5th Wheel Slider Hitch - 2018 Chevy 3500HD Truck w 6ft bed

[mmazur7973]

Received my Reflection 303RLS on Oct-28. Very excited - going to take it out for a quick trip this weekend.

However, we were expecting to have to use a slider hitch to account for the smaller bed on the truck. It seems that this is not required after hitting my tail gate with the pin box when the hitch was moved to "maneuverability" during PDI (damage could have been a lot worse, "just" the tail gate trim was impacted). The dealer did a lot of measuring of the hitch placement, drove the truck and trailer around in the parking lot (90 degree turns) without the trailer slamming into the truck.

Anyone know GD changed the 2018 Reflection 303 pin box length or position, eliminating the need for a sliding hitch? Or if Chevy made a change to their 2018 truck configuration?

Thanks

[mmazur7973]

guess no one is aware...will email GD

[Cate&Rob]

mmazur7973 - I don't think there have been any changes to the pinbox or front cap shape on the Reflection303. Different slider hitches have different rearward travel. You might get more input if you provide specifics on which hitch you have. I have a 6 1/2 ft box and a manual slider Reese hitch. The pin box clears the tailgate by about 2" in the maneuver position on level ground. I do need to remember to open the tailgate if backing down a slope.

Rob

[mmazur7973]

Thanks Rob - my RV dealer indicated that the bed of my Chevy truck (6 1/2 ft. box) seems to have more room from the cab to the axle when compared to a previous years Chevy truck. Seemed to be a great mystery to the dealer, as they were convinced I needed a manual slider.

I have a Curt hitch installed, but like I said, they pulled out the slider hitch and replaced with a standard one. Drove it around to ensure it didn't hit when making sharp turns. So was just wondering if anyone had heard if there was some changes....I did email GD and will add there response to this thread (for those that may have this question in the future)

[Cate&Rob]

mmazur7973 - If you dig down through the GM Upfitter information for 2017 and 2018, you can get to body dimensions. I took a quick look and did not see any differences between 2017 and 2018 . . . but, I might have missed something.
https://www.gmupfitter.com/files/med..._PU_102116.pdf

Rob

[5 Happy Campers]

I have a 2015 2500HD with the 6'8" bed for my 2018 307 MKS. I have a B&W Companion Slider. I have had the trailer at almost 75 deg and have not been too concerned with hitting the cab. It is nice to know that I have it available if I need it.

[Wscdive]

do you happen to know the height of the b&w slider hitch? I purchased a 303 rls and am planning to tow it with a 2016 2500hd. I see the curts adjust from 17-1/2 to 21 and the reese seem to all be way lower. I haven't been able to find any specs on the pin height or drop on the trailer so I'm lost trying to pick a hitch.

[AustexGP]

Wscdive,

I have a 2012 Chevy 2500HD and tow a GD 311BHS with my B&W Companion Slider Hitch. I have it set at 19. When I first got the Companion, I set it to the max height. Then when we picked up the 311, we were able to adjust the hitch down to the 19" position. I have the arms set over the axles (the straight part is toward the cab) and I have about 3 to 3 1/2 inches of clearance. FYI, I have only used the slider a few times since I got it. One was when the storage lot was muddy and didn't want to get the truck off of the pavement and the over was at a campground (didn't need it really but wanted to see how it worked).

[AustexGP]

Gee I wish I could type. Should have said about 7 to 7 1/2" inches of clearance. Don't talk on the phone and type, you may embarrass yourself!

[Keithb]

Did you get the info you need? im towing a 303RLS with a 2016 Sierra 2500HD. The dealer installed the Reese 16k slider hitch for us. Everything is level. Let me know if you need some measurements.
Keith