Best Fifth Wheel Hitches for Short Bed Trucks
Automatic or manual slider? Match bed length, trailer nose clearance, mounting system and real payload before choosing.
Compare Current OptionsA fifth-wheel hitch can be strong enough to pull your trailer and still be wrong for your truck: the front of the trailer may contact the cab during a tight maneuver. Here is how to separate clearance solutions from impressive but irrelevant capacity figures.
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01 Quick picks by bed and operation
Demco offers multiple mounting configurations, including above-bed rails and selected factory-puck versions. It moves automatically as the trailer turns, reducing the need to stop and reposition a manual slider.
This distinct model is designed for approximately 5.5-foot beds and offers longer slide travel than the larger Demco units. Its lower rating makes truck payload and loaded trailer weight particularly important.
The 2700 uses industry-standard rails and a capture-plate-controlled mechanism to move the hitch automatically. The required capture plate is central to safe operation, not an optional convenience.
The 2900 carries a higher published rating than the 2700 while retaining automatic sliding and capture-plate operation. Capacity alone does not resolve truck payload, trailer nose clearance or mount ratings.
CURT pairs the A25 head with an S25 manual slider and vehicle-specific puck adapters. Unlike an automatic slider, the driver must follow the specified procedure to change between towing and maneuvering positions.
02 Short-bed hitch comparison
These are manufacturer hitch ratings, not the towing capacity of your truck. Mounts, adapters and other components may have lower limits.
| Hitch | Slider action | Published rating | Key fitment issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demco 18K Autoslide | Automatic | 18,000 lb GTW; 4,500 lb pin; 14-inch slide | Choose rail/puck variant and pin-box plate |
| Demco 13K Autoslide | Automatic | 13,000 lb GTW; 3,250 lb pin; 22.5-inch slide | Very short bed; lower capacity |
| PullRite SuperGlide 2700 | Automatic | 16,000 lb GTW; 4,000 lb pin; 14-inch slide | ISR rails and capture plate |
| PullRite SuperGlide 2900 | Automatic | 20,000 lb GTW; 5,000 lb pin; 14-inch slide | ISR rails and capture plate |
| CURT A25 with S25 Slider | Manual | Up to 25,000 lb hitch configuration; 12-inch manual slide | Exact OEM puck adapter |
03 Detailed recommendations
Demco 18K Autoslide
SHORT-BED SLIDERDemco offers multiple mounting configurations, including above-bed rails and selected factory-puck versions. It moves automatically as the trailer turns, reducing the need to stop and reposition a manual slider.
What stands out
Automatic movement simplifies low-speed maneuvers; several mount families.
Who it suits
Owners of 6.5-foot beds who want automatic movement and can confirm a matching mount and pin-box setup.
Ownership tradeoff: Verify exact Demco SKU, truck bed, factory-puck or rail system and pin-box locking-plate requirements.
Check PriceDemco 13K Autoslide
SHORT-BED SLIDERThis distinct model is designed for approximately 5.5-foot beds and offers longer slide travel than the larger Demco units. Its lower rating makes truck payload and loaded trailer weight particularly important.
What stands out
Longer travel addresses the unusually short cab-to-axle dimension.
Who it suits
Owners of very short beds with a suitably rated lighter fifth wheel and an approved truck application.
Ownership tradeoff: Confirm exact truck and trailer geometry; 22.5 inches of travel is not a universal no-contact guarantee.
Check PricePullRite SuperGlide 2700
SHORT-BED SLIDERThe 2700 uses industry-standard rails and a capture-plate-controlled mechanism to move the hitch automatically. The required capture plate is central to safe operation, not an optional convenience.
What stands out
Automatic travel and a clearly documented hitch/capture-plate system.
Who it suits
Short-bed truck owners with compatible ISR rails who can install the correct capture plate.
Ownership tradeoff: Check the exact PullRite capture plate and rail installation; follow the manufacturer coupling instructions.
