Fifth Wheel Hitch Recommendation for 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 5-1/2 foot Bed

Published 03/10/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 13,000 lbs

(768)

$2145.00

Demco Premier Series Above-Bed Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Hitches

(4)

$453.95

Firestone Air Command Heavy Duty Air Compressor - Analog - Single Path

(393)

$520.57

Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs - Double Convoluted - Rear Axle

(3267)

$594.12

Question:

I’m looking to purchase a fifth wheel for the first time. I have a 2018 Silverado 4x4 crewcab with 5 1/2 foot box. Trailer will be a Escape at 5500lbs wet so I was looking at the Demco Recon 21K, bed rail kit, and Firestone Rite Rite air bags. Thoughts? Recommendations?

asked by: Wayne

Expert Reply:

Since you have a 5-1/2 foot bed you will need a slider hitch that moves more than standard slider hitches so that you have enough clearance to make tight turns. Otherwise the nose of the trailer will hit the rear cab of the truck.

There's only one sliding hitch option that would have enough clearance for this with the Demco Hijacker Auto Slide 13k part # DM8550040 as it automatically slides back 22-1/2 inches as you make tight turns. Then for a rail kit that is custom fit for your truck you'd want the Demco kit part # DM8552027-71 and you'd be set.

Then for an air bag kit from Firestone the correct fit is the # F2430. I attached an install video for this for you to check out as well.

For a compressor kit then the heavy duty part # F2097 will make inflating the bags and maintaining them very easy. The compressor will inflate faster than standard compressors and the gauge inside the vehicle will allow you to monitor and inflate them from inside the vehicle as well.