The best fifth wheel hitches for short bed trucks are sliding hitches that move the kingpin pivot rearward during tight turns, and the strongest all-round pick in this group is the B&W Companion RVK3500 because it couples and uncouples on its own, articulates on two axes, and carries a limited lifetime warranty. If your bed measures under about seven feet from the bulkhead to the tailgate, the trailer nose will otherwise swing into the cab somewhere around 90 degrees of turn.

That single fact drives the whole category. A fifth wheel trailer pivots on a kingpin, and the pivot sits directly over or slightly behind the rear axle. On a long bed that works fine. On a short bed the fixed pivot is too far forward, so the front corner of the trailer cuts toward the cab during a tight maneuver and the trailer may contact the truck. Repairs run into the thousands, and the real damage usually shows up on the trailer nose and the cab pillar rather than on a replaceable trim piece.

We spent time with all seven hitches below, read the owner reports, and compared GTW ratings, mounting systems, component weights, and warranty terms. To narrow the list for your own truck, three answers matter: your trailer GVWR from the VIN plate, your bed length measured from the bulkhead to the tailgate, and what bed prep you already have, whether that is factory pucks, aftermarket bed rails, or nothing at all.

One honest note before the picks. The strongest manual sliders in this category did not make the final lineup, so what you will read here leans on two automatic sliders and a group of fixed or gooseneck-ball-mounted hitches. That is not a ranking of the whole market. It is what we could stand behind with real owner data behind it, and the general fifth wheel hitch guide covers the wider category if you want the full picture.

Table of Contents

Top 3 Fifth Wheel Hitches For Short Bed Trucks (October 2026)

EDITOR'S CHOICE
Companion RVK3500

Companion RVK3500

★★★★★★★★★★4.8
  • 20000 lb GTW
  • Cam-action latch
  • Polyurethane bushings
  • Limited lifetime warranty
BUDGET PICK
CURT E16 16115

CURT E16 16115

★★★★★★★★★★4.4
  • 16000 lb capacity
  • Dual-axis pivot
  • Single-handle lock
  • Anti-rattle skid plate
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

Every Short Bed Fifth Wheel Hitch in 2026 Compared

ProductSpecificationsAction
B&W Companion RVK3500B&W Companion RVK3500
  • 20000 lb GTW and 5000 lb VTW
  • Fully articulating head
  • Cam-action latch
  • Converts between gooseneck and fifth wheel
Check Latest Price
Andersen Ultimate Connection 3220Andersen Ultimate Connection 3220
  • 24000 lb GTWR and 4500 lb tongue weight
  • Only 37 lb per the manufacturer
  • Remote latching cable from outside the bed
  • Two height settings
Check Latest Price
CURT E16 16115CURT E16 16115
  • 16000 lb capacity
  • Dual-axis pivot with 10 degrees of lateral movement
  • Single-handle automatic lock
  • Anti-rattle skid plate
Check Latest Price
PullRite SuperGlide 2900PullRite SuperGlide 2900
  • 20000 lb trailer weight
  • 14 inches of fully automatic slide
  • Locking jaw closes automatically
  • Capture plate required for the sliding cam
Check Latest Price
PullRite SuperGlide 2700PullRite SuperGlide 2700
  • 15000 lb capacity
  • 14 inches of automatic slide
  • Works with industry standard base rails
  • Locking jaw closes automatically
Check Latest Price
B&W 25K Companion RVK3305B&W 25K Companion RVK3305
  • 25000 lb GTW and 6250 lb VTW
  • Fits the Ford OEM puck platform
  • No bed rail drilling required
  • Fully articulating head
Check Latest Price
PullRite SuperLite 2600PullRite SuperLite 2600
  • 20000 lb GTW
  • Offset ball-mount base
  • Visible from the cab during hookup
  • High-grade steel construction
Check Latest Price
We earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

Two things in that table are worth flagging before you read the individual reviews. First, the mounting systems are not interchangeable: a Ford puck hitch will not fit a Ram bed, and a ball-mounted unit will not fit rails without an adapter plate. Second, three of these seven convert between gooseneck and fifth wheel use, which matters more than most shoppers expect for a short bed where bed space is at a premium.

