Do I Need To Use A Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch For 2024 Chevy 3500 Short Bed?
Updated 08/12/2025 | Published 08/07/2025
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Question:
I was wondering if have a companion BandW already but was used in a Ford with BandW under bed goose i now have a 24 Chevy shorted CC . I know I can get a new base for and use my old head but my question is do I have to have a slider style or can I stay with the new fixed base for Chevy puck system . Thanks
asked by: Russell C
Expert Reply:
Hello Russell, good question. We typically recommend the slider for any bed shorter than 8', but it may not be necessary. It really just comes down to your specific truck and trailer combination. With some campers the nose is rounded which helps with turning clearance and the slider is not needed. We are actually seeing this more and more with newer truck where the slider is not needed, even with the short bed.
The best way to determine this without buying the hitch and hooking everything up is to use the following formula:
(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
You should be able to use that to determine if the slider will be needed or not. The correct bases for the B&W Companion and the Chevy puck system are as follows:
- B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider for Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20K # BWRVK3775
- Replacement Base for B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Chevy/GMC - 25,000 lbs # BWRVB3715
- Replacement Base for B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Chevy/GMC - 20,000 lbs # BWRVB3710
What kind of 5th wheel do you have?
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Replacement Base for B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Chevy/GMC - 20,000 lbs
- Accessories and Parts
- 5th Wheel Hitch
- Base
- Companion
- B and W
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Russell
8/12/2025
We use to have a kzm toyhauler and we are now looking at 2019 and newer xlr,wolfpack , toyhaulers