Troubleshooting Pin Box To Tailgate Clearance Issues When Using A Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch

Updated 11/10/2025 | Published 08/01/2021

Question:

BandW slider hitch 2022 gmc3500 6’9” box ?// factory puck when in the slid back position question…. - BandW hitch arms are angled/set forward and on the top bolt pattern - when I slide to the back, there is almost no clearance between the tailgate and 337rls hitch… QUESTION - what am I missing?

asked by: Harry V

Expert Reply:

Moving your B&W Companion Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch to the rear most position will unfortunately place it closer to your tailgate. Since you have a shorter bed the slider is designed to add clearance from the cab but that will unfortunately cut out clearance from your tailgate. Most people who have this issue either leave their tailgate open when making tight turns, swap it out with a net like the # TR-03, or swap it out with a 5th wheel tailgate like the # VGM-07-100 that has a cutout for the pin box.

expert reply by: Kevin C

Mike T.

11/15/2021

I am looking at the B and W 3775 for my 2021 2500 chevy short box...i am reading about tailgate issues, but i dont have the option of trading tailgates, since the locking mechanism and camera are in the tailgate..any suggestions or find another hitch...?

Les D.

11/22/2021

@MikeT Quick question: Does your 2021 Chevy 2500HD (with 82.8" bed length) have the factory prep package?

Mike T.

11/22/2021

@LesD yes... both. They call it the standard box...not the full length

Les D.

11/26/2021

Ok, so you have the 82.8" bed. Does your Chevy have to fifth wheel prep package where the hitch plugs into pucks under the bed?

Allan T.

7/22/2025

Im a B&W hitch and etrailer.com fan and just purchased a patriot slider base from you to replace my patriot permanent base to give me more clearance in backing tight turns. As I slide the hitch to the rear position it only leaves about 1 1/2” clearance from back of pin box to tailgate when tailgate closed. There is about 8” clearance from bottom of Montana overhang 5th wheel to top of bed rails of my 2022 Ram 2500. My question is if 1 1/2” is enough clearance to allow pin box to swing left and right as I tight turn back. If I leave tailgate open I’m afraid it might hit the RV while backing. I possibly could stop tailgate at 1/2 open while backing. What is your recommendation Please?

Jon G.

7/22/2025

@AllanT I'm honestly not sure - you'll be cutting it close though. What I recommend doing is getting everything set up and then trying to maneuver slowly with someone keeping an eye on the bed and tailgate to see if you can make it or not. It isn't uncommon for people to have to remove their tailgate to have enough room so you might end up needing to do that. If you run into clearance issues, the only alternative I know of to removing your tailgate is to install the Gate King # GK37FR which allows you to adjust the tailgate to different heights instead of fully opened or fully closed.

Steven H.

11/10/2025

My challenge is while using the b&w slider hitch when I go up my driveway the trailer would hit the bed of my truck. Is there a way to raise the 5th wheel hitch. I lower the pin wheel hitch on the trailer as far as it Would go.

Kate F.

11/10/2025

@StevenH Hi Steven, it sounds like you’re running into a common issue when using a B&W slider hitch on trucks with taller bed rails and shorter beds. Since you’ve already lowered your trailer’s pin box as far as it will go, the next step is to raise the hitch head on your B&W Companion Slider. This hitch has three vertical height settings, typically 17", 18.25", and 19.5" from the bed floor to the top of the hitch head. Raising the hitch by moving the uprights to the next higher set of holes will increase clearance between the truck bed rails and the underside of the trailer. You’ll want to maintain at least six inches of clearance when level. Keep in mind that raising the hitch could make your trailer ride slightly nose-high, which can affect towing stability and weight distribution. If that happens, you may be able to move the pin box up one set of holes (if there’s room left) or adjust your trailer’s suspension equalizers to help level things out. If you have that is already on the highest setting, I am sorry to say there is no other way to adjust it. Let me know how it works out.