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 eve...
Forum Discussion
Luckyc1423, you can't go wrong with the B&W Companion hitch. If you ever think you'll need a gooseneck hitch, you can get the Turnover Ball under bed base with the Companion, or go with one of the several other flavors of Companion. Here's a link to their page: http://www.turnoverball.com/products/rvhitch. Great products and a company that stands behind them. The companion is a 2-piece hitch, with a base section and the "head" that comes off. When I first got mine, I could fairly easily move it by myself. After a few years, I got tired of it and bought a cheap 2-ton engine hoist, modified the boom for a bit extra reach, and use a short chain with a plate on it to lift the whole thing out and put it on a $10 furniture dolly. Hoist folds up to about a 2x3' footprint. Sold the engine stand that came with it, so am into the hoist for about $75, total. :-) Some guys will get an inexpensive electric winch and hang it from a rafter, or use a block and tackle. Some others simply hang the hitch from the king pin on the trailer.
You can get shock-absorbing hitches, but they're expensive. Most people go for a shock-absorbing pin box, instead. If you go this route, watch what you get because some hitches, like B&W, aren't designed for certain, specific, pin boxes.
As for lifting your truck, as the others have said, DON'T, or you'll likely have to lift the FW, too.
Lyle
You can get shock-absorbing hitches, but they're expensive. Most people go for a shock-absorbing pin box, instead. If you go this route, watch what you get because some hitches, like B&W, aren't designed for certain, specific, pin boxes.
As for lifting your truck, as the others have said, DON'T, or you'll likely have to lift the FW, too.
Lyle
