Demco UMS Under-Bed 18K Autoslide Hijacker 8550022

Get short-bed fifth wheel towing without sacrificing your truck bed with the Demco Hijacker UMS Under-Bed 18K Autoslide Fifth Wheel Hitch (Part #8550022). Combining the convenience of an automatic 14" slider with the cleaner-bed advantage of under-bed mounting, this hitch gives you the best of both worlds — automatic slide motion for tight turns, plus a completely clear truck bed when you remove the hitch.

The Best of Both Worlds — Auto Slider + UMS Mounting

This hitch combines two features that usually require choosing between them:

• Up to 14" of automatic travel using rack-and-pinion gear technology — for clean, easy navigation in tight spots without manual slider operation
• UMS (under-bed) mounting system — when the hitch is removed, your truck bed is completely free and clear for hauling other loads, with no bedrails in the way

Come rain or shine, the 18K Autoslide simply makes your life easier — which is what it's all about.

18,000 lb Capacity Built for Heavy Loads

The 8550022 is rated for serious work:

• 18,000 lb gross towing weight
• 4,500 lb vertical load limit

Made in the USA with American steel. Backed by a 5-year warranty.

Locked-In Connection — Wraparound Jaw with Locking Bar

The wraparound jaw with locking bar delivers a smoother, safer, and more secure connection to your king pin — cutting down on the rattle and trailer movement that wear on you over a long travel day.

Lower Profile, Lighter Weight

The 8550022 features a lower profile design and lighter weight than many comparable hitches, making installation and removal easier — important since the whole point of an under-bed system is being able to pull the hitch out when you need bed space. At just 220 lbs, it's manageable for one or two people to handle. Easy access for routine maintenance is built in.

Adjustable Hitch Height for Level Towing

Three height settings let you fine-tune trailer height for level towing and proper bed rail clearance:

• Low: 15-1/2"
• Middle: 16-3/4"
• High: 18-1/4"

Standard Pin Boxes Activate the Slide Automatically

For most setups, no locking plate is required to activate the slide mechanism — standard pin boxes do the job out of the box.

⚠️ Cushioned Pin Box Requirement

A locking (capture) plate is required for the slide mechanism to activate with the following cushioned pin boxes:

• MOR/ryde
• Trailair Tri Glide
• 5th Airborne (Standard or Extended)
• Demco Glide Ride

What's Included (and What's Not)

Included: Hitch

Sold separately:

• Vehicle-specific UMS frame brackets — required for installation
• Capture plate — required if you have one of the cushioned pin boxes listed above

Considering Other Demco Hitches?

We carry related Demco fifth wheel hitches for different truck setups:

• Demco UMS Under-Bed 21K Autoslide (8550037) — same under-bed Autoslide platform with higher 21K capacity
• Demco Autoslide 18K (8550034) — same 14" automatic slider with above-bed rail mounting instead of under-bed
• Demco Hijacker 21K Autoslide above-bed (8550035) — higher 21K capacity, above-bed mount (rails sold separately)
• Demco 21K Autoslide above-bed WITH rails (8550036) — same 21K above-bed Autoslide with bed rails included
• Demco 21K Ford Prep Package Autoslide (8550038) — same under-bed Autoslide with 21K capacity, drops into factory Ford pucks
• Demco Hijacker SL 21K Underbox (8550033) — higher 21K capacity, fixed mount (no slider), for long-box trucks

Key Features

• 14" automatic slider using rack-and-pinion gear technology
• UMS under-bed mounting — leaves truck bed free and clear when hitch is removed
• 18,000 lb GTW / 4,500 lb vertical load capacity
• Wraparound jaw with locking bar
• 3 vertical height adjustments (15-1/2", 16-3/4", 18-1/4")
• Lower profile, lighter weight — 220 lbs total
• Easy access for routine maintenance
• No locking plate required for standard pin boxes
• Made in USA with American steel
• Backed by a 5-year warranty

Specifications

• Brand: Demco
• Model: Hijacker UMS Under-Bed 18K Autoslide
• Part Number: 8550022
• UPC: 616574006722
• Type: Slider Fifth Wheel Hitch (for short truck beds)
• Capacity: 18,000 lb GTW / 4,500 lb vertical load
• Slider Travel: Up to 14" (automatic, rack-and-pinion)
• Rail Type: Demco UMS under-bed
• Hitch Heights: 15-1/2" / 16-3/4" / 18-1/4"
• Net Weight: 220 lbs
• Material: American steel
• Includes: Hitch only
• Sold Separately: Vehicle-specific UMS frame brackets; capture plate (if needed for cushioned pin boxes)
• Cushioned Pin Box Requirement: Capture plate required for MOR/ryde, Trailair Tri Glide, 5th Airborne (Standard/Extended), Demco Glide Ride
• Country of Origin: USA
• Shipping: LTL freight (freight items cannot be returned)
• Warranty: 5-year