5th wheel hitch selection help

Background:
I have not purchased a truck or a toy hauler (5th wheel) yet. I probably have about 4 more months before we purchase both of those but I am wanting to do all my research now so I know everything I need to get. I have towed several large boats, but I have never towed a 5th wheel so this will be brand new to me (lots to learn which is why im waiting a few months to buy so i can research)

I will probably buy a toy hauler around 33' - 39' that weighs less than 16,000 pounds because that is the limit of the SRW F350 truck. I am probably either looking at a Keystone fuzion, Keyston Raptor, a Spartan, or any of the Heartland models. (Not sure if you need to know that for hitch selection)

I plan on buying a 2015 F350 SRW truck (short bed). I am in sales so the truck being SRW is most important as I go in and out of downtown alot here in houston.

Rank in order of importance of what is important to me in a hitch

A) Being able to remove the hitch either by myself or with my wife. So weight might come in to play (I have no idea how much hitches weigh). But I will be removing the hitch after every camping trip.

B) Worry Free tight corners. What I mean is if I get into a hairy situation I dont want to end up damaging my truck because I turned to sharp. I want to be able to turn into potential sharp parking spots, and want to be able to get out of somewhat tight gas stations

C) Worry Free "hitch locking". I have never owned a 5th wheel, so I want to be 100% sure the 5th wheel is engaged and will not come out and hit the back of my truck

D) I dont know if this is a issue, because I have never towed a 5th wheel. But considering You have 2-3k pounds of weight in the bed of the truck (from the 5th wheel) is it possible for the 5th wheel to push down on the truck making it jump? Or possible to push and pull the truck around? I read something somewhere about some type of shocks in the hitches. I dont want to go to crazy with a hitch because I want this to be simple and easy to go camping. Plus I want to be able to remove the hitch after every trip.

Now to the questions
1) Do I need some type of slider hitch since I have a short bed truck. If so please explain why and the best hitch (keep weight in mind as I need to be able to remove this with my wife)
2) I will be ordering a new 2015 F350. Do I need to have the install the factory "5th-Wheel/Gooseneck Trailer Tow prep package" or does this need to be done aftermarket? What are the pro's and con's of going factory or aftermarket? (I was thinking factory but I want to make sure I do it right)

3) I sort of want a 2"-3" lift on the truck. Definitely nothing more than a 3" lift with medium sized tires/rims. Can I lift a truck 2-3" and still be able to tow a 5th wheel? if not i wont lift it. I didnt know if I lift it 3" if that would make the back end scrape the ground (make the 5th wheel tilt backwards) --> Remember I am a newbie so this may be a dumb question.

Ultimately, what hitch/tow prep package should I get given my above requirements?

50 Replies

danojeno
Explorer
Jul 15, 2014
What a can of worms huh? As you can see, everyone has their opinion on the best stuff. I won't bore you with opinions on brand names but I will say to get some type of automatic sliding hitch or rotating pin box. There are those who say you may get by if you are careful or if you have sculpted cutouts or whatever. Ignore them and buy the slider unless you get a guarantee in writing that no contact can be made between the truck and trailer.
drfife
Explorer
Jul 15, 2014
gtsum wrote:
The B&W hitch for the ford and ram factory prep package IS compatible with the Sidewinder. The Turnover ball model is not compatible

I did not see that B&W made a distinction. Their quote was for their Companion hitch. Nothing stated about the Turnover Ball vs Puck system.

Have you verified your statement with B&W?

I'm only going by the info on their website.
gtsum
Explorer
Jul 15, 2014
drfife wrote:
B&W Companion is not compatible with the Sidewinder.

http://www.turnoverball.com/products/rvhitch/companion-5th-wheel-hitch

I have seen products, such as converters and extenders that say they can be used with your products. Is it true?

At B&W, there is nothing more important to us than the safety of our customers. We often see products on the market that refer to B&W products or state that they can be used with B&W products. Because of our commitment to exceptional design and quality, as a rule of thumb, we do not recommend any product that is used in conjuction with our mounting system that has not been manufactured and tested by B&W, even if that product states that it can be used with B&W products. Doing so will void our warranty, but more importantly, could create a safety issue.

