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

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 08, 2021
I never remove my hitch or toolbox. On my 98 I hated the RBW rails. A friend turned me onto B&W that left my bed clear. I have thanked him many times.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 08, 2021
Crowe wrote:
OK mods, you can close this one. I've got the info I need.

WHY??? Don’t you think others may glean info that’s useful? Seems a bit selfish to close it when you have what you wanted.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 08, 2021
fj12ryder wrote:
cummins2014 wrote:
I have always thought the biggest joke of all is anyone making a claim you can’t drop a fifth wheel with a B&W , nothing is further from the truth , you certainly can drop one on the bed with the B&W hitch .
Sure can...if you're blind. That's about the only way.

YEP, so simple just do a VISUAL test. Kingpin plate and hitch plate touching, jaws closed around kingpin and handle closed and locked. It simply can’t fall. Complete waste of time to do a pull test I’d you do what I just detailed.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 08, 2021
Crowe wrote:
OK, kids, can we keep it civil? Pros and cons supported by experience.

HAAAAAAA, you obviously have not seen uncivil.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 08, 2021
sayoung wrote:
Crowe wrote:
What the OP is requiring in his post is the ideal application for an Andersen.

HER post LOL! I write, hubby researches the technical stuff and has decided on a B&W hitch.

As a former Andersen cheerleader getting the B&W is the smartest thing you could do . I use a B&W Patriot on a Curt X-Rail and the only upgrade I would think about is one of the air ride hitches.

Good call! Next best is B&W puck hitch.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 08, 2021
Ron3rd wrote:
MFL wrote:
On new/newer trucks, with thinner bed metal, or aluminum bed, I would not use any single point attachment hitch, from any hitch maker. Just attaching to the ball only, and using the bed for stability can cause truck bed damage/deflection. Andersen does not make a hitch to fit the FW pucks. An adapter would be needed to attach to the pucks, and a 4-point steel Andersen hitch to fit the adapter.

Jerry

MFL I think you're referring to the Aluminum Andersen that mounts to a gooseneck ball in the bed. That's the only attachment to the truck. In a way I agree with you on that style of hitch. I'm not a fan of that style but a lot of people run them and like them.

I'm running the Steel Anderson that mounts to Industry Standard Rails like many other fifth wheel hitches. The load is carried by the frame brackets under the bed and not the bed itself so it's no different from a normal fifth wheel hitch in that respect.

I didn't have the puck system so I went with Pullrite Industry Standard Rails allowing me to use the Andersen, Superglide, or whatever.

I don’t get why with all the other options why anyone would WANT rails.
cummins2014
Explorer
Apr 08, 2021
Crowe wrote:
OK mods, you can close this one. I've got the info I need.

Are you sure now :B
cummins2014
Explorer
Apr 08, 2021
fj12ryder wrote:
cummins2014 wrote:
I have always thought the biggest joke of all is anyone making a claim you can’t drop a fifth wheel with a B&W , nothing is further from the truth , you certainly can drop one on the bed with the B&W hitch .
Sure can...if you're blind. That's about the only way.

Yup , you are 110 % right , BUT it’s been done with every hitch , so again , nothing is further from the truth then you can’t, or it’s impossible.
Crowe
Explorer
Apr 08, 2021
OK mods, you can close this one. I've got the info I need.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Apr 07, 2021
cummins2014 wrote:
I have always thought the biggest joke of all is anyone making a claim you can’t drop a fifth wheel with a B&W , nothing is further from the truth , you certainly can drop one on the bed with the B&W hitch .
Sure can...if you're blind. That's about the only way.

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5th wheel hitches

72 Replies

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