Comparing B&W Companion VS Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5TH Wheel Hitches For 2017 Ford F-250 6-1/2' Bed

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Question:

I have a 2017 F250 short bed do you recommend the slider or regular 5 wheel looking at b w companion or auto Deco hijacker

asked by: Jon

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Expert Reply:

I recommend the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # DM8550022 for your 2017 Ford F-250 with the 6-1/2' Bed. With having the Autoslide you will be able to maneuver your trailer in tighter spaces by being able to make a jackknife turn. Since it does not require you to unlock the hitch like many manual sliders to achieve this you will be able to make quicker turns in tight parking lots while on your trips. The Underbed Rail and Installation Kit # DM8551009 will allow you to keep a clean truck bed when you do not need the hitch.

A Demco Hijacker UMS Series Gooseneck Trailer Hitch # DM5988 will work with the underbed rail kit in the event you need to also gooseneck tow.

The B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider # BWRVK3400-5W will also allow you to make jackknife turns but you must get out to unlock the hitch and slide it into the maneuvering position. You must also return it to the towing position by getting out to unlock the hitch again and reposition. If you went with a fixed hitch like the B&W Companion # BWRVK3500-5W you would not have the clearance needed to make a jackknife turn and you also risk damage to your cab and trailer if you accidently went past the limited turning of the hitch. Since the center hitch point on your F-250 is only about 40" from the cab, with an 8' wide trailer you would have about 4" wanting of your trailer wanting to occupy your cab in a jackknife turn. The Custom Underbed Installation Kit # BWGNRK1116-5W would be required for either of the B&W 5th wheel hitches.

Don't forget the Hopkins Endurance 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness # 41157 to add a 7-way connector in the bed of your F-250. This will protect the wiring and connectors from damage that occurs when the cord is stretched over the tailgate down to the bumper connection.

expert reply by: Bud M

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Answer 1

If your 2007 Chevy Silverado 2500HD has a 6-1/2-foot bed you will need a sliding hitch to provide turning clearance for your toy hauler. I recommend the 18K B&W Patriot #BWRVK3270 which features 12-inches of slider travel, 1-inch thick dual jaws…

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Answer 2

Yes, the B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch part #BWRVK3255 will fit your 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD but you will need to use the B&W Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails part #BWRVK2500 for this. Please note, you will need new rails…

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Answer 3

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 4

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 5

Hey Micah! Pacbrake has actually been around for a long time, more than 60 years. We have had customers ask for these air bags in the past, and we've seen them on vehicles coming in. Until now, Firestone has been the go to since their quality is…

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Answer 6

Since the pin weight of your camper is 2.1k, I recommend going with the LoadLifter 5000 opposed to the 7500. While technically there is not reason you couldn't use the 7500 kit, it really is not necessary for a camper like yours. Generally the…

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Answer 7

Hey Jerry, GM moved the placement of their puck systems starting with 2020 models so you are correct that the pucks would have the hitch not sit directly over the axle. GM did the math and made sure that this placement wouldn't adversely affect…

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Answer 8

Choosing the right height setting for your 5th wheel hitch is a combination of a few different variables. First of all you want your towing setup to be as level as possible. With your Montana High Country 340BH level you will want to measure from the…

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Answer 9

Hello Jeff, Sounds like you’ve got a big camper (about 4,000 lbs) on your 2024 F-350 dually, and when it’s loaded, the truck feels bouncy and sways a bit. That’s pretty common with heavy campers, especially if the suspension is still stock.…

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Answer 10

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 11

You do not have to use a sliding 5th wheel hitch in a short bed truck. In many cases, truck beds shorter than 8 ft do not have enough clearance between the trailer and truck to execute sharp turns. This is why sliding hitches were invented. Due to…

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Answer 12

Hey James, welcome back. That B&W item #BWRVK3670 is super reliable but you are not the only one who's had issues with how heavy it is. Love how you have already attempted our go to solution of taking off the lightest portion of the hitch. I…

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Comparing B&W Companion VS Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5TH Wheel Hitches For 2017 Ford F-250 6-1/2' Bed

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