1. B&W Companion RVK3500 – Best Overall Short Bed Fifth Wheel Hitch

EDITOR'S CHOICE
B&W Trailer Hitches Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch – RVK3500

B&W Trailer Hitches Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch – RVK3500

4.8★★★★★★★★★★
Specifications
20000 lb GTW
5000 lb vertical load
Alloy steel, powder coated
Gooseneck and fifth wheel
Limited lifetime warranty

Pros

  • Cam-action latch confirms the kingpin is captured
  • Articulating head handles uneven campsites
  • Polyurethane bushings keep the ride quiet
  • Converts between gooseneck and fifth wheel in minutes

Cons

  • Heavy to lift into and out of the bed
  • Instructions need a torque wrench and close reading
  • Some shipments arrived with an incomplete hardware bag and missing washers
We earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

This is the hitch we would put in our own bed first. The Companion mounts on a standard gooseneck ball, so it drops into a short bed and leaves the rails option open, and it captures the kingpin with a cam-action handle that gives you both a visual and an audible confirmation that the jaws are closed. That confirmation matters more on a short bed than the spec sheet suggests, because the tight maneuvers that scare people are exactly the moments when you want certainty.

The head articulates front to back and side to side, which is what makes hookup manageable on a sloped or gravel campsite pad. Thick one-inch jaws wrap the kingpin on all sides, and the polyurethane bushings take the harshest of the road noise out of the connection. Owners on RV owner forums describe it as the quietest hitch they have run, and one owner in a camping group put it plainly: keep the hitch in the truck and it stays quiet, which is the whole point when you are not swapping trailers every weekend.

B&W Trailer Hitches Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch - RVK3500 customer photo 1

The honest drawback is weight. This is not a 37-pound adapter you can toss in the bed on a lunch break, and multiple owners describe loading and unloading as a two-person job. Assembly also asks more of you than the handle suggests: the hardware needs a torque wrench and the instructions reward a careful read, and a few buyers reported an incomplete hardware bag on arrival, so count the washers before you start.

B&W Trailer Hitches Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch - RVK3500 customer photo 2

Why it works for short bed owners?

The offset ball-mount base keeps the pivot point as far rearward in the bed as the design allows, which buys back some of the clearance a fixed rail-mounted head would give up. Combined with the articulating head, that means tight campground loops and gas station forecourts are workable without a slider.

It is also the most flexible unit here. Owners convert it back to a gooseneck setup for a gooseneck trailer, and the limited lifetime warranty from a manufacturer based in the United States is the strongest warranty term across this group.

Where it falls short?

If your trailer is heavy, note that the 20000 lb GTW rating with a 5000 lb vertical load is a mid-class rating rather than a heavy-duty one. Pair it with a trailer whose GVWR sits well under that number.

And if you back up every single day into the same tight site, a hitch that does not slide is giving up the margin an automatic slider provides. This is the best-built choice, not the only correct one.

Check Latest Price on Amazon We earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

2. Andersen Ultimate Connection 3220 – Best for Solo Travelers Who Move the Hitch

Specifications
24000 lb GTWR
4500 lb tongue weight
Listed at 37 lb, aluminum
Remote latching cable

Pros

  • Light enough for one-person install in under 5 minutes
  • Remote latch means no climbing into the bed
  • Two height settings fit most trucks and trailers
  • SAE tested and certified

Cons

  • Ball connection leaves a little slop at the kingpin sleeve
  • Aluminum feels lighter than comparable steel hitches
We earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

This is the answer to the most common short bed complaint we heard, which is not clearance at all. It is that a heavy hitch turns a normal pickup into a truck you cannot use for anything else. The Gen 3 Ultimate Connection is listed by the manufacturer at 37 pounds, and the full install or removal is a one-person job you can finish in under five minutes.

The remote latching cable is the feature owners mention most. You connect and disconnect the fifth wheel from outside the bed instead of climbing in to reach the latch, which is both faster and safer on a truck with high suspension. Two height settings, 17-9/16 inch and 19-9/16 inch from the bed to the top of the ball mount, cover most truck and trailer combinations, and the compact 3-1/4 inch offset base leaves more usable bed length than a full rail-mounted slider.

Andersen Hitches Gen 3 Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection Gooseneck Adapter 24000 lb GTWR 4500 lb Tongue SAE Certified - 3220 customer photo 1

At 24000 lb GTWR and 4500 lb of tongue weight, the ratings cover most travel trailers and mid-size fifth wheels. Owners report smooth, secure towing on rigs up to roughly 12500 lb, and the ball-style connection adds a little theft resistance while the truck is parked at a trailhead.

