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If you are looking for the best sliding fifth wheel hitch, then you are in the right place.
Finding a hitch that will be best used for recreational hauling is important if you plan on taking your camper or bike rack to places beyond your backyard. But you need to find one that will be the best in quality and performance. And it needs to be something that can handle all the trips both short and long.
We were able to track down what we believe are the best sliding fifth wheel hitches on the market. Before we get to the list itself, we’ll be talking about whether all sliding fifth wheel hitches are the same or not. We’ll also be talking about why the hitches we chose for the review list made the cut.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Sliding Fifth Wheel Hitch
- OUR TOP PICK: B&W RVK3400
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: PullRite 24K Isr Superglide
- BEST AUTOMATIC SLIDING FIFTH WHEEL HITCH: Demco 8550035
Table of Contents
Comparison of the Best Sliding Fifth Wheel Hitches
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Are All Sliding Fifth Wheel Hitches The Same?
Short answer: no. In fact, there are a few reasons why they really aren’t the same. For one, there are hitches that come in different sizes. Not to mention, they have different weight limit ratings. One might be useful for your weight limits that are best reserved for lighter end loads (i.e.--3,000 pounds) while some can handle heavier loads (i.e. -- 10,000 pounds). Even though these hitches share the same purpose, there are more differences than similarities that determine that not every fifth wheel hitch is the same.
Why Did These Hitches Make Our List?
Keep in mind that we chose these hitches for review due to some interesting features and characteristics that stand out. We didn’t choose any of these at random. We implore you to do the same and do your due diligence on a hitch that might work for you. In the meantime, here are a few reasons why these hitches made our list (and what you need to keep an eye out for):
Affordable For Any Budget
If you are strapped for cash, we will show some hitches that are more affordable than others. Yet, it’s important that you invest in the best quality and performance possible if you happen to be on a budget. That way, you won’t be forced to choose a hitch that isn’t so great in quality. Cheap and flimsy is not worth your hard-earned money.
Excellent Quality
Of course, quality should always be number one in terms of priority. Especially when you are looking for something that will be perfect for hitching. You want a hitch made from high-quality materials and will be able to resist all kinds of rust, corrosion, or any other damage that might be stemmed from environmental elements or long-term use. It should last you a long time rather than a few months, give or take.
Easy Installation
Of course, the last thing you want is a hitch that will be complicated to install. In fact, we were careful in looking for hitches that were actually easy to install as opposed to being so complicated that you would need to rely on a professional (which costs extra time and money). Be sure to find a hitch that will take you anywhere from an hour or less to install.
Review of the Best Sliding Fifth Wheel Hitches
The following is a list of the best sliding fifth wheel hitches that are considered the best on the market. As you go through the list, it’s recommended that you take some notes in case any features and characteristics stand out as interesting. This way, you’ll be able to choose which one is better for you and eliminate the features that may be deal-breakers for you. Let’s begin with the first hitch on our list -- the “best overall” choice:
Best Overall:
B&W RVK3400
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new buyers say that the hitch was perfect for hauling campers and large trailers. They said that the installation didn’t take too long and everything was secure and in place when finished. One user said it did a good job hauling his camper when he was going on a tour of America. He said it held up really well and it didn’t rattle at all throughout the duration of the trip.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This hitch is pretty tough in quality and construction. At the same time, it can handle all kinds of trailers and campers. Taking a look at the latter, it’s tough enough to keep a hold on the camper while you are traveling on paved or unpaved roadways. So whether you are going camping in the woods or at an RV park, this hitch will certainly make every road trip worthwhile.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for a hitch that will be a road warrior’s best friend, then your search might end here. It can fit across plenty of truck beds both short and long. And it’s for those who want something that will last them years down the line. This won’t rust or corrode as easily as some cheapo model. For the best in quality and reliability, this is the hitch for you.
Bottom Line
The B&W RVK3400 proves itself beyond a shadow of a doubt that it belongs on the list as the best overall choice. Believe it or not, there probably won’t be a sliding fifth wheel hitch like this you can find on the market. Once you fit this on your truck, you’ll be ready to roll in style with your trusty camper intact.
Best for the Money:
PullRite 24K Isr Superglide
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most of the new buyers that were looking for a hitch that was solid in quality and affordable for their budget. They got a lot more than what they paid for with this fifth wheel hitch. They said the adjustments were smooth and easy and were enough to handle the different heights of high profile trailers. They were also able to fit this on their truck beds and still have just enough space for storage.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This hitch is pretty solid and sturdy, but it’s easy to adjust. That’s the beauty of these sliding hitches. You can certainly be able to hitch this to a trailer or a camper and you can set it to the right adjustments depending on the height. Of course, if it sits a little low or too high, you can make on the fly adjustments in a moment’s notice. It’s high in quality, but definitely worth the investment if you are looking for the best quality possible within your preferred budget range.
Who Will Use This Most
Consider this as one of the best choices for a starter hitch. If you are looking for something that is excellent in quality while being able to adjust easily to accommodate certain sizes and heights of trailers, campers, or whatever else, then this could be the hitch you want on your truck bed. Even if you never used a fifth wheel hitch before, affordability is a good reason to try one out rather than invest in something more expensive.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a heavy-duty hitch that will be perfect for recreational use, then the PullRite 24k ISR Superglide will stand out as not only one of the toughest hitches on the market but also one of the most affordable. If you are looking for the best quality and performance possible, then you’ll hit the jackpot with this hitch.
Best Automatic Sliding Fifth Wheel Hitch:
Demco 8550035
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new buyers were looking for a hitch that was easier for adjusting and didn’t require a lot of elbow grease. This was the hitch that fit the bill for a lot of people who were using this for campers and large trailers. The adjustments were smooth and didn’t require a lot of effort whenever they were needed to ensure a perfect fit for what they’re hauling.
