Short Beds w/out Sliding Hitch

I have a 2017 Ram with the 6'4" bed without a sliding hitch. I have a standard B&W Patriot 16K hitch. With that being said, I have a 2019 FR Hemisphere 5th wheel. The nose is very rounded and cut back at the bottom edges of the nose. If it had a more traditional "squarish" nose, or I had the smaller 5'8" bed I would definitely have a sliding hitch. I think manufacturers are rounding the noses on 5th wheels because the short bed trucks are the most popular and they want to maximize sales of their trailers. For some, having to buy an expensive sliding hitch would be a deal breaker. With my set up, I can get to almost 90 degrees if I had to. So far I haven't come close to needing to get to that severe of an angle. The closest the nose has been to the cab of my truck is about 10" away. I think if you want 100% complete peace of mind then get a sliding hitch. If you know ahead of time what the limitations are, you will be fine.

If I understand your post, your buying a new HD truck. SO upwards of $40K. A basic hitch will cost 300 a automatic superglide maybe $1K. Can't see risking damage for $700.

Full disclosure: I have a long bed, ironically with a slider.

Take it for what it is worth but I have a friend with a short-bed Ram and a sliding hitch that he never used for a number of years. After putting two dimples in his truck (one on each side), he decided it best to learn to use his sliding hitch.

Just 2-cents from a guy with a long-bed Chevy;). Happy Camping!