Check PricePullRite SuperGlide 2900
SHORT-BED SLIDERThe 2900 carries a higher published rating than the 2700 while retaining automatic sliding and capture-plate operation. Capacity alone does not resolve truck payload, trailer nose clearance or mount ratings.
What stands out
Automatic slider with additional hitch rating headroom over the 2700.
Who it suits
Owners of a compatible short-bed heavy-duty pickup and a heavier fifth wheel within all ratings.
Ownership tradeoff: Check trailer pin weight, truck payload and the lowest-rated component, not merely the hitch rating.
Check PriceCURT A25 with S25 Slider
SHORT-BED SLIDERCURT pairs the A25 head with an S25 manual slider and vehicle-specific puck adapters. Unlike an automatic slider, the driver must follow the specified procedure to change between towing and maneuvering positions.
What stands out
Direct factory-puck configurations are available for specific vehicles; published 12-inch slide.
Who it suits
Drivers with a supported Ford, GM or Ram factory-puck system who prefer manual operation.
Ownership tradeoff: Choose by the exact CURT SKU and truck model year; Ram variants and ratings differ.
Check Price04 The short-bed clearance decision
Step 1 — Identify the bed precisely. Confirm the manufacturer’s actual bed length, not simply “short bed.” A 5.5-foot pickup and a 6.5-foot heavy-duty pickup are different fitment problems.
Step 2 — Check the trailer front profile and pin box. The width and shape of the trailer nose, pivot point and pin-box design influence cab clearance. A slider’s published travel distance alone cannot guarantee a 90-degree turn.
Step 3 — Choose the operating method. Automatic sliders shift during a turn using their designed mechanism. Manual sliders require the driver to stop and follow the hitch’s prescribed positioning procedure before a tight maneuver, then return to the towing position as instructed.
Step 4 — Match the mounting interface. Identify factory pucks versus industry-standard above-bed rails or another approved under-bed system. Do not assume a hitch advertised for Ford, GM or Ram fits every model year or factory prep package.
Step 5 — Check the weakest rating. Use the truck’s actual payload sticker, axle and towing ratings, trailer loaded weight and pin weight, hitch rating and mount/adapter ratings. Passengers, cargo and the hitch itself consume truck payload. Confirm bed-rail and trailer overhang clearance throughout articulation.
Stop point: If the hitch maker or truck/trailer maker cannot confirm the geometry and required hardware, do not assume a published slider travel distance makes the combination safe. Have a qualified hitch installer verify the combination.
05Frequently asked questions
Does every short-bed truck need a slider?
No. The required clearance depends on the exact cab-to-axle dimension, trailer nose, pin box and approved hitch configuration. Some combinations use manufacturer-approved alternatives, but none should be assumed from bed length alone.
Is an automatic slider always better than a manual slider?
Automatic travel removes a manual positioning step during low-speed turns. It also introduces mechanism-specific requirements and sometimes pin-box locking or capture plates. A correctly installed manual slider may be a suitable choice for an owner who follows its operating instructions.
Can I use a PullRite SuperGlide without its capture plate?
Do not do so. PullRite specifies a compatible capture plate to control its automatic sliding mechanism. Follow the model-specific instructions.
Does a 25,000-pound hitch let my truck tow 25,000 pounds?
No. The lowest-rated part of the truck, hitch, mount and trailer system limits the combination; payload and loaded pin weight often constrain fifth-wheel towing before the hitch rating does.
Will a 14-inch slider guarantee cab clearance?
No. Trailer shape, width, pivot geometry and actual truck dimensions determine clearance. Demco and PullRite both caution that 90-degree turning clearance is not universal.
06 Bottom line
Choose by truck-and-trailer geometry first, mounting interface second and operating preference third. A higher capacity rating does not repair a clearance mismatch. For broader hitch categories, see our fifth-wheel hitch comparison.