Can B&W Companion Slider 5th Wheel Hitch be Slid Back to Accommodate Extreme Driveway Angle Shift

Updated 07/26/2017 | Published 07/24/2017

Question:

I have a 2014 Ram 3500 8foot box. I have an incline in my driveway that flattens out fairly quickly at the top. To accommodate pulling up this incline I am considering a sliding hitch. Currently when the truck reaches the top of the incline the angle of the 5th wheel would cause it to hit the back endgate/box of my truck when the truck reaches the top of the incline and levels out before the trailer starts to level out. Would this hitch handle pulling in this scenario up the incline or is there risk of failure of the hitch and or its mount to the truck in this situation when the hitch is extended.

asked by: Paul

Expert Reply:

Slider 5th wheel trailer hitches such as B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider for Ram Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20K Item # BWRVK3670 are designed to be slid back when making maneuvers. Since what you have described is basically just that it will work fine for your application. You just aren't supposed to do any regular towing with the hitch slid back but low-speed maneuvers off of roads and highways is fine.

expert reply by: Michael H