Andersen Hitches Gen 3 Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection Gooseneck Adapter 24000 lb GTWR 4500 lb Tongue SAE Certified - 3220 customer photo 2

Why it works for short bed owners?

On a 5.5-foot half-ton box, every inch of bed you do not give up to a rail system is cargo space you keep. This hitch installs on a ball, leaves the bed mostly open, and gives you a rated capacity that covers a lot of trailers.

For anyone moving a truck and trailer between a Ford, a Ram, and a GM on different weekends, the ball mount is the simplest path because it is not tied to a proprietary puck pattern.

Where it falls short?

The conical ball connection has a small amount of slop when you line the kingpin sleeve up, and a few owners add safety chains out of habit because of it. The aluminum body also feels less substantial than a comparable steel hitch, and it will not fit over the raised rails of a factory puck system without an adapter.

Check Latest Price on Amazon We earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

3. CURT E16 16115 – Best Budget Pick for a Lightweight Short Bed Setup

BUDGET PICK
CURT 16115 E16 5th Wheel Hitch, 16,000 lbs

CURT 16115 E16 5th Wheel Hitch, 16,000 lbs

4.4★★★★★★★★★★
Specifications
16000 lb capacity
Powder coated alloy steel
95.1 lb
Dual-axis pivot

Pros

  • Lowest cost way into fifth wheel towing
  • Dual-axis pivot gives 10 degrees of lateral movement
  • Single-handle automatic lock is simple to operate
  • Anti-rattle skid plate cuts road noise

Cons

  • 16000 lb rating is the lowest here
  • Less articulation makes unlevel hookup more demanding
  • Some reports of play and noise in the jaw over long hauls
We earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

The E16 is the hitch we recommend to a first-time fifth wheel owner on a short bed who is towing something modest and does not want to spend serious money on the experiment. It is a fixed hitch, not a slider, so it is only the right answer if your trailer is small enough and your maneuvering is patient enough. The rating spread in the reviews is wider than for the premium hitches, and the complaints cluster around noise and play at the kingpin.

What it does well is straightforward. The head pivots on two axes for 10 degrees of lateral movement, which helps you line the jaw up on a kingpin that is not perfectly centered, and the automatic lock operates from a single handle. The anti-rattle skid plate is a genuinely useful detail on washboard roads, where most of the noise people blame on a fifth wheel actually originates.

CURT 16115 E16 5th Wheel Hitch, 16,000 lbs customer photo 1

It is also compatible with kingpin extension boxes, including common pivoting pin boxes, which matters if your plan is to solve clearance from the trailer side instead of the truck side. At 95.1 pounds it is heavy enough to feel stable and light enough that one determined person can handle it.

CURT 16115 E16 5th Wheel Hitch, 16,000 lbs customer photo 2

Why it works for short bed owners?

On a half-ton with a 5.5-foot bed pulling a small travel trailer, a fixed hitch paired with an extended pin box can be cheaper and simpler than a slider. The E16 gives you the truck-side half of that combination at the lowest cost in the roundup.

The 10 degrees of lateral pivot are the most useful spec here for campsite alignment, since most hookup frustration is side-to-side, not fore-and-aft.

Where it falls short?

At 16000 lb, the E16 leaves no room for growth. If you ever move up to a heavier trailer, you are replacing the hitch and possibly the truck’s capacity with it.

It also does not slide, so on a genuinely short bed with a tall nose cone the clearance margin is thin. Plan on backing up carefully and measuring first.

Check Latest Price on Amazon We earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

4. PullRite SuperGlide 2900 – Best Automatic Slider for 20000 LB Trailers

BEST FOR 20000 LB TRAILERS
PULLRITE Pulliam Enterprises 2900 Superglide 20,000

PULLRITE Pulliam Enterprises 2900 Superglide 20,000

4.6★★★★★★★★★★
Specifications
20000 lb trailer weight
14 inches of automatic slide
18.5 inch hitch height
Capture plate required

Pros

  • Automatic slide removes clearance guesswork
  • Locking jaw closes on its own around the kingpin
  • Owners report no clanks or clunks in normal towing
  • Good clearance reported with a 44 foot camper

Cons

  • Substantial weight makes removal a chore
  • Torquing the frame bolts needs a large wrench and extension
  • Capture plate is a separate purchase
  • One owner reported a weld failure after extended use
We earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

This is the hitch that does the short bed job without asking you to think about it. Fourteen inches of fully automatic slide moves the kingpin rearward as you steer into a turn and returns it over the rear axle on the highway, and the locking jaw closes on its own once the kingpin is in place. There is no latch check, no remembering to back the truck up first, and no wedge to fit.

