Best Lightweight Fifth Wheel Hitch for 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD To Use With Sidewinder  

Question:

Expert Reply:

We have exactly what you need to use a lightweight fifth wheel hitch and Sidewinder in your 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD with a short bed, and though we do not carry the aluminum Andersen hitch we do know you cannot use rotating pin boxes with this hitch.

Instead I strongly recommend the Demco Recon 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # DM8550043 because it is compatible with a Sidewinder and has a head unit which weighs 50 lbs and a base unit which weighs 50 lbs; this means you can easily remove it from your '18 Sierra 2500 in two pieces.

The Recon is lightweight but is still very strong, with a 21,000 lb capacity and a single-piece jaw that fully wraps around your king pin so you can be confident you have a completely secure connection. The head unit on the Recon is also pivoting which will make it easier for you to couple your fifth wheel.

This hitch fits industry-standard base rails and I recommend a custom install kit, the Curt # C16411-204, because it will not require you to drill into the frame of your '18 GMC to install the brackets like a universal kit will. This also means the install time will be significantly less than with a universal kit.

You can use the Recon # DM8550043 with a Sidewinder though you will need to use Wedge # SWW-05.

As far as clearance, in order to determine if a Sidewinder will allow you to perform a 90 degree turn, you will need to measure the distance from the center of your fifth wheel hitch jaw to your cab (which obviously means you need to have a hitch installed). You will also need to know the width of your 2019 Jayco Eagle. You can then use this formula to find out if you can do a 90 degree turn:

(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from center of 5th-wheel hitch jaw to truck cab in inches
B = Length of Sidewinder arm in inches
C = Width of trailer in inches divided by 2

You will need to have at least 4 inches of clearance to safely execute a 90 degree turn.

To find the correct Sidewinder, what you will need to know is the manufacturer and model number of the pin box on your fifth wheel and match that with the correct replacement. You mentioned you did not know the pin box that comes with the trailer but if you call the manufacturer they will be able to give you that information. If you let me know the manufacturer and model number of your pin box I would be able to find the correct Sidewinder for you.

I have added a link to our entire selection of Sidewinders for you to take a look at as well as a help article on Sidewinders you may find useful.

expert reply by: Kyle S

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James P.

10/31/2018

Kyle, thank you for the quick detailed response. I contacted my RV company and they sent me the attached picture for my pin box (Lippert 1621). Can you tell me if there's a gooseneck style hitch that will also give me the clearance I need for my 6.5 foot bed truck? Is there such a gooseneck automatic slider type hitch? The reason I like the gooseneck style is it seems cleaner looking in the bed, seems easier to drop a ball in rather than into a jaw type hitch. Is the Reese gooseneck coupler also like the sidewinder that gives an extra 22inches? I'm still learning all this terminology so bare with me. Thanks for your help

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Kyle S.

10/31/2018

Happy to help, and unfortunately there is not a gooseneck slider or a gooseneck style hitch that will work. The only possible solution for you is to use Sidewinder # RP34FR which is the correct replacement for your Lippert 1621 pin box. It is understandable that you want a clear bed and you can still do that even with the Demco Recon # DM8550043. What you can do is install an underbed rail kit in your 2018 GMC 2500HD, the Under-Bed Rail and Installation Kit # RP30868 and then use the Reese Elite Series Underbed Rail Adapter for Standard 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches # RP30156. The adapter would be mounted in the underbed rails and you would then mount the Demco Recon hitch in those rails. The adapter # RP30156 is another piece you would need to remove but it is also lightweight at about 50 lbs and it would give your 2018 Sierra a completely clean bed instead of having traditional base rails. I have added links to video reviews of these parts for you to check out as well.

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