Best 5th Wheel Hitch Setup For 2018 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali Short Bed Without Factory Tow Package

Updated 08/13/2025 | Published 07/30/2025

Products Featured in This Question

B&W Companion Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(580)

$1099.00

B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch w/ Custom Installation Kit - 30,000 lbs

(4443)

$599.00

B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(5032)

$1599.00

Curt 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Custom Wiring Harness w/ 7-Pole Connector - 7' Long

(1030)

$86.95

Question:

Hey! I have a 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali, crew cab, short bed 6.5. It does not have the factory fifth wheel/gooseneck towing package. I am going to be buying a fifth wheel camper and I am looking at the options I have for fifth wheel hitches. I am looking at either paring the Reese RP30158-68 with the BandW Companion RVK3300 or slider version, or the BandW Turnoverball GNRK1016 with the BandW Companion RVK3500 or slider version. I have 2 questions. First, with my truck and looking at purchasing a Grand Design 31MB, would I need a slider hitch? Sacond, of the two combination I have laid out, which would you recommend and why?

asked by: Darik K

Expert Reply:

Hello Darik, thanks for reaching out. Between the two setups you mentioned, the B&W companion setup is definitely the better option. The B&W hitches are just super solid and durable and I recommend them every chance I get. Here is what I recommend for your truck:

- B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch w/ Custom Installation Kit - 30,000 lbs # BWGNRK1016

- B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs # BWRVK3400-5W

The Reese hitch you mentioned has a ball with a latch built into the top of the ball. I typically try to avoid this kind of ball because repeated use over the years can destroy the latch and make the ball difficult to remove. The B&W ball has a wheel-well release which will hold up much better over the years.

Also, you may need the Curt 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Custom Wiring Harness w/ 7-Pole Connector # C56070 if you don't already have a 7-way in your bed.

As far as the slider, we do recommend the slider for any bed shorter than 8'. That said, each truck and camper combination is different, and in a lot of cases the 6-1/2' bed does not require a slider. Especially since a lot of newer campers have a bit of contour to the nose. Aside from hooking up the trailer and testing your turning clearance, you can use the following formula to find out if the slider is needed or not:

(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from the fifth wheel jaw center to the truck cab
B = Offset used (slider clearance or Sidewinder offset)
C = Width of the nose of the trailer divided by 2

expert reply by: Jesse M

Darik K.

8/13/2025

Thanks for the help Jesse! One more question. The fifth wheel I am looking at getting comes with a LCI Turning Point pin box. With the turning point pin box I don't think I will need the slider version. While looking at the BWRVK3500 non-sliding Companion hitch, I noticed a warning to not use this hitch with any device that changes the pivot point of your trailer's king pin. Would this apply to the factory installed Turning Point pin box?

Jesse M.

8/13/2025

@DarikK The # BWRVK3500 hitch would not be compatible with a sidewinder or turning point pin box. Basically the Companion hitch can be used with a turning point, as long as your companion hitch is the kind that attaches to a factory puck system. The # BWRVK3500 is the Companion hitch that attaches to a B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch. The Turnoverball style attachment is not compatible with the sidewinder. Basically it is not strong enough to handle to side to side stress placed on it by the rotating pin box.

Darik K.

8/13/2025

@JesseM Ok, i can see how that would change the forces on the hitch. So with knowing that the trailer will have a turning point pin box, my truck is a 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali, crew cab, short bed 6.5 without the factory fifth wheel/gooseneck puck towing package. what hitch set up would you recommend? I would like to keep a clean bed, so no rails.

Jesse M.

8/13/2025

@DarikK So I can offer a solution for this, but it will involve adding a set of industry standard 5th wheel rails to your bed. That would be the only option for mounting a hitch that will be compatible with the turning point. What I recommend is the following: - Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Chevy/GMC - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs # C53WV This comes with the hitch and the complete rail and install kit. The Cut A series hitches are compatible with rotating pin boxes if used with the wedge part # C16992. This locks out the pin box and prevents it from rotating at the king pin.