Fifth Wheel Hitch Recommendation for 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LD 6.5 Foot Bed

Question

Question:

Hi, I have a 2005 Chevy Silverado 1500 LD Crew Cab. Im looking at a 25foot 5th wheel camper. Wondering what the best set up for towing would be. Camper is currently set up 5th wheel.

asked by: Tim P

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Expert Reply:

First, I recommend checking your owner's manual for your Silverado's maximum towing capacity. From what I found, Chevy has determined that fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers should not be towed with the 2005 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab. For example, The owner's manual for the Silverado 1500 Crew Cab, 4 wheel drive, 5800 V8, with an axle ratio of 4.10 lists a maximum towing capacity for the vehicle of 8,400 pounds. So as to not damage your truck, I recommend making sure the gross towing weight of the trailer does not exceed the towing capacity of your specific pickup.

If you find the camper will weigh less than your vehicle's maximum towing capacity, and you will be towing a fifth wheel camper, a fifth wheel hitch will be best for your setup. With a short bed truck, a sliding fifth wheel hitch allows you to have the clearance necessary to make tight turns.

For your 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LD 6.5 foot bed, I recommend the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch. # DM8550034. This trailer hitch automatically slides when you need to make tight turns, eliminating the need for you to exit the vehicle multiple times and it fits the industry standard base rails. The Hijacker also provides 14 inches of front to back travel to offer the greatest clearance possible. The Demco Hijacker Premier Series Above-Bed Rails and Universal Install Kit # DM8552009-71 allows you to install this hitch in the bed of your truck. The trailer hitch is rated at 18,000 pounds gross towing weight and has a vertical load limit of 4,500 pounds. Regardless of the rating of the hitch, your towing capacity will still be limited to that of your vehicle. I have included a review video of this trailer hitch for you.

Even if you find the camper's gross towing weight does not exceed your truck's max towing capacity, you will likely experience some rear vehicle sag. To correct this, I recommend a Timbren Suspension Enhancement system. If you have 2 wheel drive, # TGMRCK15S. If you have 4 wheel drive, # TGMRCK25S. These suspension enhancement systems will help correct vehicle sag and extend the life of your factory leaf spring suspension. I have included installation videos of these systems on 2005 Silverado 1500s.

expert reply by: Victoria B

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Answer 1

The Husky Silver Series 26K W 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch #HT31318-31325 will install simply in the same fifth wheel rails that your 16k hitch installed into in the bed of your truck. This hitch also uses the same head design as the 16k hitch so the…

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Answer 2

The B and W Patriot hitch part #BWRVK3255 and the Curt A20 part #C16140 are both really excellent fifth wheel hitch that would work great for you. The both have really excellent jaw designs which provides a really tight and solid connection to the…

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Answer 3

Short bed trucks can make 5th wheel or gooseneck towing tough since they offer less turning clearance than long beds but we do have gooseneck hitch fits for your 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 with 6-1/2-foot bed. The linked diagram shows the…

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Answer 4

Hey Michael, We have some hitch options available but I'll need a bit more information on your Silverado in order to find the correct fit. The available hitches are sectioned out by model (1500, 2500, 3500), bed length, and bumper type. If you…

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Answer 5

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 6

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 7

According to Blue Ox, it'll take an experienced installer about 4 to 5 hours to complete the installation of their #BX1128 Base Plate Kit on a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The install isn't what I'd call super-difficult, but the installation…

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Answer 8

With a 2022 F350 short bed, hitting the top of the bed rails should not be an issue with most campers. Turning clearance however, will certainly be a factor. That is one advantage of the Andersen Ultimate hitch #AM3200, as it provides a 9"…

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Answer 9

No, I am sorry it does not. I just spoke with Lippert and none of the Curt Helux Shock-Absorbing 5th Wheel Pin Box like item #C73RJ are compatible with gooseneck adapters like the Anderson Ultimate 5th Wheel Hitch. You would need to use a standard…

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Answer 10

Hey John, thanks for the picture of your truck bed! To install a set of 5th wheel rails in your 2022 Ram 2500, I recommend the B&W Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails item #BWRVK2602. This set of rails are industry standard so they'll work…

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Answer 11

I spoke with my contact at Trailair and from your serial number we were able to determine that your trailer came with a 1621 HD pin box which is a long pin box style. I was unable to obtain the exact part number for your Trailair pin box but from the…

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Answer 12

Hey Adam, we have just what you are looking for with the B and W fifth wheel rail kit part #BWRVK2402 which is a confirmed fit for your 2017 Ford F-250 and is the industry standard rail design which means it will fit the hitch you have. This is a…

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