2025 GMC Sierra 2500 With 5th Wheel Trailer That Sits Too Tall 8" Clearance

Updated 03/17/2026 | Published 03/13/2026

Question:

I just purchased a new 5th wheel that has a Curt Helix pin box. For my 2025 GMC Sierra SLT 2500 6.75 bed, I’m using a Demco Recon Hitch. The problem st the lowest setting on the hitch and pin box, my trailer is still not level. I still have ~ 8 inches clearance between trailer and truck. Will the Curt A25 work with my setup giving me a few more inches lower setting? also, my truck has the OEM 5 th wheel package.

asked by: Jeffrey M

Expert Reply:

Good morning Jeffrey.

To answer your question right away, the Curt A25 for your prep package # C26ZJ would sit about 3-1/2" taller than your current setup, which sounds like would be worse for your situation if I'm understanding you correctly.

The recommended clearance from the trucks' bed rail to 5th wheel overhang is about 4-6". If you are at 8", you should try to get the nose down one way or another for a more level trailer. Adding the Curt hitch would just increase that 8" to about 11-1/2".

When you say the trailer is at the lowest setting along with the hitch, do you mean the pin box is using the lowest or the highest bolt holes where it bolts to the trailer's frame? If you are using the lowest holes setting, that would bring the nose up and increase clearance. If you use the highest holes setting, this would actually bring the nose of the trailer down and decrease clearance.

Let me know some more info if you can and I'm happy to dig into this more for you!

expert reply by: Andrew N

Jeffrey M.

3/17/2026

Thanks for the response! I adjusted the pin box with the highest hole settings and the hitch with the lowest settings to have the trailer nose as far down as possible. One major issue I’m having with my current setup, with the trailer nose a higher than it should be, I get quite a bit of ‘bucking’ between the trailer and the truck. With the Demco hitch connected to a gooseneck ball, the base of the Demco shifts around quite a bit even with greater-than torque spec on the attachment bolts. This makes the trailer very difficult to unhook. Hence, I was hoping a OEM hole pattern hitch attachment would alleviate this problem. Do you have any recommendation on a more suitable hitch for my setup? (2026 Jayco/ Heartland Bighorn 5th wheel). One ‘nice to have’ constraint is ease of hitch removal given I use my truck for hauling hay for my horses. Thanks!

Jeffrey M.

3/17/2026

@JeffreyM Also, I is the Curt A25 without slider have the height issue? My new trailer with rounded front end has quite a bit of clearance when turning sharply.

Andrew N.

3/17/2026

@JeffreyM You're very welcome, and thanks for the added info! So a gooseneck ball will definitely be a little more harsh than using a standard 5th wheel hitch on your prep package puck system. You could use the Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs # C84FR and you'd be all set. This also has a slightly lower height setting at 13", compared to the demo recon adapter you have that has a lowest setting of 15-1/2". That right there should take care of the rest of your nose-high issue!

Andrew N.

3/17/2026

@JeffreyM Hey sorry just saw this after I posted the last comment. I did see your trailer has the tapered front end which means you should be fine with a fixed hitch like I linked in the last comment.