Best 5th Wheel Setup For Full Bed Access On 2023 GMC Sierra 2500 6.5' Bed Without OEM Prep Package

Updated 11/04/2025 | Published 10/27/2025

Products Featured in This Question

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Chevy/GMC - Single Jaw - Underbed - 21,000 lbs

(712)

$2746.48

B&W Companion Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Turnoverball for Chevy/GMC - Dual Jaw - 20K

(5052)

$2298.00

Question:

My 2023 GMC sierra 2500 duramax with crew cab and 6 1/2’ bed didn’t come with fifth wheel prep package. What do you recommend as an aftermarket setup that will be a smooth tow that can easily be removed and not have the rails left in the bed cause I am frequently using my bed and don’t want to damage the rails or have them in the way? Does it also need to be a slider hitch cause if the short bed because I hear from both sides saying it does but another will say it doesn’t need to be a slider if it’s a new camper

asked by: Justin R

Expert Reply:

Hello Justin, thanks for reaching out. The best way to add a 5th wheel setup to your bed and still have full bed access is with a B&W Turnoverball/Companion hitch setup. I recommend the following:

- B&W Companion Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Turnoverball for Chevy/GMC - Dual Jaw - 20K # BW45SR

The mounting kit for this hitch is actually a B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch. The Companion 5th wheel hitch installs into the gooseneck ball hole. So when the hitch is removed, you have full bed access with no rails. You will also be set up for gooseneck towing if you ever need to.

The companion hitch is 20K rated and is one of the best quality hitches on the market today. I do recommend going with the slider since you have the short bed, although depending on your truck and camper combination, it may or may not be needed. A lot of new campers have a curved nose that helps with turning clearance. I have seen a lot of cases where the 6-1/2' bed does not require a slider, but the only good way to know would be to install the hitch and see for yourself. There is a formula we use to help determine clearance, but this would usually be measured after the in-bed hitch was installed. Take a look at this:

(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

Or if you are unsure, just get the slider. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. The only downside of the companion hitch is the lifting weight of the hitch itself. Altogether is weighs about 275 lbs. You can easily remove the head unit from the base, which by itself weighs about 70 lbs, so this does help with lifting. Even so, this will definitely be your best option for adding a 5th wheel system without putting rails in the bed.

What kind of camper are you getting?

expert reply by: Jesse M

B&W Companion Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Turnoverball for Chevy/GMC
(click to enlarge)

Justin R.

11/2/2025

Thanks for your help. I’m getting an Alliance 32A10.

Jesse M.

11/4/2025

@JustinR Nice! The B&W hitch will handle that like a champ. Looking at those online it appears the nose does have some curvature built in to help on those tight turns so the slider may not be needed but I still can't really give you a firm yes or no answer. You would need to either measure the camper, or just hook things up and see