We have been made aware of a product that is of special concern. This product replaces the pin box on a 5th wheel trailer and changes the pivot point from the hitch jaws to a point rearward of the hitch. It is our opinion that this configuration creates stress loads that fall outside the normal testing done on 5th wheel hitches. We are concerned that moving the pivot point rearward as much as 20 inches puts stress on the hitch (and the truck) that has not been widely studied. Therefore, we strongly discourage the use of our Companion 5th Wheel Hitch with one of these pin boxes. Any product that prevents the king pin from rotating within the jaws of the Companion with a wedge or other device and moves the center of rotation to a point other than the locking jaws should not be used with the Companion.

The B&W hitch for the ford and ram factory prep package IS compatible with the Sidewinder. The Turnover ball model is not compatible
ApexAZ
Explorer
Jul 14, 2014
I think superglide is it. Any opinions on ISR versus traditional? My thought is if I ever sell the truck, standard rails may be more desirable? I suppose I could sell the hitch with the truck as well.
glazier
Explorer II
Jun 30, 2014
ApexAZ wrote:
The B&W Companion is supposed to be pretty easy to remove, so I'm thinking that coupled with a sidewinder pin box might be a great solution for a 6.5 bed if they are compatible?

Not with the single point turnover ball socket. You can use a sidewinder with a puck mount Companion. If your thinking of a Sidewinder pin box, you might want to look at other brands of hitch. Reese, Curt, are just a couple that come to mind. If only towing a fifth wheel ( no gooseneck ) with a standard bed truck, I would look hard at Superglide.
drfife
Explorer
Jun 30, 2014
B&W Companion is not compatible with the Sidewinder.

http://www.turnoverball.com/products/rvhitch/companion-5th-wheel-hitch

I have seen products, such as converters and extenders that say they can be used with your products. Is it true?

At B&W, there is nothing more important to us than the safety of our customers. We often see products on the market that refer to B&W products or state that they can be used with B&W products. Because of our commitment to exceptional design and quality, as a rule of thumb, we do not recommend any product that is used in conjuction with our mounting system that has not been manufactured and tested by B&W, even if that product states that it can be used with B&W products. Doing so will void our warranty, but more importantly, could create a safety issue.

We have been made aware of a product that is of special concern. This product replaces the pin box on a 5th wheel trailer and changes the pivot point from the hitch jaws to a point rearward of the hitch. It is our opinion that this configuration creates stress loads that fall outside the normal testing done on 5th wheel hitches. We are concerned that moving the pivot point rearward as much as 20 inches puts stress on the hitch (and the truck) that has not been widely studied. Therefore, we strongly discourage the use of our Companion 5th Wheel Hitch with one of these pin boxes. Any product that prevents the king pin from rotating within the jaws of the Companion with a wedge or other device and moves the center of rotation to a point other than the locking jaws should not be used with the Companion.
ApexAZ
Explorer
Jun 30, 2014
The B&W Companion is supposed to be pretty easy to remove, so I'm thinking that coupled with a sidewinder pin box might be a great solution for a 6.5 bed if they are compatible?
Bamaman11
Explorer
Jun 30, 2014
As far as the Anderson Hitch goes, they're pretty difficult to get into position--placing the trailer hitch right over the hitch ball. Sounds as if it's a trial and error proposition.

You need a wireless camera and monitor to see your truck's position. Some also use a couple of the magnetic balls that you "touch" to get them lined up.
Scott_85
Explorer
Jun 30, 2014
ApexAZ wrote:
What makes the Anderson hitch better than a traditional 5th wheel hitch? The site doesn't really seem to describe the advantage other than the lower weight and easy installation. Does towing performance improve?

The up side of the Andersen is the weight at only 70 pounds one person can set it up. You don't have to worry about a hoist or anything else to help set it up. That is the reason I went with the Andersen. Switching from the top of the line B&W to the Andersen I noticed no difference in towing.
sdetweil
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
ApexAZ wrote:
What makes the Anderson hitch better than a traditional 5th wheel hitch? The site doesn't really seem to describe the advantage other than the lower weight and easy installation. Does towing performance improve?

apparently many 5th wheel hitches have some play when latched around the trailer kingpin (I don't think I have very much at all on my B&W hitch). the Anderson connection is more like gooseneck, ball in socket, with very little play front/back/side/side.

the lack of play seems to improve the overall feel. no jerking/bucking.

I haven't towed with one, but keep looking.