OK, so the first two responses on my question gooseneck vs. regular pin hitch don't give me warm fuzzies. Sooooo, it's been almost 20 years since we had our fifth wheel. One of our biggest issues was if we wanted to use the pick-up for hauling the hitch was a pain (and heavy!) to get in and out of the bed. Have they been made any more "portable" so-to-speak? Thanks!

GOOD Hitches are by nature Heavy, there are light weight hitches on the market, but you need to do your research because on lot depends on the size and weight of your 5th wheel.

So what new truck do you have? Many have the factory installed puck system in HD trucks beginning around 2012. If your truck does not have the puck system, even standard rails are easy to install now in most trucks. IMO, having rails, but removing a standard hitch, leaves the bed useable for most things. Lots of standard hitches are easily/quickly separated into two pieces making them quite manageable by one person.Jerry

MFL wrote:So what new truck do you have? Many have the factory installed puck system in HD trucks beginning around 2012. If your truck does not have the puck system, even standard rails are easy to install now in most trucks. IMO, having rails, but removing a standard hitch, leaves the bed useable for most things. Lots of standard hitches are easily/quickly separated into two pieces making them quite manageable by one person.Jerry2021 F350, no hitch or anything as of yet. I can't even remember what our old hitch looked like. One of the reasons why we moved away from the 5th wheel was because of the rail system.

While not standard, I think most 21 F350s would have the fifth wheel prep system (puck system). For your Ford, I suggest best hitch, if FW prep kit, is the B&W 3300. Easy in/out, two pieces 75 lb head, 78 lb base. This a great hitch, very reliable, and user friendly.Smooth bed, no rails!Jerry

MFL wrote:While not standard, I think most 21 F350s would have the fifth wheel prep system (puck system). For your Ford, I suggest best hitch, if FW prep kit, is the B&W 3300. Easy in/out, two pieces 75 lb head, 78 lb base. This a great hitch, very reliable, and user friendly.Smooth bed, no rails!JerryYEA, what Jerry said.

5th wheel hitches | Good Sam Community

72 Replies

curt12914
Explorer
Apr 06, 2021
I guess the "moral of the story" is that there are several options for hitches that most of their users are happy with, but, like most things, you really need to know what your needs (weights) are before you buy.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Apr 06, 2021
CabinetmakerII wrote:
I had purchased the Anderson hitch to replace my B&W 18000 hitch to tow my new 5er that grosses out at 21K. Before I could get it out of the box I saw the Max Pin weight was only 3500 lbs. The pin weight of my 5th wheel is 4300 lbs. Had to go to a Reese

With the factory pucks, B&W has a hitch rated for a 6250 lb pin and 25000 lb gross trailer weight.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2021
CabinetmakerII wrote:
I had purchased the Anderson hitch to replace my B&W 18000 hitch to tow my new 5er that grosses out at 21K. Before I could get it out of the box I saw the Max Pin weight was only 3500 lbs. The pin weight of my 5th wheel is 4300 lbs. Had to go to a Reese

Curious why you would replace the B&W and not go with a new B&W? "Had to go to a REESE"
CabinetmakerII
Explorer
Apr 05, 2021
I had purchased the Anderson hitch to replace my B&W 18000 hitch to tow my new 5er that grosses out at 21K. Before I could get it out of the box I saw the Max Pin weight was only 3500 lbs. The pin weight of my 5th wheel is 4300 lbs. Had to go to a Reese
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2021
4x4ord wrote:
My B&W is extremely easy to put in my truck bed. I use an electric winch to just lower it down out of my garage ceiling into place.

WOW, you get the most creative award.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2021
That's pretty cool.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2021
My B&W is extremely easy to put in my truck bed. I use an electric winch to just lower it down out of my garage ceiling into place.
curt12914
Explorer
Apr 04, 2021
When I bought my 2016 F-350, it had the pucks. I replaced my old 15K Reese (rail mount) hitch with a 24K CURT puck hitch. I really like the CURT hitch. I pull two hitch pin clips and I can remove the pins and head in seconds. I am 65 and I can easily lift the base and head in and reassemble in seconds.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 04, 2021
I don't see ANDERSEN causing frame failure but I have seen reports of pinbox failures.
JTrac
Explorer
Apr 04, 2021
Crowe wrote:
JTrac wrote:
Crowe, not sure what you mean that a goose neck type hitch is less stable. We have a Goose Box on our Pinnacle and have towed in all kinds of conditions, including some pretty stiff cross winds. I've never thought the towing experience is any different from any other hitch I have used and that includes a B&W Companion and a Trailer Saver BD3 air ride. If anything, the ride is even better with the Goose Box. What I really like is removing a 5 pound ball and I've got my bed back.

It's just from what I've read, not based on any experience. If we buy the unit was just fell in love with we would use the "puck" type system to save the bed.

We've had the puck system in our last 2 trucks. Rails were a pain if you use the bed much. We use a Pull Rite ball in the center hole and 2 clips we got with a previous Ford in the rear holes for the safety chains for the Goose Box. Quick and easy.

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5th wheel hitches

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