Owners describe the actual towing experience as quiet, with no clanks or clunks in normal use, and several report good clearance even with a 44-foot camper behind a 2500 HD. The hitch stands 18.5 inches to the top of the hitch plate, which is a useful number when you are matching height to a trailer that has a tall landing gear frame.

PULLRITE Pulliam Enterprises 2900 Superglide 20,000 customer photo 1

Two purchase details matter here more than the price does. First, a capture plate is required to activate the sliding cam, and it is not included. Second, torquing the large frame bolts takes a serious torque wrench with a long extension, which is the step most installers underestimate and the source of the negative reviews on this unit.

PULLRITE Pulliam Enterprises 2900 Superglide 20,000 customer photo 2

Why it works for short bed owners?

Automatic travel is the entire argument. The slide happens during the turn rather than before it, so a distracted driver still gets the clearance, and there is no way to be caught out in a tight spot with the hitch in the forward position.

At 20000 lb of trailer weight it covers the middle of the market, which is where most short bed fifth wheel owners sit with a camper in the 14 to 18 thousand pound range.

Where it falls short?

Weight is the recurring complaint, and it is real: when you want the bed back for a furniture run or a load of mulch, this hitch has to come out first. One owner also reported a weld failure on a tubular component after extended use, a single report, but worth knowing given how much steel is carrying the load.

Check Latest Price on Amazon We earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

5. PullRite SuperGlide 2700 – Best Automatic Slider for Industry Standard Rails

BEST FOR RAIL-BASED SHORT BEDS
Pulliam 2700 15K Superglide Short Bed Hitch for Industry Standard Base Rail

Pulliam 2700 15K Superglide Short Bed Hitch for Industry Standard Base Rail

4.2★★★★★★★★★★
Specifications
15000 lb capacity
14 inches of automatic slide
177 lb
Industry standard base rails

Pros

  • 14 inches of automatic slide solves short bed clearance
  • Works with industry standard base rails and no proprietary puck system
  • Locking jaw closes automatically around the kingpin

Cons

  • 177 lb makes install and removal a two-person job
  • Rating sits below the rest of this group
  • 15000 lb rating limits future trailer growth
  • Capture plate required to activate the sliding cam
We earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

The difference between this and the 2900 is the mounting system and the rating. The 2700 works with industry standard base rails, so your truck does not need a proprietary puck system, which makes it the more portable of the two if you ever change trucks. The 14 inches of automatic slide does the same job as the 2900 and is the reason this hitch exists in the category at all.

Review volume is thinner here than for the other hitches, so treat the owner pattern with some caution. The positive theme is consistent: the automatic slide solves short bed clearance without a proprietary rail system. The negative theme is the physical bulk a slider design brings into the bed, and at 177 pounds this is the heaviest unit we measured in this roundup.

Pulliam 2700 15K Superglide Short Bed Hitch for Industry Standard Base Rail customer photo 1

Its rating distribution is the weakest here, with a 12 percent one-star share against 90-plus percent fives on the B&W units. A share like that usually reflects installation friction rather than a design fault, and the friction on a slider is the removal and reinstallation cycle.

Pulliam 2700 15K Superglide Short Bed Hitch for Industry Standard Base Rail customer photo 2

Why it works for short bed owners?

Industry standard rails are the common denominator across truck brands, so this is the slider to buy when your bed is already rail-ready or when you plan to move the hitch between trucks. The automatic slide removes the decision from the driver’s seat entirely.

For a 5.5-foot half-ton box pulling a smaller fifth wheel, the clearance this buys is usually more than enough.

Where it falls short?

15000 lb is a modest ceiling, and if you are shopping for a trailer you do not own yet, buying the smaller rating to save money is a false economy. Check your trailer GVWR on the VIN plate first.

At 177 pounds, plan for two people on install and removal, and check that your payload figure still leaves room for the hitch, the tongue load, and your passengers.

