Best Fifth Wheel Towing Setup Recommendation for a GMC 3500 Short Bed Truck

Question:

We recently retired, and were thinking of buying a pickup and 5th wheel camper to tour around the country. At this point I know nothing at all about 5th wheel hitches. Im looking at buying a GMC 3500 with a 6½ foot bed. Id like to stay with the 6½ foot truck, as its already very large for putting around town shopping. When not towing, Id like the truck bed completely empty i.e. no protruding hitch hardware. So I guess it would have to be easily installed and removed by one person. Do you have a recommendation on a hitch configuration that would do this? Thanks.

asked by: Steve W

Expert Reply:

I believe I have what would be an ideal setup for your. The M5 series hitches install in underbed fifth wheel rails that when the hitch is removed you are left without any rails or hardware in the bed of the truck.

As long as the GMC 3500 you are looking at is newer than 2011 you would first want to start with the correct Elite underbed rail kit, part # RP30868. Since you are wanting something easily removed with one person you would need to go with a stationary hitch like part # RP30921. The slider hitches are much heavier and would be pretty difficult to manage. If you are looking at an older truck let me know and I'll find you the correct rail kit.

Since you really want to use a short bed truck you are going to have to use a Sidewinder pin box in place the pin box on the trailer you purchase so that you have the needed clearance to make 90 degree turns.

Sidewinders are pin box specific so you will first need to know what pin box you have know in order to pick out the correct one.

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.

I also attached an FAQ on fifth wheels that should be very helpful as well.