Are Both Sliding 5th-Wheel Hitch and Sidewinder Needed for 2013 Chevrolet Silverado w/ 5-1/2 Ft Bed  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

The best option for towing a 5th-wheel trailer with your 2013 Chevrolet Silverado with a 5-1/2 foot bed is to use a fixed 5th-wheel trailer hitch along with a Reese Sidewinder Rotating Pin Box.

With a 5-1/2 foot bed, a sliding trailer hitch may not have enough room to slide the necessary length to provide enough turning clearance without coming into contact with your truck's tailgate.

A Sidewinder such as the Reese # RP34FR will replace your trailer's pin box and move the trailer's pivot point an extra 22 inches toward the rear of your Silverado, providing sufficient turning clearance with your 5th-wheel. The Sidewinder Pin Boxes are custom designed to replace standard pin boxes on trailers, so you will need to find the part number of the pin box currently on your 5th-wheel trailer. This will usually be somewhere on the pin box, either on a sticker or stamped to the pin box itself.

For a fixed 5th-wheel trailer hitch, I recommend the Reese M5 # RP30928 along with the Quick-Install Custom Base Rails and Installation Kit # RP50064-58. This 5th-wheel hitch has a weight capacity of 20,000 pounds and a nice forged, single jaw that provides great jaw-to-king-pin contact for greater security and minimal rattle while towing. The custom base rail installation kit will cut down on installation time as no drilling is required to install the frame brackets. I also recommend adding the Reese Sidewinder Wedge # SWW-01. This is a custom wedge for the 5th-Wheel Hitch that will bolt onto the sidewinder to prevent the king pin from rotating in the hitch.

Lastly, I recommend a 5th-Wheel Wiring Harness like the Bargman # 50-97-410. This will provide a 7-way connector in the bed of your truck for easy hookup with your trailer.

expert reply by: Chris R

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