Turning Impingement for 310RL and non-sliding hitch in chevy 3500 standard bed

[rbflapjack]

I know this subject has been beat to death but I'm not looking for hitch recommendations but only looking for a specific answer I can't seem to find anywhere. Picking up my first fifth wheel (310RL) next week with my Chevy 3500 standard (short) bed (6'11"). Decided on B&W Companion but still deciding on sliding or non-sliding. Does anyone tow a 310RL (mine is 2024 if it matters) with a Chevy standard bed and a non-sliding hitch and if so, have you had any issues with turns? My neighbor has the slider with a GMC and says he never uses the slider function. I would rather do with the fixed version as it's way easier to remove by myself. I've also heard the Chevy has a slightly longer bed than Ford and Ram so turning isn't as big an issue. Pinbox on the 310RL is the CURT Rotaflex and it seems the kingpin is a bit back behind the nose. Worst thing is a get the fixed and if it doesn't work so can buy just the sliding base but it's still expensive.

 

[Oregon_Camper]

Can't answer your specific Chevy question, but on our first 5th wheel (Heartland Bighorn) we had a short bed Ford and I went with the Reese Airborne Sidewinder. Worked GREAT!! No slider hitch needed. It actually moves the pivot point back about 8-10".

No "preview" of video available for some reason. Just click on the link in black box. Hope this helps.

 

[J. Thomas]

I will say "yes" it will hit with a nonslider. I was pulling my 310 with a 2500 GMC, "short bed" , fitted with the Companion, nonslider hitch. My GMC was a 2020 model. I did have back of cab contact with the trailer nose every time I tried to get my rig into our driveway. I traded the truck for a 2021 Ford F350 long bed. That ended that problem.

 

[Midnight Rider]

I know this subject has been beat to death but I'm not looking for hitch recommendations but only looking for a specific answer I can't seem to find anywhere. Picking up my first fifth wheel (310RL) next week with my Chevy 3500 standard (short) bed (6'11"). Decided on B&W Companion but still deciding on sliding or non-sliding. Does anyone tow a 310RL (mine is 2024 if it matters) with a Chevy standard bed and a non-sliding hitch and if so, have you had any issues with turns? My neighbor has the slider with a GMC and says he never uses the slider function. I would rather do with the fixed version as it's way easier to remove by myself. I've also heard the Chevy has a slightly longer bed than Ford and Ram so turning isn't as big an issue. Pinbox on the 310RL is the CURT Rotaflex and it seems the kingpin is a bit back behind the nose. Worst thing is a get the fixed and if it doesn't work so can buy just the sliding base but it's still expensive.

Congratulations on the new rig!
I believe it will hit. I have the Chevy 3500 HD Standard Bed and a 295MK and have been happy to have the Pull Rite Super Glide function, I think it has saved my back window? You just never have to think about that while you are backing up, jockeying for position. One less thing to worry about. The tighter I turn backing in the more the hitch slides so to say your buddy never used his is strange because mine is always sliding unless maybe his is the manual slide kind? Mine is a auto glide set up.
I Leave my Hitch in the truck year round. I like the weight in the bed on the snow and ice in winter. But the Slide hitches are heavier to remove if you need the full bed.
Good Luck!

 

[2 Allies]

I concur with Midnight Rider. Absolutely love our Pullrite auto-slide hitch. Never have to worry or remember to release a manual slider. 2024 3500hd SB. Our Paradigm 385fl would definitely strike the cab with a fixed hitch.

Bruce

 

[rbflapjack]

Thanks for the replies. I seriously looked at the Auto-sliders but they are just so heavy (>250lbs) so once they are in I would need a crew or a block and tackle setup to get it out which just isn't feasible. I'd love to hear if anyone has a non-sliding hitch with a SB truck but maybe there isn't anyone because it doesn't work.

 

[rbflapjack]

I will say "yes" it will hit with a nonslider. I was pulling my 310 with a 2500 GMC, "short bed" , fitted with the Companion, nonslider hitch. My GMC was a 2020 model. I did have back of cab contact with the trailer nose every time I tried to get my rig into our driveway. I traded the truck for a 2021 Ford F350 long bed. That ended that problem.

This is perfect. Thanks.

