box of the trailer that will list the pin box number that is on the trailer.
Once you figure out which pin box you have you can check the FAQ I attached that has a chart that shows the correct Sidewinder to get based on which pin box you have. If you want an even smoother ride you could go with one of the 5th Airborne Sidewinders as these are cushioned. These are the part numbers in the right column.
Products Referenced in This Question
Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Ford Towing Prep Package - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- OEM - Ford
- 5000 lbs Vertical Load
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Cushioned Double Pivot
- Premium - Single-Hook Jaw
- 14 - 18 Inch Tall
- Reese
more information >
Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Ford Towing Prep Package- Single Jaw - 27,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- OEM - Ford
- 27000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Premium - Single-Hook Jaw
- Reese
more information >
Sidewinder Wedge Kit for 20,000-lb Reese ELITE, M-Series, or ProSeries Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Accessories and Parts
- Fifth Wheel King Pin
- Wedges
- Pro Series 5th Wheel
- Reese 5th Wheel
- Reese
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Under-Bed Rail and Installation Kit for Reese Elite Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Custom
- Below the Bed
- Reese
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
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