Why it Stands Out to Us
What makes this great is the automatic and smooth adjustments. It can adjust to fit the trailers or campers that you are hauling from one place to the next. And it’s a low-profile hitch that won’t stick out like a sore thumb when it’s tacked onto the truck bed. If you want something that will handle various weights and loads, this could be one of the hitches you should consider for a closer look.
Who Will Use This Most
You should consider using this if you plan on hitching different types of trailers. What you haul might differ in terms of size and weight. But you’ve got nothing to worry about since this has the right kind of adjustments and the weight limit to handle it all. This just might be the hitch that will get the job done no matter how far you have to travel and how much you haul on a regular basis.
Bottom Line
The Demco is proven to go the distance and will make sure that the hitch will be used for all kinds of hauling purposes. You get the right kind of adjustments regardless of what you are hauling so it doesn’t ride too high or too low, but just right. Of course, the short bed trucks won’t have a problem putting this to good use.
Best Sliding Fifth Wheel Hitch for Short Bed Trucks:
CURT 16516 E16 5th Wheel Slider Hitch
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A majority of users said that this was a perfect fit for a number of short bed trucks. Even after installation, it still left enough space for storage. They were able to use this for all kinds of hitching applications from campers to Uhaul trailers. One user said that he was able to use this for the purpose of moving his stuff from his old house to a new house about 200 miles away. During the entire trip, he said the hitch kept the trailer intact and no rattling noise could be heard.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The CURT brand name is considered to be one of the most reliable names when it comes to hitches. In fact, they would be the one name that would challenge Reese. Who would win? That’s up to you and the other users. This hitch is solid in quality and has a low-profile design that won’t make it ride too high, but at just the right height (depending on what’s being hauled).
Who Will Use This Most
If you own a short bed truck that has the right measurements to fit this fifth wheel hitch, obviously this one might be what you’re looking for. You don’t have to worry about this taking up too much room in your truck bed. But you can still use whatever space to store a few extra things even with a trailer or camper attached. But if you want something that is well-constructed and will be useful for regular and occasional use, you’d be insane to pass up the opportunity to give this hitch a better look.
Bottom Line
The CURT 16516 fifth wheel hitch is designed for short truck beds that are built for hauling in both short and long distances. If sturdiness and reliability are a couple of things you want in a fifth wheel hitch, this one in particular checks off all of those boxes.
Honorable Mention:
Reese Titan 30870
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
New users were quite happy with this hitch. They said they were able to use this on their trucks for the purpose of hauling boats, recreational vehicles, and high profile trailers. Installation was a breeze and took about an hour or less for most users. One user said that this bad boy was beefy and proved its reliability beyond his expectations.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This fifth wheel hitch is easy to adjust and can handle heavier trailers and loads. And since it has a weight limit of 20,000 pounds there’s a good chance that it will be great for large trailers. Yes, large trailers might be better for gooseneck hitches, but not all of them. Sometimes, they require a hitch like this.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are planning on hauling small horse or livestock trailers that are usually compatible with fifth wheel hitches, then there’s a good chance that you’ll consider the idea of purchasing this hitch. It can be a perfect fit for your truck and will stand out as one of the better hitches for those long haul drives from point A to point B.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for an excellent hitch from a name that a lot of people trust when it comes to this kind of equipment, the Reese Titan is by far one of the toughest customers on the block. This is a really awesome hitch that will work hard and go the long distances if and when you need to transport something. Across the town or across the country, it’s tough enough to log on the miles and become one of the most reliable hitches you’ve ever used.
Pros and Cons of Sliding Fifth Wheel Hitches
We’ll now be taking a look at the pros and cons of sliding fifth wheel hitches.
Pros
Let’s dive into the pros first so you know what to expect:
Great For Both on-Road and Off-Road
Campers are usually hitched to fifth-wheel trailers. However, they can still be used when you are camping at an RV park or out in the wilderness somewhere. These hitches will sustain the smooth highways and the bumpy unpaved roads. Regardless, it still gives your camper all kinds of support without coming undone.
More Cost-Effective Than Any Type Of Hitch
While there are so many types of hitches you can install on vehicles, the fifth wheel hitches will be more cost-effective in comparison. In fact, if you are looking for a hitch and don’t really care what type you are looking for then you may start off with looking at fifth wheel hitches (even if you are on a budget).
Easiest Hitch For Hauling
Let’s face it, ease of use is one of the most important attributes and characteristics to have. But make no mistake about it, fifth wheel hitches are probably the least complex hitches to use. Plus, you can maneuver around corners while driving better with a fifth-wheel hitch (and whatever is attached to it).
Cons
Of course, there are some common shortcomings that a fifth wheel hitch has. What are they? Let’s take a look:
You Need The Right Towing Vehicle
The only vehicle you need in order to use these hitches is a medium or large-sized truck. That’s because they are tough and large enough to handle all of your hauling needs. Typically a half-ton to a three-quarter-ton truck are your likely options if you are planning on using a fifth-wheel hitch.
Navigating May Be Tricky At First
If you think it’s going to be smooth sailing at first when driving with a fifth-wheel hitch, you couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, it might be tricky to drive with something attached to it at first. But with enough practice you’ll be able to execute those turns and navigate through traffic smoothly and safely without causing a single car crash or dangerous incident.
Conclusion
If you are serious about finding a great hitch for your truck, then you may want to consider finding a great sliding fifth wheel hitch for all of your hauling needs. Whether you take it for camping or a long road trip, these hitches are reliable in what they do and will last you a really long time.
