Recommended No Drill Brackets For 5th Wheel Rails On 2017 Chevy 2500HD

Published 07/31/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Reese Quick-Install Custom Bracket Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches

(67)

$183.19

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 18,000 lbs

(735)

$1795.00

Question:

I need to decide between 2 hitches you sell. What does the hitch you recommended, the Reese Titan 16, provide that the Curt A16 hitch doesn’t provide. In other words what do I get for another $200 in purchase price. Another question. I have a 2017 Silverado 2500hd crew cab, short box (6ft-6 inches). It appears the distance between the pin location and the cab is 36 inches. This is an estimate on my part. I presume you have the exact measurements for your hitches and most trucks. My trailer (Keystone 2008 292RKS) measures from the middle of the pin to the side of the rig, 48.25 inches. Your hitches slide from 9-12 inches. None of these will prevent contact at 90 degrees. Are there hitches that slide a bit more?

asked by: Steve T

Expert Reply:

For your 2017 Chevy Silverado 2500 with 6-1/2 foot bed, I recommend the Reese Quick-Install Custom Bracket Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches # RP50066. These brackets will bolt right into your existing holes in your frame. These will work with industry standard rails like you already have, but I recommend using new hardware for those rails as they are only intended for one time use. I suggest the Replacement Hardware Kit for Fifth Wheel Base Rails - 10 Bolt # RP58430.

If your hitch isn't a sliding hitch, I recommend upgrading to the Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Slider - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs # C16521 or a similar hitch to give you the additional clearance you need for turning with a short bed truck. You may also want to consider adding a second 7-way to the bed of your truck for easier access using the Bargman 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness w/ 7-Pole Plug 9' Long # 50-97-410.

expert reply by: Jason S

Steve

7/31/2017

Jason S.

7/31/2017

The discontinued Reese Titan Slider RP30869 and the Curt A16 Slider # C16521 are both nice sliding hitches with the round tubes for smoother travel without binding. These hitches are confirmed to work with your truck, but 90 degrees is very rare and can jackknife your trailer, so that isn't something that any of the hitches really account for although some trailers are built to better accommodate this. That doesn't mean that you can't make a right turn without issue...I'm talking only about close proximity reverse driving. There are only a few options that give you more travel than the 12 inches and only one that will fit with your rails. It is the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 18,000 lbs # DM8550034. This hitch automatically slides as you drive and take corners. There is never a need to manually adjust the slide, so you can stay in the cab of your truck and make whatever turns are needed.