Recommended Fifth Wheel Hitches for 2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD with Short Bed

Expert Reply:

As long as you stay with a name-brand product like Reese, Curt or Valley, you should have no problems.

You will want to choose a hitch whose weight capacity exceeds the fully loaded ready-to-tow weight of your fifth wheel. Because your truck has the 6-1/2 foot bed, you will want to choose a sliding hitch. A slider provides additional clearance between the front of the trailer loft and the rear of the truck cab, to prevent the trailer from striking and damaging the truck during turns. The Reese 16K with Round Tube Slider, part # RP30075 would be a good choice. The round tubes on the slider ensure that the hitch will slide smoothly back and forth, as the square tube models can bind. For a larger capacity, the Reese 20K with Round Tube Slider part # RP30083 would be a good choice.

A custom install kit, part # RP50066-58 is available.

If you truck is not equipped with the trailer connector in the bed, I would recommend part # 51-97-410.

I have linked you to the instructions for the install kit.

expert reply by: Mike L