Best Fifth Wheel Hitch For Short Bed Truck

#1 · Best Overall

1. CURT A20 Slider Hitch

• Weight: 212 lb
• Material: Alloy Steel
• Compatible with Vehicle Type: Truck

Best for: Quiet towing with 20K capacity.

Why it ranks #1: Designed for short-bed trucks, it pairs a 20,000-pound rating with a slider, articulating torsion head, and interlocking kingpin jaws.

A cast yoke with poly-torsion inserts helps suppress shock loads and reduce noise, while the CURT A20 pairs that cushioning with a 20,000-pound capacity. Its slider format targets short-bed truck owners who need added turning clearance, and the wide head opening is intended to make coupling easier.

The fully articulating torsion head supports controlled coupling and stable towing, while the interlocking jaws wrap the kingpin to minimize noise at the connection. After uncoupling, the lockable handle resets to the ready-to-couple position, reducing a step at the next hookup. The slider configuration is aimed at short-bed use, but the supplied details do not specify its travel distance, so this is less informative for buyers comparing clearance by inches.

Skip it if you need a stated slider travel distance before choosing; CURT 16564 specifies 12 inches of displacement.

The A20 suits short-bed truck owners prioritizing a quieter kingpin connection, convenient recoupling and a 20,000-pound capacity. Consider the unspecified slider travel when evaluating turning clearance, and account for its 212-pound listed weight when handling the hitch.

Listed on Amazon as: CURT 16531 A20 5th Wheel Slider Hitch for Short Bed Trucks, 20,000 lbs

#2 · Most Travel

2. PullRite 4100 SuperGlide

• Weight: 175 lb
• Material: Alloy Steel
• Compatible with Vehicle Type: Trailer, Truck

Best for: Automatic turning clearance.

Why it ranks #2: Its automatic SuperGlide operation moves the coupling point up to 14 inches while turning, more travel than the listed 12-inch sliders.

The PullRite 4100 SuperGlide automatically moves up to 14 inches while turning, giving short-bed truck owners more turning clearance without manually repositioning a slider. Its stated 16,000-pound capacity makes it a fit for buyers whose trailer needs fall within that limit and who prefer automatic operation.

Automatic movement during a turn makes clearance management part of the hitch's operation rather than a separate manual adjustment. The 14-inch travel is specified as 50 percent farther than manually adjusted slider designs, a useful distinction for short-bed owners weighing turning room. Its 16,000-pound weight capacity sets a clear towing boundary; buyers should match that figure to their trailer requirements. The supplied product details identify truck and trailer compatibility but do not name a particular bed-mount system.

Skip it if you need 25,000-pound capacity; CURT 16574 S25 lists that limit and automatic latching in both directions.

The SuperGlide 4100 is for short-bed truck owners who want automatic turning movement and up to 14 inches of travel. Its 16,000-pound capacity is the boundary to check against the trailer before choosing this model.

Listed on Amazon as: PullRite 4100 16K SuperGlide 5th Wheel Hitch

#3 · Highest Capacity

3. CURT A25 Puck Slider

• Material: Alloy Steel
• Compatible with Vehicle Type: Truck

Best for: OEM puck-system 25K slider.

Why it ranks #3: This 25,000-pound slider provides 12 inches of travel and quick quarter-turn anchoring, but fits only select factory puck systems.

The CURT A25 delivers a 25,000-pound capacity and 12 inches of slider travel for short-bed turning clearance, with compatibility for select OEM puck systems. Its quarter-turn anchors are intended to speed installation and removal at compatible factory mounting points.

The quarter-turn anchoring system helps make hitch installation and removal quicker, while adjustable anchors address chucking between the legs and puck system. The 12-inch slider travel provides a specified amount of movement in the truck bed for short-bed use. After uncoupling, the lockable handle resets to the ready-to-couple position, removing a step from the next hookup. The puck-system application is limited to select vehicles, so the mount type is a key compatibility consideration.

Skip it if you lack a compatible OEM puck system; CURT 16531 is listed as a short-bed hitch without a puck-only fit description.

The A25 fits owners of compatible puck-system trucks seeking 12 inches of travel, quick anchoring and 25,000-pound capacity. Its select-puck compatibility is the central fit boundary; verify that the factory mounting arrangement matches.

Listed on Amazon as: CURT 16057 A25 Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch, 25,000 lbs, Compatible With Select Puck System

#4 · Best Ford Fit

4. PullRite 2714 SuperGlide

• Weight: 216 lb
• Material: Alloy Steel
• Compatible with Vehicle Type: Truck

Best for: Ford puck-system SuperGlide.

Why it ranks #4: Its automatic 16,000-pound SuperGlide is designed for Ford short beds with puck systems and provides 14 inches of travel.

