Going from a TT to a 5th wheel soon. Never been around 5ers before. Looking at a couple different campers and they of course sell different brands of hitches. Reese, Husky, and ?. Just wondering if there are any differences between brands and if there are any brands I should avoid. What brand do you think is best and why? Like I said, I'm new to all this and usually I would do a ton of research, but I'm feeling lazy and thought I would ask you guys instead.

 

I have a Husky 16K Slider.I am very happy with it because it is very well built and most importantly it has a locking wrap around latch mechanism for the pin.Very secure.I prefer this type of latch over the "Jaws" type.Also the hitch head pivots front to back AND side to side.Whatever hitch you get,make sure it pivots in both directions,it will save from putting too much twisting motion on your frame and make it easier to hitch and unhitch on unlevel ground.Even with a short bed you may or may not need a slider hitch.I do not use mine very often but you may need one.I have an extended pin and the corners of the fiver are rounded so I would REALLY have to jackknife my trailer to make it hit the truck.Its easier to just pull up a little and back it in again.I really think that most hitch manufacturers make a good hitch,its the features that I have noted that are important to me.Good Luck!

 

Reese is a good brand. never had any problems with the ones we've had

 

I'd agree with what has been posted above in that I also prefer the kind that has jaws that surround the pin, so you can easily see that the jaws are in the groove on the pin, and not under the pin. Pivoting 4 ways is also a must, in my book.

I also like to see a good range of fore/aft and up/down adjustability.

If I were to tow a 5th wheel with a short box, though, I think I'd be looking at a Superglide. Basically the head of the hitch moves rearward automatically as you start to turn sharp, so you don't have to stop to get out and move the hitch.

For a long bed, I really like my Companion by B&W. Not having rails when the hitch is out is nice, but the downside is that a 3/4 deep well socket and ratchet are required to remove it.

Also, that being said, the next time I set up a truck for a 5th wheel I think I'll go with one of the air ride hitches.

 

I saw a superglide and thought "that's exactly what I need and want." Then I saw the price tag . I'd have to buy a smaller trailer just to afford the hitch.

I'll have to look into the B&W. I like the idea of not having rails in the bed when I won't be towing.

 

So I was just looking at the B&W set up. Do you have to buy the turnover hitch and then buy the companion 5th wheel hitch to add to it? So it's over $1,000 for the whole set up, is that right?

 

Those things are pricey, but if you think you might forget once during the time you own the truck to slide a manual slider, the superglide might be cheaper than a smashed cab and trailer... They also have a super-rail systsem that leaves a flat bed.

Anyhow, with regard to B&W, although there is no provision to slide the hitch, I've talked to people who've used them in a short box with no problems. You would want to measure carefully, though, since the width of the trailer and where the pin is (under, or ahead of the body of the trailer) would determine whether it would work for you... If you are looking at new/newer 5th wheels, many now come with the corners cropped to be more friendly to short box trucks.


Edit: Yes, the B&W system requires purchase of the turnover ball goose hitch, and the Companion 5th wheel hitch. The Companion secures to the socket of the goose neck hitch. It's been a while since I bought mine, but I'm sure retail would be around $1200 for the whole system.

 

I have a draw tite and it works fine (best price I found was Camping World). I got the slide since I have the short box but I have only used it once. I have a Weekend Warrior 5er and it has the extended kingpin. I have made some sharp turns in the desert and have never hit. It comes close and I always have my wife watch out.

My buddy has a B&M hitch and I would have got that one if I knew ahead of time that I would not need a slider. It is a nice hitch.

 

I have the same one as snowdog. I believe it is the best bang for the buck, by far. Do get a slider.

 

I See a ton of them on there for a good price.....

 

I have the Reese 16k and read a bunch of posts here and Ford site about the danger of the locking jaws. Most of the guys that had seen it let go said it happened right at the beginning of the trip. Led me to believe most of the failures were improper hookup followed by not eyeballing both jaws clamped around the king pin. Just my opinion. I went with the 16k for the side to side motion.

If I regularly was going to switch between a 5r and GN I would have gone with the B&W. Good hitch, had the GN in my last truck, never had the companion 5r attachment though.

 

I'm a complete idiot about 5th wheel hitches at this point. Please explain this statement to me. The camper I'm getting will be about 15k.

 

The lighter Reese 5r I looked at (I think 14 or 15K) only had a front-to-back pivot on it, the 16K lets the trailer and 5W plate pivot front-to-back and side-to-side. So if you are going over uneven terrain it gives a 4 way pivot point at the king pin to absorb some of the stress that would otherwise be absorbed by your truck and trailer frame.

Front-to-back pivot is looking at your truck/trailer from the side, the range of motion that lets your truck and trailer be on opposite sides of a hillcrest without lifting something off the ground.

Side-to-side is looking at your truck from the front or rear, the range of motion that lets your truck enter a banked turn while the trailer wheels are still on level ground.

(Good luck with me explaining!)

 

If your 5er is 15K lbs. I'd honestly look @ a hitch w/a higher capacity, say 18 or 20K just to be safe. Get a slider & one that pivots left to right & front to back. Also, I personally would not get one that has the 2 jaws. Just my $.0002(dang inflation).

 

husky 25k I like being able to see that its locked on the pin