Solution for Towing Both Gooseneck and 5th Wheel Trailers Using Hitch With Under Bed Mounting Rails  

Question:

Expert Reply:

In order to easily tow both 5th wheel and gooseneck trailers and to leave the bed free when the hitches are removed, you'll want to use a Demco Hijacker Autoslide that uses their UMS under bed rails.

For a 21K capacity Hijacker Autoslide hitch, you'll want so use part # DM8550037 with the # DM8551000 rail kit. Once the 5th wheel hitch is removed, you would use the # DM5988 gooseneck hitch which is compatible with the UMS rails.

This option provides a lot of convenience, as the hitch will automatically slide rearward during low-speed turns but the drawback is that the Autoslide hitch is pretty heavy, at at bit less than 300 lbs. The head can be removed to make things a little easier to handle, but even with the 70 lb head removed, you're still looking at about 230 lbs for the base which isn't exactly portable. Even the gooseneck unit is pretty heavy, at a bit less than 100 lbs. If you're working by yourself out on the road, this might not be the most convenient option.

Instead, I'd consider going with the B&W Companion system, which uses their bulletproof # BWGNRK1111-5W Turnover Ball gooseneck hitch as the attachment point for the # BWRVK3400-5W 20K sliding 5th wheel hitch. Other than the fact that the 5th wheel hitch won't auto slide, the hitch is a few pounds lighter, once the 80 lb head is reduced so it'll be a little easier for one person to handle. Once the 5th wheel hitch is removed, the included gooseneck ball will simply install in the socket where the 5th wheel hitch was mounted.

Either hitch option would leave your bed unobstructed once the hitch is removed. You'll want to keep in mind that neither option is compatible with the Reese Revolution or Sidewinder or the Lippert Turning Point rotating pin boxes. A rotating pin box would need to be locked out before using either hitch.

If you need to install a 7-way trailer connector in the truck bed, you can easily do so using part # 20110.

expert reply by: Mike L

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