The PullRite 2714 attaches directly to Ford factory puck mounting points, avoiding adapter rails for compatible short-bed trucks. Its automatic SuperGlide mechanism provides 14 inches of travel, bringing turning clearance into the hitch's operation rather than requiring manual slider adjustment.

This OE Puck Series model is specified for select Ford 6.5-foot truck beds with puck systems, making its mounting application narrower than a universal truck hitch. Direct attachment to factory mounting points removes the need for adapter rails in the described setup. Automatic sliding and 14 inches of travel address short-bed turning clearance, but a capture plate is required for use. The listing says the package contains the main component only, so buyers should account for that requirement.

Skip it if you drive a truck without Ford OE pucks; CURT 16531 is listed for truck use without a Ford-specific mount description.

The 2714 fits owners of select Ford 6.5-foot short beds with factory pucks who want direct mounting and automatic travel. Confirm that the capture-plate requirement and specified Ford application align with your trailer and truck setup.

Listed on Amazon as: PullRite 2714 OE Puck Series 16K SuperGlide Automatically Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch for Select Ford 6.5 ft. Truck Beds

#5

5. CURT A16 Slider Hitch

• Material: Alloy Steel
• Compatible with Vehicle Type: Truck

Best for: Rail-mounted 16K slider setup.

Why it ranks #5: The short-bed slider includes base rails and offers a 16,000-pound capacity, a three-position coupling indicator, and interlocking jaws.

The CURT A16 combines a short-bed slider hitch with base rails and a 16,000-pound gross trailer weight capacity, giving buyers a listed rail-based package. Its cast yoke with poly-torsion inserts helps suppress shock loads and reduce noise during towing.

The fully articulating torsion head supports controlled coupling and stable towing, while interlocking jaws wrap the kingpin to minimize noise at the connection. The lockable handle resets to the ready-to-couple position after uncoupling, simplifying the next hookup. A three-position coupling indicator is visible from the cab, giving the driver a view of coupling status. The product description lists a 4,000-pound vertical load limit alongside the 16,000-pound gross trailer weight capacity, setting two figures to consider for trailer matching.

Skip it if you need capacity above 16,000 pounds; CURT 16574 S25 is listed at 25,000 pounds.

The A16 suits short-bed owners seeking a rail-based slider with cushioning features and a cab-visible coupling indicator. Its 16,000-pound gross trailer weight capacity is the main boundary, and the listed 4,000-pound vertical load also matters.

Listed on Amazon as: CURT 16053 A16 5th Wheel Slider Hitch with Base Rails for Short Bed Trucks, 16,000 lbs

#6

6. CURT S25 Slider

• Weight: 129.4 lb
• Material: Carbon Steel
• Compatible with Vehicle Type: Truck

Best for: High-capacity auto-latching slider.

Why it ranks #6: Its 25,000-pound rating is the highest listed for a CURT sliding model here, with automatic latching in both directions; a head is required.

The CURT S25 pairs a 25,000-pound capacity with automatic latching in both directions, helping short-bed owners manage slider movement with fewer exits from the truck. Its smooth slide action is specified to move between positions without binding.

The S25's quiet, solid design is intended to eliminate chucking in the towing position, addressing movement and noise during travel. For repositioning, automatic latching in both directions lets the driver set the lever and operate the truck rather than repeatedly getting out. An easy-to-reach lever arm and lift-style motion support operation at the hitch. The product title says a head is required, so this slider component must be paired with a compatible hitch head before use.

Skip it if you need a complete hitch in one component; CURT 16053 A16 is listed as a hitch with base rails.

The S25 suits short-bed owners who need a 25,000-pound-rated slider and value automatic latching in both directions. It is a slider component requiring a head, so account for that separate compatibility requirement.

Listed on Amazon as: CURT 16574 S25 Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch for Short Bed Trucks, 25,000 lbs (Head Required)

#7

7. CURT S20 Slider

• Weight: 109.4 lb
• Material: Carbon Steel
• Compatible with Vehicle Type: Truck

Best for: Auto-latching 12-inch slider.

Why it ranks #7: This short-bed slider supplies 12 inches of coupling-point displacement and auto-latching, but the listing says a head is required.

Twelve inches of coupling-point displacement gives the CURT S20 added turning clearance for short-bed trucks, helping keep the trailer from obstructing the truck during turns. Its automatic latch engages when you drive forward after setting the lever, reducing the need to leave the cab repeatedly during hookup.

The S20 ships fully factory assembled, which avoids a separate hitch assembly step before installation. Its automatic latching action engages when you drive forward after setting the lever, streamlining the slide-position workflow. The 12-inch displacement addresses the clearance challenge of short beds, while industry-standard mounting points support installation with compatible mounting hardware. This is the slider component, and the product title specifies that a head is required, so it is not a complete hitch by itself.