 

[7ACMike]

I will throw in my 2 cents. We have a 2022 2500 Chevy 4 door short bed. Used a Pullrite auto slide for years and after trading to this truck I couldn't find adapters for it to fit the new truck without spending enough to buy a new hitch. Heavy Pullrite is correct!! Looked at an Anderson as several of my buddies used them and liked them. Bought it and love it! 😍😍 put my buddy in the back in a large parking lot and he watched and told me as I was backing, turning and all things pertaining to trailers. Worked better and easier than the old Pullrite ever did and weighs less than #40. We have the 2024 Alliance 29 RL so can't say anything about your trailer. Good luck.

 

[Average Man]

My trailer and truck is different, but I the B&W slider hitch with the hitch Alliance provides put the hitch right against my tailgate and I could not turn with the slider in the rear position. I had to adjust my B&W hitch the 3 inches forward so the hitch would clear the tailgate and I now have clearance to make full 90 degree turning.

 

[BryanValRox]

I know this subject has been beat to death but I'm not looking for hitch recommendations but only looking for a specific answer I can't seem to find anywhere. Picking up my first fifth wheel (310RL) next week with my Chevy 3500 standard (short) bed (6'11"). Decided on B&W Companion but still deciding on sliding or non-sliding. Does anyone tow a 310RL (mine is 2024 if it matters) with a Chevy standard bed and a non-sliding hitch and if so, have you had any issues with turns? My neighbor has the slider with a GMC and says he never uses the slider function. I would rather do with the fixed version as it's way easier to remove by myself. I've also heard the Chevy has a slightly longer bed than Ford and Ram so turning isn't as big an issue. Pinbox on the 310RL is the CURT Rotaflex and it seems the kingpin is a bit back behind the nose. Worst thing is a get the fixed and if it doesn't work so can buy just the sliding base but it's still expensive.

So, I see many have chimed in here and offered their first hand experience regarding sliders. Positive input for sure!
Just something to think about is that there are other options out there, one example would be the Gen-y with an offset ball. About 40 lbs in the bed(assuming you have the factory puck system) and easily removable in about 5 minutes to give you full access to the bed when you need it. Decisions,Decisions, Decisions!

 

[justdee]

So, I see many have chimed in here and offered their first hand experience regarding sliders. Positive input for sure!
Just something to think about is that there are other options out there, one example would be the Gen-y with an offset ball. About 40 lbs in the bed(assuming you have the factory puck system) and easily removable in about 5 minutes to give you full access to the bed when you need it. Decisions,Decisions, Decisions!

I opted to go with the Gen-Y Gooseneck and I have, so far, had plenty of clearance between my trailer cap and the back window. My issue on clearance is the aluminum roll up bed cover. I have to be careful with that while backing and because of it, I've just started looking into that 5" offset "goosepuck" from Gen-Y.

 

[Average Man]

I spent many hours looking at the pros and cons of the various hitches on Youtube before settling on B&W Companion slider hitch. I noticed that many of the full-timers used this hitch. Remember that some hitches are not warrantied to work with lippert frames. That was an important point after looking at goose-ball hitch towing.

 

[justdee]

I reached out to Lippert before having the dealership install the Gen-Y. Their response was, you can install any hitch you want, it does not automatically void the warranty. Should there be a frame issue, and they can trace it to the hitch, then that could void the warranty. I asked how long do they warranty the frame. The response was one year. Knowing I wasn't going to use my RV for the first 4 months after purchase and probably wouldn't tow it all the much for the remainder of the warranty, I went with the Gen-Y.
They did put that in writing.
He did say that they are in the planning stages of working with Gen-Y to get it certified on their frames as they have heard nothing but good things about the hitch and realize a lot of people are switching to the Gen-Y.

 

[Bob & Pat Kalberer]

For what it’s worth I also went with the Gen-y. I did have some concerns about Lippert honoring the warranty with that hitch but had not seen that as a problem on all the forums I’m on. The frame warranty is for three years. My 340RL is now over three years old and I have no issues.

 

[rbflapjack]

My trailer and truck is different, but I the B&W slider hitch with the hitch Alliance provides put the hitch right against my tailgate and I could not turn with the slider in the rear position. I had to adjust my B&W hitch the 3 inches forward so the hitch would clear the tailgate and I now have clearance to make full 90 degree turning.

How did you adjust the hitch to be 3 inches forward? Did you have the factory puck system?