Check Latest Price on Amazon We earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

6. B&W 25K Companion RVK3305 – Best for Trucks With the Factory Ford Puck System

Specifications
25000 lb GTW
6250 lb vertical load
161 lb
Fits the Ford OEM platform

Pros

  • Factory-style fit for the Ford OEM puck platform with no bed rail drilling
  • Cam-action latch makes it obvious when the kingpin is captured
  • Articulating head eases hookup on uneven ground
  • 25000 lb rating leads this group

Cons

  • 161 lb makes it hard to install or remove alone
  • Only fits trucks with the Ford OEM hitch platform
We earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

If your truck came from the factory with the Ford puck platform, this is the cleanest path we found. The hitch drops into the existing mounting points with no drilling and no separate bed rails, and it carries the highest rating in the group at 25000 lb GTW with 6250 lb of vertical load. The cam-action latch and fully articulating head are the same proven design as the RVK3500.

Owners rate it among the highest in the category, with the latch confirmation and the articulating head driving nearly all the praise. As with the rest of the B&W line, the recurring practical drawback is weight, and at 161 pounds this is the second-heaviest unit here.

B&W Trailer Hitches 25K Companion OEM Fifth Wheel Hitch - Compatible with Ford OEM Puck System - RVK3305 customer photo 1

The limitation is compatibility, and it is a hard one. Puck systems are brand and year specific, so an OEM hitch built for the Ford platform will not fit a Ram or a Chevrolet bed, and GM changed its puck pattern partway through a model run. Confirm your platform before ordering.

B&W Trailer Hitches 25K Companion OEM Fifth Wheel Hitch - Compatible with Ford OEM Puck System - RVK3305 customer photo 2

Why it works for short bed owners?

A factory fit means no bed rails to install, which saves both money and bed length in a short box. For a Super Duty short box with pucks already installed, that is the shortest path from truck to towing.

The 25000 lb rating also gives you the most headroom in the roundup, which matters if the trailer you are shopping for is at the top of the class.

Where it falls short?

It is truck-specific, so it is a poor choice if you rotate between vehicles. And at 161 pounds it is not a one-person install, which undercuts the main advantage the ball-mounted B&W offers.

Check Latest Price on Amazon We earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

7. PullRite SuperLite 2600 – Best Short Bed Hitch That Keeps More Bed Space

BEST WITHOUT A SLIDER
PullRite 2600 Superlite Single Point Attachment Fifth Wheel Hitch

PullRite 2600 Superlite Single Point Attachment Fifth Wheel Hitch

4.5★★★★★★★★★★
Specifications
20000 lb GTW
130 lb
Offset ball-mount base
High-grade steel

Pros

  • Offset design preserves turning radius and bed cargo space
  • Single point ball connection is visible from the cab
  • Hooks up from any angle without a tug test
  • Steel construction feels noticeably sturdier than aluminum

Cons

  • Set screws sit deep and are hard to reach with standard wrenches
  • Installation instructions list incorrect wrench sizes
  • Needs a separate isolator for flexible pin boxes
  • Some units arrived with missing bolts and release pins
We earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

The SuperLite is the pick for short bed owners who refuse to give up bed length for a slider. Its offset single point ball-mount base keeps the pivot position tight and preserves both turning radius and the forward part of the bed where a slide would otherwise live. It is frequently recommended to short bed owners for exactly that reason, and at 20000 lb GTW the rating is well above the entry hitches here.

The steel construction is a differentiator against the aluminum adapters in this category, and owners notice the difference. Because the ball connection is visible from the cab, you can confirm it is locked without climbing in, and it hooks up from any angle rather than requiring the kingpin to arrive at a perfect approach angle.

PullRite 2600 Superlite Single Point Attachment Fifth Wheel Hitch customer photo 1

Installation is where the complaints live. The set screws on the ball socket sit deep in the frame and are hard to reach with standard wrenches, and the printed instructions list wrench sizes that do not match what comes in the box. Several owners also reported hardware arriving scuffed or missing bolts and release pins, so inventory the hardware before you start.

PullRite 2600 Superlite Single Point Attachment Fifth Wheel Hitch customer photo 2

Why it works for short bed owners?

No slide means no tail swing penalty and no heavy rail structure taking up bed length. For a half-ton with a 5.5-foot box, that cargo space is often the difference between taking two trips and taking one.

Multiple safety chain attachment points are built into the hitch, which is a detail worth checking against your own preferences before you secure the trailer.

Where it falls short?

It is heavier than the competing gooseneck-to-fifth wheel adapters, and at 130 pounds it is not a casual install. If you tow a flexible pin box such as a Rota-Flex style unit, you need a separate kingpin isolator, and mixing a multi-directionally mobile pin box with this hitch is the pairing owners report needing the most care.

