Best Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch For A 2023 GMC Sierra 3500 Short Bed

Updated 02/18/2026 | Published 02/09/2026

Products Featured in This Question

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Chevrolet/GMC Prep Package - 21K

(732)

$2225.00

B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider for Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20K

(5259)

$1699.00

B&W 5th Wheel Lifting Device for Companion and Patriot Hitches

(398)

$38.00

Demco 5th Wheel Lifting Bracket

(339)

$59.40

Question:

I have a 3500 gmc denali with a pyck system and a short bed. Im wondering what is the best 5th wheel plate for me. At least 20k. Manual or auto slider and best brand

asked by: William S

Expert Reply:

Hi William!

For the best sliding hitches that will fit that puck system in your 2023 GMC Sierra 3500 short bed, you are going to want to check out the following two American made options:

B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider for Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20K # BWRVK3775

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Chevrolet/GMC Prep Package - 21K # DM29GV

The B&W is a manual slide, but it is by far the easiest one to actuate on the market. I have literally used my pinky finger to move the slide handle when I ran a training on it for new hires here. I very much like these hitches. That said, it is very heavy (251 pounds to be exact). If you are going to be removing it with any kind of frequency, I strongly recommend also grabbing the B&W 5th Wheel Lifting Device # BWRVXA3130. It can be hooked up to a winch or cherry picker/engine hoist or something and it makes removing it significantly easier.

The Demco is the auto sliding option. It is extremely nice and easy to live with, but you may need to get a different set of locking plates depending on your pin box (Glide Ride, Mor Ryde, Trailair Tri Glide, Trailair Flexair, Rhino, Rota Flex, Lippert Road Armor, and 5th Airborne). This is also even heavier than the B&W hitch, weighing in at 322 pounds. They also have the Lifting Bracket # DM6100 to help with removal, but I tend to only really recommend this hitch if someone is adamant about needing/wanting an auto slide or if they say they are going to be towing full time. Not that this isn't a great hitch or anything, it's just not the easiest thing in the world to move around.

These are the best two sliding option on the market in my opinion and I think you would be very happy with either. You will just need to weigh the pros and cons between them to figure out which you would prefer. If you come up with any questions while doing so, just let me know!

Oh, what kind of 5th wheel are you going to be towing?

expert reply by: Lazer S

Anthony

2/13/2026

Hey William, I would like to help you with this. I have a 2020 GMC 2500 Denali and pull a 42 foot fifth wheel. When I got the truck, I didn't realize my hitch would not fit in the puck system so I ended up with the B & W because that was all they could get at the time. I had to fight with it all the time. When I had enough I started doing some research and found the Demco autoslide hitch. I saw it was a couple hundred more than other ones, but i wanted to know that when I needed the extra room, the hitch automatically made the adjustment rather than me getting out of the truck each time. THE BEST DECISION I MADE. They shipped it and I had to assemble it and that was easy, even for me to follow. I had a Grand Design and then traded for a Keystone Montana. PERFECT on either one. The difference i found is you measure the kingpin box and then set the fifth wheel so the king pin box slides in between the guided. When we traded fifth wheels, I made a very small adjustment and it hooked right up. This is the third hitch I purchased and I believe this will be the last one. This hitch will make your hooking up, pulling, and unhooking much easier and you do not have to worry about it. When I got it, I hooked up to the camper and wanted to see what degree could I put the camper at versus the truck and I was able to get more than 90 degrees from the truck and it slid back just like it should. If I had to do it all over again, I would buy it again. I could not be any happier. I hope that helps you make the decision. Anthony

Lazer S.

2/18/2026

@Anthony Heck of an endorsement for the Demco! They really are great hitches and I am glad this one is serving you well! Have fun out there and let us know if there is anything we can help with down the road! ^___^