Skip it if you need a complete hitch rather than a slider; CURT 16531 is listed as an A20 hitch.

Choose the S20 if your short-bed setup needs 12 inches of travel and you value an auto-latching workflow. It is a slider component, not a complete hitch, so plan around the separately required head and compatible mounting arrangement.

Listed on Amazon as: CURT 16564 S20 Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch for Short Bed Trucks, 20,000 lbs (Head Required)

#8 · Lightest Listed

8. Andersen Ultimate Toolbox

• Weight: 45 lb
• Material: Aluminum
• Compatible with Vehicle Type: Truck

Best for: Gooseneck owners seeking easy release.

Why it ranks #8: At 45 pounds, this aluminum connection is much lighter than the listed traditional sliders, but it requires a compatible gooseneck hitch.

A remote latch and unlatch cable lets you release the Andersen Ultimate without climbing into the truck bed, simplifying uncoupling after a trip. This toolbox-model connection works with standard brands of gooseneck hitches and offers two height settings for adapting the setup to the truck.

The two height positions—16-1/2 and 18-5/16 inches from the truck bed to the top of the ball mount—give buyers a choice when setting hitch height. Compatibility with standard gooseneck hitch brands makes this a different mounting route from rail- or puck-mounted sliders. The remote cable moves the release point out of the bed, while the listed 45-pound weight can make handling the aluminum connection less demanding than a much heavier hitch.

Skip it if you lack a compatible gooseneck hitch; CURT 16057 is listed for select OEM puck systems.

This Andersen toolbox model suits owners with a compatible gooseneck hitch who value remote release and selectable height. Its gooseneck-based connection is the key fit boundary, so it is not the choice for shoppers seeking a conventional slider assembly.

Listed on Amazon as: ANDERSEN HITCHES | Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection (Toolbox Model) | 13" Tall Base, 24,000 lbs GTWR, 4,500 LBS Tongue Weight | 3220-TBX

#9

9. B&W Companion RVK3500

• Weight: 16 oz
• Material: Alloy Steel
• Compatible with Vehicle Type: Truck

Best for: Turnoverball system owners.

Why it ranks #9: Its articulating head and cam-action release are useful features, but the listing requires a B&W Turnoverball system and gives no short-bed travel figure.

The B&W Companion attaches to the Turnoverball under-bed mounting system, letting owners use that system for either a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch. Its fully articulating head pivots front to back and side to side, supporting movement in multiple directions during towing.

The Companion's connection to the Turnoverball system gives buyers a shared mounting platform for fifth-wheel and gooseneck towing, rather than requiring a separate bed-mounted system for each use. Its fully articulating head pivots front to back and side to side, accommodating movement at the hitch connection. A cam-action latching handle supports release, including when parked on unlevel ground. The product details do not give slider travel, so short-bed clearance needs cannot be assessed from a stated travel figure.

Skip it if you do not have a Turnoverball system; Andersen Ultimate 3220-TBX works with standard gooseneck hitch brands.

The Companion suits owners already using a B&W Turnoverball system who want a pivoting head and shared fifth-wheel/gooseneck mounting platform. Its system dependency and unspecified slider travel are important boundaries for short-bed shoppers.

Listed on Amazon as: B&W Trailer Hitches Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch – RVK3500

#10

10. CURT CrossWing

• Weight: 86.7 lb
• Material: Carbon Steel
• Compatible with Vehicle Type: Truck

Best for: Lightweight 20K hitch handling.

Why it ranks #10: Its 20,000-pound capacity and 86.7-pound listed weight may appeal to handling-focused buyers, but the supplied listing does not specify short-bed clearance or slider travel.

At 60 pounds for its main body, the CURT CrossWing is described as 65 percent lighter than most traditional fifth-wheel hitches while retaining a 20,000-pound capacity. That lighter body can make handling and storage less burdensome for owners who remove or reposition their hitch.

The combination of a 60-pound main body and a 20,000-pound capacity addresses buyers balancing hitch handling with towing needs. The listing gives a total item weight of 86.7 pounds, while the main-body figure describes the lighter component that matters when lifting or moving it. This is identified as a fifth-wheel hitch for trucks, but the supplied product details do not specify slider travel or short-bed turning clearance, so those details cannot guide a clearance comparison.

Skip it if you require a stated amount of slider travel; CURT 16564 specifies 12 inches of displacement for short-bed use.

The CrossWing suits truck owners prioritizing easier hitch handling while staying within its 20,000-pound capacity. Short-bed buyers should weigh the lighter main body against the absence of a stated slider-travel figure in the supplied details.

Listed on Amazon as: CURT 16600 CrossWing Lightweight 5th Wheel Hitch, 20,000 lbs.