Check Latest Price on Amazon We earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

Do You Actually Need a Slider on a Short Bed?

Sometimes you do not, and the counter-narrative is real. One owner on a 6.75-foot bed running no slider at all reports zero clearance issues, noting that the trailer simply contacts the cab at a closer point than a long box would. That is a genuine experience, and for some pairings it is the right answer.

Owners also raise a question you should settle early: is the hitch staying in the truck or coming out every trip? A hitch that lives in the bed permanently means the truck is a tow vehicle first, and every other use is compromised. A light ball-mounted adapter that comes out in minutes keeps the truck a truck, and that is a tradeoff owners in camping groups weigh deliberately rather than accidentally.

The clearance number itself is a moving target. It changes with the trailer, the hitch height, and the suspension, which is why measuring your own rig beats any generic chart. Two people with the same truck and the same trailer can get different answers depending on how the bed is loaded and how the pin box is set.

Measure before you buy. If your bed is 7 feet or longer, a fixed hitch with a good articulating head is usually workable without a slider. The slider conversation starts in earnest below about 6.75 feet, and it becomes mandatory territory on a 5.5-foot half-ton box, where the pivot point is pulled forward the furthest relative to the trailer nose.

The tradeoff nobody mentions is what a slide costs you. Sliding the hitch rearward by 14 inches moves the whole trailer back, which means more tail swing on every maneuver and less rear visibility. On a short bed, tail swing is the objection owners raise most often, and it is the reason a ball-mounted fixed hitch is a defensible choice for careful drivers.

Weight is the second cost. The automatic sliders in this roundup run from about 130 to 177 pounds, and every pound comes directly out of the payload budget you need for the tongue load, passengers, and cargo. On a half-ton, a heavy hitch plus a 15 to 25 percent tongue weight can eat a meaningful share of the sticker on the door jamb.

How to Test Your Own Cab Clearance in an Empty Lot?

Do this before you spend anything, in an empty parking lot with no traffic, and give yourself twenty minutes. Bring the trailer if you can, and if not, measure the trailer first and work from numbers.

  1. Park the rig straight and measure the distance from the back of the cab to the closest point on the trailer nose with the hitch fully forward.

  2. Mark that clearance number somewhere you can see it from the driver’s seat.

  3. Back into the tightest turn the lot allows, slowly, with a spotter outside, and note the point where the nose comes closest to the cab.

  4. Add a margin of at least 4 inches to whatever you measured, and treat anything tighter than that as a reason to move to a sliding or offset design.

Set the trailer parking brakes before you ever get out and adjust anything, and use wheel chocks on the drive wheels. It takes five minutes and it converts the most expensive guess in this whole category into a fact.

How to Choose a Fifth Wheel Hitch for a Short Bed Truck?

Start with the trailer, not the truck. Read the GVWR on the VIN plate inside the trailer, not the dry weight on the brochure, and pick a hitch rated above that number with room to spare. Then match the hitch to the truck’s bed prep, because that is where most return shipments happen.

Bed prep comes in three flavors. Factory pucks are a truck-specific mounting system, and they are not interchangeable between brands or, in some cases, between model years. Aftermarket bed rails are the universal option and pair with slider-style hitches. A gooseneck ball is the most flexible, and it accepts the fixed and convertible hitches that let you keep your bed usable.

Then think about how often you will move the hitch. A 37-pound ball-mounted adapter comes out in under five minutes alone. A 161-pound puck-mounted hitch is a two-person job with a wrench. If you use the bed for anything other than towing, weight is a daily quality-of-life issue and it deserves more thought than most buyers give it.

Slide travel is worth more attention than most buyers give it. The automatic sliders here move 14 inches, which is enough to change the geometry of a turn, but a slider that travels farther costs you more tail swing and more bed length. Match the travel to the shortest bed you actually tow from rather than buying the longest throw available.

Weight rating classes are simpler than manufacturers make them sound. A 16000 lb hitch covers light travel trailers, a 20000 lb hitch covers the middle of the fifth wheel market, and a 25000 lb hitch covers heavy campers and the trailers people plan to keep for twenty years. The number on the hitch should always sit above the GVWR on the trailer VIN plate.

Finally, check the payload math against the door jamb sticker. The tongue carries roughly 15 to 25 percent of the loaded trailer weight, and the hitch itself adds its full weight at the same time. Buyers who ignore both numbers end up overloading a truck that looked fine on paper.

