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anaro's avatar
anaro
Explorer
Jun 19, 2014

5er hitch questions

We are looking at getting our first 5er. We have a long bed so we do not need a slider. The 5ers we have narrowed it down to have a gvwr of around 13,500-13,900 lbs. My truck is rated up to 16000 lb 5er (yes I have enough payload for these trailers). I'm guessing a 16k hitch is enough for us and we don't need a 20k hitch?

We are looking at installation for the hitch. If we go through a local dealership it looks to be around $1500 to get base rails, hitch etc in (my truck is not fifth wheel prepped). This would be for a pullrite hitch. Other option I'm considering is having a dealership install just the universal base rails and getting a b&w patriot shipped to us (free shipping). We would attach the hitch to the rails knowing nothing about 5ers hitches. I don't want to skimp on safety but I don't want to spend a fortune if I don't have too. What is the better option here for newbie to 5ers, not new to camping (have had a tt for 3 1/2 yrs). Thanks

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  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jun 19, 2014
    You should have the hitch and rails at same time so rails can be installed where hitch sets properly when attached to rails (king ping should be center line of rear axle or slightly forward).

    Installing the hitch onto the rails is just a natter of setting it down into rails slots and pinning it.
    Installing the rails is more difficult.....bolted to frame and/or to brackets that are welded to frame etc. And having the rails in the right place so hitch sits in the right spot.

    Who is giving you quotes of $1500...rv dealership?
    Check with a local trailer shop..even weld shop for installation
    Purchase the B&W hitch with the rail kit and have it installed.

    My 5vr GVWR is 14,375#.....actual weight when FTng 13,830# towed with a 3500 SRW and a 16K hitch. Great combo/set up
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Jun 19, 2014
    Yes you will be able to install hitch into bed rails no problem. may take a bit of muscle/help to get hitch into position but installing it is simple.
    I went from TT to 5'er about 3 yeas ago. My used, new to me truck had bedrails already installed. Which was a lucky break. Anyway I had new hitched shipped to me and installed it in an hour very simple.
    Don't be afraid to just have rails installed and do the rest yourself.
  • anaro's avatar
    anaro
    Explorer
    Jun 19, 2014
    I guess my question really is, not knowing anything about these hitches, will a newbie be ok installing a hitch onto the bed rails. It looks fairly simple but I don't understand the hitches all that well yet and don't want to miss anything.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Jun 19, 2014
    B&W gets lots of really good reviews. But I had a Pullrite Super 5th 16k in my last truck and was very happy with it. Would have bought one for the new truck had they had one to fit the Ford factory hitch prep at the time (they do now). Can't go wrong with either.
  • brirene's avatar
    brirene
    Explorer
    Jun 19, 2014
    Its tough to beat a B&W, imo. Very sturdy, well made (in USA), and operates easily. That said, lots of folks use Pullrites, Reese, and others. 16k should probably meet your needs; 18 or 20 would be better.

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