5th Wheel Hitch Recommended for 2019 Chevy Silverado 3500 Short Bed Without Factory Tow/Prep Package

Expert Reply:

Because you have a short bed you'll want to use a sliding hitch to provide the proper clearance between the front of the 5th wheel and the rear of the truck cab.

For the cleanest installation that wouldn't leave exposed rails in your truck bed, I'd recommend the 20K capacity B&W Companion system, part # BWRVK3400-5W for the Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch and # BWGNRK1016-5W B&W Turnover Ball Gooseneck Hitch which is used as the mounting point for the 5th wheel hitch. The setup is compatible with your RotaFlex pin box, will leave your bed unobstructed once the hitch is removed and will provide the flexibility to tow both gooseneck and 5th wheel trailers. The Companion 5th wheel hitch also easily breaks down into two pieces, making installation and removal much easier.

If having 5th wheel rails permanently mounted in your truck bed doesn't particularly bother you, and you'd prefer something that's a little more budget friendly, The Curt A Series 16K sliding 5th hitch, part # C16521 would be an excellent choice. The A series hitch offers a interlocking jaw system and a dampened hitch head that helps isolate road shock experienced by the 5th wheel from the tow vehicle. For an install rail/bracket kit, use # C16411-204.

If you'd like to install a 7-way trailer connector in the truck bed so you don't need to run the 5th wheel trailer connector cable up over the tailgate, you can easily install one using part # 20110.

I've linked to installation and demonstration videos for the parts mentioned above.

expert reply by: Mike L

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