Best adapter hitch

I took my 18k Companion from my 98 RAM and is earning it's keep by towing our over 19K Mobile Suites. It is for sale since I have the B&W RVK3600 ordered to drop into our 15 RAM on order.

IMHO if you are hauling a heavy 5er I would stay away from the Andersen.

There is no doubt B&W under rates their hitches and Anderson over rates theirs along with others. Kind of like Sears shop vac claiming they. "Develop 6 HP".

DrDragon wrote:
My RV dealer recommended the B&W Companion, but I wanted to make sure that people who have it are satisfied before I make the investment.

I've towed with the 18K rated Companion since September 2001 and only upgraded to the 20K Companion when we got our new 5th wheel in May 2014. I'm still using the same Companion head assembly from the 2001 hitch (it didn't change with the uprate). Excellent hitch.

Rusty

My RV dealer recommended the B&W Companion, but I wanted to make sure that people who have it are satisfied before I make the investment.

Thanks. I'll look into the Andersen as well. And yes, I have a place for the chains - thanks.

Actually, the truck is not new (2002), just new to me. It came with the gooseneck turnover hitch, and since we are getting ready to buy a farm, I didn't want to loose the ability to use either 5th wheel for RV or gooseneck for horse trailer.

the bear II wrote:
I've had the B&W Companion since 2008 and have been very satisfied with it.

None better!

Compare side by side before buying.

I've had the B&W Companion since 2008 and have been very satisfied with it.

Are you considering a gooseneck adapter for the the 5er? If so, and if you have a new trailer, be aware that SOME trailer manufacturers will void your warranty for using a gooseneck adapter. If you are not under warranty, many owners do use such adapters with no apparent problem.
But as mentioned above, you can get the B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch that fits that gooseneck ball opening. And the hitch is relatively easy to remove when not using to give a clean bed.

Don't forget that if you use an Andersen hitch, you also are required to use safety chains, at least here in AZ, as this is still considered a ball hitch. If the OP's truck doesn't have the safety chain loops installed (I've seen more than one TO Ball installation that doesn't), they might need to be.

Lyle

Have to throw in the Andersen Ultimate 5er as an option. That's what I run with the Turnoverball and love it. If you have a short bed it provides ~5in of additional truck cab clearance which is enough to get me to 90* without a slider. Can't beat only having to lift a 70lb hitch into the bed and being able to hang in on the wall in the garage. Tows like a dream as well

DrDragon wrote:
I have a new to me truck that came with a B&W gooseneck flip over hitch. I am looking into buying a 5th wheel adapter. Which is the best?

I will second the B&W Companion FW hitch. Now, if as you imply, you're looking for a FW to GN adapter, check with your FW manufacturer on the advisability of doing this. On a new FW, many, if not most, mfrs will void the frame warranty if you use a GN adapter. If they say they don't have a problem with doing this, get it IN WRITING! If your FW is out of warranty, you can still have frame issues caused by using the adapter. This is caused by the longer lever arm of the adapter providing a twisting moment in the pin box area of the frame (think about how you might use a cheater pipe on a wrench to turn a stuck nut/bolt). This being said, a lot of people have used them, and I know 2 people who used them, but on =small= (like 20-22') FW's. I've seen them on larger ones, but just would not trust the frame on anything =except= a FW built by a company that builds their own frames. Even then, I'd certainly check with them and get, IN WRITING, a warranty exemption for use of an adapter.

Lyle