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The automatic slider built into this hitch gives you 22-1/2" of fore/aft travel, so it glides back when you turn and returns forward as you straighten out. There’s no handle to pull or lever to reset—it works on its own as you drive. This makes slow-speed turns and backing into tight spots simple and controlled without leaving the driver’s seat. The roller-and-guide assembly keeps the motion smooth, preventing binding or jerks while maintaining stable control through every pivot.
A single-piece wraparound jaw fully surrounds the king pin for 360-degree contact, cutting down on rattle and chucking compared to slide-bar designs. The 3/4" solid steel locking bar reinforces that connection automatically when the jaw closes, giving a tight, secure hold that feels solid under load. Rated for 13,000 lbs gross towing weight and a 3,250 lbs vertical load limit, this setup delivers dependable stability mile after mile.
The head pivots both front to back and side to side, making hookup easier even on uneven ground. Three polyurethane dampeners cushion movement and absorb road shock, keeping noise down while smoothing out the bumps along the way. That flexibility helps the trailer settle naturally behind you so towing feels steadier and less fatiguing over long runs.
Three hitch height settings—15-1/4", 16-1/2", and 18"—make it easy to dial in the right clearance for your rig. The hitch mounts on included above-bed rails using side plates that bolt directly to the base for a solid fit. Once set up, it locks in with safety pins so removal is straightforward when you need to free up bed space. Sturdy steel construction with a rust-resistant black powder coat keeps it looking clean and ready for the next trip.
Alternate Instructions
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Hello everybody, this is Jeff at etrailer.com. Today. We're going to take a look at this Replacement Head and Base Assembly for the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches. Has a 13,000 pound gross towing weight capacity. Now this will replace the head and the base assembly on your Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch. It is designed to fit the hitch part number DM8550040 and part number DM8550041.This 5th Wheel Hitch will mount in the bed of your short bed truck so that you can tow your 5th Wheel Trailer.
The hitch does come all pre-assembled for easy installation, all you have to do is bolt on the side plates and attach the head to the hitch face. Now, this does offer an automatic slider, which provides clearance that's required for your short bed truck to turn safely at slow speeds. There's no more getting in or out of your truck to operate a manual slider.This rotating hitch head will turn up to 90 degrees with your trailer. The rotation will create the force that propels that automatic slider. So basically the head will slide towards the tailgate when you turn, and back towards the cab when you straighten out.
Total travel it'll give you as about 22 and a half inches front to back. The roller and guide assembly that's underneath here in the base, creates a nice, smooth and controlled movement. If you notice on the hitch head right here, they have these built-in brackets. This just stabilizes your pin box so the king pin won't rotate in the hitch, and there is no need for any separate capture plate for a standard non cushion pin box.It is a rail free design, allows for full access to your truck bed when the hitch is removed. Does offer two separate tracks to allow for up to two and three quarter inches of side to side clearance, to keep your pin box from hitting your bed rails.
The jaw on this hitch head here is a nice wrap around single piece jaw, provides a nice secure connection. Gives you a 360 degree jaw to king pin contact, which will give you less rattle, more security than the slide bar jaws. Now, at the end of this video, I'm going to demonstrate how the king pin will slide in here. It does also use, if you look in front of the wraparound jaw, this bar right here, it's a three quarter-inch thick, solid steel locking bar. This'll reinforce the connection of your coupled trailer.
This will automatically lock into place when your jaw closes.The hitch head itself is a double pivot hitch head, eases hook-up helps limit chucking, pivots front to back and side to side. They do use cushioning polyurethane dampeners underneath the hitch head to help reduce noise, absorb any road shock. And the handle on this head is a nice spring loaded handle, has a nice comfort grip, allows for simple coupling. And they do use this tethered safety pin right here you can see. And when it's closed, to lock it in place you drop it through and clip it. And then to open it you just remove it, and it is tethered, you can see if you let it go you won't lose it. Go ahead and put it back in there.Now this is a nice sturdy steel construction, uses rust resistant black powder coat finish. It is made in the USA. Few specs again, the application, it fits standard pin boxes from 12 inches to 14 inches wide. Now locking plates, which we do sell separately, are required for use with the following cushion pin boxes: The Glide Ride, the Mor Ryde, the Trailair Tri Glide, and the 5th Airborne. Gross towing weight capacity on this is 13,000 pounds, vertical load limit or pin weight capacity is 3,250 pounds. Now it does come with this nice operator's manual that'll describe how everything goes together and how it operates.And again, the last thing I do want to show you, here's an example of what the king pin would look like on your 5th wheel. So when you go to hookup, what you'll do again is remove the safety pin there, and then you'll take your handle and pull it all the way out. Once you get it all the way out, it locks into the open position. So you can see it's going to allow the king pin to slide in there and push up against the jaw. So you can see when it gets in far enough, just like that, the wrap around jaw comes around. And that bar we talked about will slide all the way across and lock into place, give you that extra security. Now you're all ready to go. All you have to do is take your safety pin, drop it through the hole, flip it and it's locked the handle, you're all ready to go. To disconnect it all you have to do is, again, pull out your handle and that'll allow you to remove the king pin from your jaws.But that should do it for the review on the Replacement Head and Base Assembly for the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches. Has a 13,000 pound gross towing weight capacity.
Ratings & Reviews
Kevin
10/22/2021
its been great. love it
Jenny N.
12/14/2022
It looks like we missed the mark. If you can tell me more about your experience then I am happy to help.
Kate F.
2/18/2026
Great pointer with the hoist Tanner, this thing is a beast! It is so awesome to not have to get out of the truck to be able to make those tight turns. Any big adventures coming up this year? Where are you going, what are you seeing?
Mike L.
5/1/2026
Glad to hear that William, thanks for the photo!
Bob N.
10/14/2025
A year later….. So I took the camper out 5 times this summer. Had zero issues with the hitch. Unhooking was a little tricky for me. I would raise the camper, pull the latch on the hitch, go to pull the truck away….only for the latch to lock in again. This happened to me several times but I blame myself for lack of experience. This has become less of an issue the more I unhook from the camper. Overall I’m happy with the hitch and would recommend.
Andrew
8/27/2025
It has worked great so far so good however wave expresshorizon transport does not accept this manufacturer’s hitch. I pull a 12,800 something pound fifth wheel camper loaded has done great no issues. Here’s hoping it last 20 years.
Kate F.
8/27/2025
Gwendolyn Y.
5/28/2025
You deserve a major high-five for installing this monster by yourself! That's a big feat to take on! I'm happy that everything smoothed out in the end and that you are enjoying the hitch! What kind of camping trips are lined up so far for the summer?
Doug
6/17/2026
Denco Autoslide 5th wheel hitch is working perfectly a year later. Weve traveled extensively across the USA and Canada over year, the hitch has performed as expected each time. One key, keep the hitch and king pin clean and well lubricated.
Lazer S.
2/10/2026
Glad you are liking it, Steve! I'll let Demco know about the instructions as well. Definitely don't want to get those mixed up so it should be as clear as possible. What kind of 5th wheel are you going to be towing?
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Rod
7/6/2022
It works Great