Does anyone have advice on pulling a fifth wheel travel trailer w/ a short bed GMC? I am thinking about buying a fifth wheel trailer. Everything that I have been reading is that it is not a good idea. I don't like the looks of a long bed as much as a short bed.

use a slider hitch. it helps.

(1) Get a 5th with an extended king pin

(2) Slider hitch and your done

I've had mine for three years and yet to use the slider. I've gone past 90degs. You just have to be carefull, watch out, and take your time. Go for it. you won't regret it.:D

Just noticed you have a headache rack. That probably will be a problem.

I smashed out my back window. Twice. Be more careful than I obviously am!

I had same problem. 03 Duramax, short bed, purchased a pullrite hitch and have had no problems with it. Slides back as you turn and allows plenty of clearance for trailer. Costs more $ but cheaper than rear window or body work.
:) Little Roundman

I had same problem. 03 Duramax, short bed, purchased a pullrite hitch and have had no problems with it. Slides back as you turn and allows plenty of clearance for trailer. Costs more $ but cheaper than rear window or body work.
:) Little Roundman


Have to agree here, and who said 5th wheel with shortbed is a bad idea?

I pull a 14k lb 5ver 30ft wiyh short bed. never had a problem. reese hitch. not even a slider. hitch on trailer does extend out, so maybe thats why. I would buy the slider just in case and try a slow turn in a lot to check.

I've been pulling mine for over 4 years and haven't had any issues. I have an extended kingpin, and a slider hitch, but haven't had to use the slider. The biggest improvement I have noticed was ditching the factory shocks, and putting on a set of Bilsteins.

I have been towing my 5th wheel for two seasons with no issues. I did buy a slider hitch but have never needed it yet. Now most (not all) new 5th wheels have notched out corners to help with the turning radius. Just remember to keep an eye out when backing uphill into a campsite. :)

Happy towing!

My Cummins short bed pulled a 12k 5th wheel with no issues at all regarding clearance, and that's just a 6'4" bed rather than the 6'6" bed that come on the GMs.

Now, when people are asking for trouble it's the guys with the Tundra crew cabs and that tiny 5'5" bed, I've seen it:eek::eek:

SB EC 4wd -Pullrite Superglide automatic sliding hitch with 30' Toyhauler fifth wheel into many tight locations go to the link for 3 pictures.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3641649&postcount=66

Mine is a slider after all. I have never used it.

I'm using a goose neck hitch and I had an extender made and welded on, it took about 6" extra to clear the cab.

Pull a 30' Artic Fox, B & W 5th wheel companion hitch setup, no problems with clearance. I think it has alot to do with the trailer. Some seem to set back a little further than others.

I pull a 14k lb 5ver 30ft wiyh short bed. never had a problem. reese hitch. not even a slider. hitch on trailer does extend out, so maybe thats why. I would buy the slider just in case and try a slow turn in a lot to check.

I take it you have a 2500, how does that handle with the 5th wheel going down the fwy? Any wind issues or upper capacity/suspension/brakeing problems? Thanks for any info.

Pull a 24' featherlite livestock with a b&w turnover ball and never had a problem you cant quite turn as sharp as my long bed but works fine

I have done it for 3 years without any problems, I have a slider hitch nad never really have needed it. I think I have only used the slider 3 or 4 times and even then could of got along with out it.
Buy the short bed.

I take it you have a 2500, how does that handle with the 5th wheel going down the fwy? Any wind issues or upper capacity/suspension/brakeing problems? Thanks for any info.

When my truck was in the shop I used a friend's 2500 dmax to pull the in laws 14k loaded tt via 5th wheel. It pulled it very easily and stopped it well to. Only one issue was I liked to slow a little more for corners being used to a dually but other than that handled the load with ease.

So to answer, zero braking suspension or capacity problems but there was around a 10-20percent increase in noticeable wind buffeting but nothing too bad.

I've pulled without a slide for 5 years. Never had an issue.
Both trailers that I've had, had extended pin boxes.

Drives very well. my longest trip is 10 hrs every year and I can hit 80mph with no problems.

Towed several times with a 5th wheel and my shortbed 2500HD. No issues. I have a slider and do slide it when I know I'll be backing into an unlevel area or turning close to 90 degrees. Better safe than sorry.

Thanx for all of the replies

05 GMC CC here, pull a 32 ft 5ver and I have a manual slider. Never use it except to get the 5ver in my driveway, that requires almost a 90 to jack it in place. I don't have an extended pinbox either, just have to remember that it's back there and try to avoid extremely sharp turns, exteme dips and high entrance curbs (like fuel stations). Take those on an angle and no problem.