Anyone with a Grand Design Reflection? (Hitch questions)

[Second_Chance]

I'm retiring (for the second time) in February and my wife and I are considering a move up from our travel trailer to a fifth wheel for extended travel. When we list all of our requirements and compare them to smaller (read "not too heavy") fifth wheels, we keep coming back to the Grand Design Reflection 303RLS. The tow vehicle is a 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 2WD crew cab/short bed with the Duramax/Allison combo. My questions are these:

1. If you have any of the Reflection models and a short bed, have you found that you needed (or wish you had) a slider hitch? I know newer units from many of the manufacturers have extended pin boxes and rounded caps, so I'm not sure how the clearances work out in this case. It seems to me that the old width of overhang/2 + 4" for pin-to-cab clearance is mainly for square-front trailers and/or those without extended pin boxes.

2. With the new trucks (especially the Chevy/GMC HDs) being so much taller than their predecessors, have you had any problems with either getting the trailer to sit level when hitched or with overhang-to-bed rail clearance? In other words, if you set the hitch plate low enough for the trailer to sit level, is the bed rail clearance too little?

I want to do as much homework as possible before spending significant amounts of money.

Thanks in advance,

Rob

[pwrplay]

Bamaman1 wrote:
I've got a B&W Patriot 16K hitch coming for the new 323BHS expected to arrive within the next 2 weeks. It's capable of being easily adjusted up and down 4" and back and forth 4". We'll see how its best adjustment is.

Hi ,

We are looking at the 323BHS as well and I'm just wondering how do you like it and how is that hitch working out for you? (if you received it)

[Bamaman11]

I've got a B&W Patriot 16K hitch coming for the new 323BHS expected to arrive within the next 2 weeks. It's capable of being easily adjusted up and down 4" and back and forth 4". We'll see how its best adjustment is.

[campercoop]

Second chance, you won't have any problems with your bed rail clearence. I have the 303 with a 2014 GMC 2500 but mine is a 4 door. I did buy the Curt Q20 slider as insurance. Very easy hitch to use, is color coded for tow or unlatched plus you always want to visually look at the hitch pin before moving. Tows great. You won't have any regrets.

[glazier]

1. If you have any of the Reflection models and a short bed, have you found that you needed (or wish you had) a slider hitch? I know newer units from many of the manufacturers have extended pin boxes and rounded caps, so I'm not sure how the clearances work out in this case. It seems to me that the old width of overhang/2 + 4" for pin-to-cab clearance is mainly for square-front trailers and/or those without extended pin boxes. I believe the Reflection will turn about 80 Degrees with a short bed truck. I have a Slider, I do not have to slide it back just driving to and from the campgrounds. I could see maybe needing it though, I am not sad I have it.

2. With the new trucks (especially the Chevy/GMC HDs) being so much taller than their predecessors, have you had any problems with either getting the trailer to sit level when hitched or with overhang-to-bed rail clearance? In other words, if you set the hitch plate low enough for the trailer to sit level, is the bed rail clearance too little? I have a little over 6" clearance, my trailer is about 1" high in the nose. My truck squats 2" with the pin weight of my 337, I set 1/2" up in the rear when towing. My truck handles this 337 great.

[vietvet66-67]

Here's a link for their owners forum www.granddesignowners.com/forum/forum
they are real nice folks there and will be glad to help you out. I belong there as we are now looking at the 303RLS ourselves. Just sign up and ask away.