Our gooseneck hitch guide for farm trucks covers the ball-mount side in more depth if that is the direction you are leaning, and the fifth wheel hitch guide for hauling breaks down the fixed head options by trailer class.

What to Check Before You Order a Hitch?

The most common purchase failures in this category are not about the hitch at all. They are about what arrives in the box, and every one of them shows up repeatedly in owner reports across this group.

Check whether the hitch head arrives separately from the base, because several retailers pack them in different cartons and owners have reported opening a second box days later only to find it empty. Check that the hardware bag is complete, since missing washers and mismatched nut sizes have blocked assembly for more than one buyer.

Check whether the hitch needs a capture plate to activate its mechanism. The SuperGlide models will not slide without one, and owners have bought the hitch first and discovered the plate later.

Confirm the mounting system against your truck, and confirm the height adjustment range against your trailer. Ball-mounted hitches with two height settings fit most combinations, but not all, and discovering a mismatch after the hitch is installed is a bad afternoon.

Trailer-Side Alternatives to a Slider Hitch

Some short bed owners solve clearance from the trailer instead of the truck. A rotational pin box lets the kingpin rotate through a wide arc as you turn, which pushes the trailer nose out and away from the cab. A sidewinder or turning point style unit is the best-known version of this idea.

It is not a like-for-like substitute for a slider, and the difference is easy to miss. A rotational pin box moves the trailer nose through a large arc, while a slider moves the entire rig rearward. The clearance you recover is not the same, and a rotational pin box can fight a hitch head that already moves in several directions, which is why some owners add a lockout kit.

The simpler option is an extended pin box, and one owner on a camping forum reported the Reese gooseneck extender pushing the trailer back 4 inches and raising it 1.5 inches, which he described as working amazingly. Before going that route, ask the trailer manufacturer, because some will not honor a frame warranty once the pin box has been extended or modified.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best automatic sliding 5th wheel hitch for a short bed truck?

The PullRite SuperGlide 2900 is the best automatic slider in this group for most short bed owners. It carries 14 inches of fully automatic slide and a 20000 lb trailer weight rating, and it needs only industry standard base rails plus a separately purchased capture plate.

Do you need a sliding 5th wheel hitch for a 6.5 ft bed?

Not always, but you should measure first. Owners running 6.5 to 6.75 foot beds without a slider report workable clearance, though the trailer contacts the cab at a closer point in a turn. Below about 6 feet, or with a tall nose cone, treat a slider as close to mandatory.

Can a short bed truck pull a fifth wheel?

Yes. Every truck in this roundup is rated to pull a fifth wheel, and the short bed only changes the geometry of a tight turn rather than the towing capacity. Match the hitch GTW above your trailer GVWR and keep the combined hitch, tongue, and cargo weight inside the truck payload rating.

Which is better, a CURT or Bu0026amp;W fifth wheel hitch?

It depends on the mounting system. The Bu0026amp;W Companion units are the stronger build, carry a limited lifetime warranty, and convert between gooseneck and fifth wheel use, while the CURT E16 costs far less and is the simpler fixed option. Choose Bu0026amp;W if you want service life and flexibility, CURT if you want the lowest entry cost.

What size truck do I need to pull a 12000 lb fifth wheel?

A half-ton with a 5.5 foot bed is workable for a 12000 lb trailer if you hitch carefully and consider a rotational pin box, but clearance gets tight fast. A heavy duty short box around 6.5 feet gives you real margin, and any of the hitches rated at 16000 lb or higher will cover that trailer comfortably.

Final Verdict on the Best Fifth Wheel Hitches for Short Bed Trucks in 2026

The B&W Companion RVK3500 is our pick for the best fifth wheel hitches for short bed trucks. It has the highest owner rating in the group alongside the largest review count, a limited lifetime warranty, and a cam-action latch that removes the guesswork from coupling, and its offset ball-mount base gives you usable clearance without a full rail system taking over the bed.

If you back up every day and want the clearance margin handled for you, the PullRite SuperGlide 2900 is the buy, with 14 inches of automatic slide and a 20000 lb rating, as long as you budget for the capture plate and a real torque wrench. If you want your truck back on weekends, the Andersen Ultimate Connection 3220 at 37 pounds changes the relationship between truck and trailer entirely.

Whatever you choose, measure your clearance in an empty lot before the first trip. The large RV fifth wheel hitch guide covers the heavier end of the range, and the automatic leveling systems guide covers the other half of the towing setup.