best 5th wheel hitch for std. bed 2500HD Chevy

PullRite and Demco both make good auto-sliding hitches - but they're heavy. You've already headed off a lot of issues by choosing a slider with a short bed. Good choice.

Rob

If you absolutely want a slider, then one of the auto sliders above are likely best choice. You could get a manual slider, that you'd never use anyway, due to GM having the longest distance axle to cab. My choice for a great hitch, for the money, to put in standard bed GM, would be a non-sliding, but adjustable ahead/back B&W Patriot hitch. They do make this hitch in a much heavier, more expensive, slider version, if you don't want one of the auto'sliders. The Patriot is available in 16K, or 18K.

Jerry

Why can't we call it what it is? "Standard Cab" ??? It's either a SB or a LB.

Rant over!

Anything B&W, pick your hitch you can't go wrong.

I have the B&W companion manual slider. Love this hitch. I can hitch/unhitch at an angle - better check with some of those auto sliders, some require you to back straight in. I can also see the jaws clearly locked around the king pin. The manual slider is not a PITA - at least IMO. Downside, it is heavy. I use an engine stand and lifting bracket bought from etrailer.com to get it out when needed. Thread on lifting bracket

Bought the hitch at etrailer too - they drop shipped it to my house for free.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Why can't we call it what it is? "Standard Cab" ??? It's either a SB or a LB.

Rant over!

Anything B&W, pick your hitch you can't go wrong.

Oh come on!! You are way too new school, to still use these old school terms. Short bed in HD truck, not an option, that I know of, and the long bed not nearly as popular as the standard bed. FW towing, especially for a full timer, a long bed, likely best option, but it is still not a standard bed.

It is OK to rant on occasion though, helps relieve stress.:C

Jerry

Jerry yer such a REBEL

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Jerry yer such a REBEL

Thanks, enjoyed the compliment!:)

I have a B&W Companion non slider. But I do have and need a goose-neck hitch so I use both. I will say the B&W is a very sturdy well built hitch, but also very heavy. Takes 2 people get the base out of the truck. I have a short bed Chev, 2015, and do not have a slider. I would guess it maters most what the front of the trailer looks like. I did pop my window once on a very tight backing up in my driveway. Won't do that again, but also not really an issue in most situations and not an issue if you have a second person helping you. Definitely, not an issue going forward, just for tight backup situations.

If I was to do it over again, I would look at the Anderson hitch. Lots of negatives on some sites over the Anderson, but I have a friend with one that likes it and there is also lots of positive posts from people that have them. For me, it's only about the weight. I would like to try one to see what I thought before passing judgement, but would look at it if I was buying over again.

Outside of that, the B&W is built like a tank. American made steel:)

Dont limit your self to an auto slider that requires your tow to be perfectly straight and level to the towed to hook/unhook. There are so many camps where angles or terrain would not be suitable.
if you have to have a slider, get a manual one, or for less money get a longer bed truck where you wont need a slider.

"or for less money get a longer bed truck where you wont need a slider."

What a concept!!!