2020 GMC/Chevy 2500 standard bed and Anderson hitch tow clearance

[tjndsa]

just want to follow thread as we are looking to possibly purchase a 2020 or 2021 GMC or Silverado 3500.

[Brother_Bluto]

I thought I had a very inexpensive set up until my wife found information where Lippert (trailer frame manufacturer) will not honor the warranty if a gooseneck adapter is used. Lippert's claim is the adapter may cause frame cracks. I don't know why the adapters are still being manufactured and sold if they cause damage!!!

That claim has been disproven . I have heard it from uneducated dealers or naysayers about the AUH that have never used one. Call Lippert and tell them you would like to have that statement in writing that the AUH will void their warranty. They can be sued under the Magunson-Moss Warranty Act if they did put it in writing or are directly telling customers that. There is even a post on here long ago where LCI put the opposite in writing. If there was a failure, LCI would have to prove that the AUH was the cause of such a failure in order to void the frame warranty. Even so, Andersen carries a $5M supplemental policy to cover you if Lippert were to deny a claim.

I've used the AUH in a GMC 2500HD CCSB and then a Ford F350CCSB for a while. It is a solid performer that fills a good niche in the 5th wheel hitch market. I'd have no qualms using it, or recommending it to others if it fits their specific situation. I will say that I enjoyed my Demco Autoslide that I ended up putting in the F350, but they are heavy. Have a fixed B&W now since I have an F450.

[Duck Hunt Dobber]

Yes I can make a sharp turn - 80 degrees plus when evaluating with still a couple inches to the cab (but never needed that tight yet) - but not necessarily an apples to apples comparison as your Solitude would be wider than my Reflection, so stands to reason it might be more borderline with the Solitude. Sorry I can't give you a better answer...

[S Perkins]

Thanks for checking. I'm having a tuff time trying to figure this out. I need a hitch that I can hitch up on an angle because where it's parked in my yard. I have a Reese revolution hitch now on my old fifth wheel and it works great. Maybe that's the way to go,?

[slauretani]

Hello All.
I’m new to this forum and getting ready for retirement next year.

I’ve shopped for 5th wheels for a couple months. I believe I’ve find the Solitude S class 2930RL as the best match for my needs. I’ve always been a Chevy man so my tow vehicle is already made(but not purchased). Before I purchase any of the two I want to make sure they work together well.

I don’t want to buy an 8’ bed truck unless absolutely necessary. I’m going to order the double cab variant when it’s available. The standard bed with the double cab will give me the shortest possible length of truck. I fish in BC a lot with some tight maneuvering on back country roads.

I love the look of the Anderson hitch setup. Easily removable and possibly giving you a few more degrees of backup maneuvering. With the new gooseball setup 2” behind axle and longer standard bed for 2020, a 96” wide trailer(with a swept back front cap) looks like it could almost achieve a 90 degree turn. But the Solitudes are 101” wide.

Any one tow with this setup or have any info about its limitations? Sorry this question might be to specific but I thought I might try anyways.

Thanks in advance.

Jim Owens

We have a 2018 GMC 2500 HD, but we have a 6 1/2’ box. We have the Anderson hitch, and love it.
We pull a 303RLS

[cluless]

If you are using a standard hitch for your Reflection(96” wide) an Anderson hitch with the additional 4” offset would make up for the additional 5-6” width in the Solitudes. There is a way to get 8” offset with the coupler but I’m not sure if the pin box would hit the tailgate. Maybe the top split tailgate in the Sierra could be flipped down(while leaving the bottom tailgate up) during travel. I think there is enough room. Never heard anyone mention this method.

[Overtaxed]

Actual payload on my new 2020 GMC 3500 Diesel Crew Cab (loaded SLT so similar to Denali content wise) is 3759 lbs per the door sticker. Published spec was 4148 lbs. So once you load them up with options, the actual payload will drop, but still a HUGE improvement over the previous generation. Ride/handling/and comfort much better as well.

I purchased the same BW Companion 3715 fixed that Papa John did, and have plenty of clearance on backing with my Reflection.

Did they actually change something between generations other than the "sticker"? That's interesting for people with a 2019 for sure, if the only change was a sticker, they just got a big upgrade!

[bertschb]

I know a lot of people with truck beds shorter than 8' recommend a sliding hitch but I have an alternative. When I get to the point that I'm making a sharp turn while backing up, I just pull forward a bit and start the backup process again. I know that sounds too simplistic but it's actually not very good for the trailer suspension to make 90 degree turns while backing up anyway.

Yes, a sliding hitch does afford protection while making sharp turns but they aren't required. I've towed trailers of all kinds all my life and I never backed up any of them at extreme angles. If I get close to that point, I just pull forward and start over.

Yes, you do need to pay more attention if towing with a non-slider and a short bed truck but you need to pay attention (what's above, behind, in front, rear cab window, bed rails, etc) while backing regardless. Just go sloooooooow and pay attention!

[Duck Hunt Dobber]

Whole new truck for 2020 Model Year - total redesign ground up (frame, suspension, etc), not just a sticker change.

[backtrack2015]

That claim has been disproven .

I believe Papa John's inexpensive setup was an old-school gooseneck adapter, not the AUH. The AUH is fine. Using a gooseneck adapter other than the Goosebox seems risky.

On another note, the new GM towing sticker is wonderful. Hopefully Ram and Ford follow suit quickly, and add a "virtual sticker" to their online configurators so you can see what you're ordering.