I am wondering if there is a difference in difficulty for connecting your FW depending on the hitch you have? We are getting our first FW and will be purchasing the hitch at the dealer. They sell Pullrite but I am wondering how the TrailerSaver Air-Rides compare in terms of ease of connecting? Thanks for any replies. If it matters it is an 8 ft bed.

I have an older Reece 16K hitch, and I don't think there could be an easier hitch to operate. As long as I have the jaws closed, the kingpin at the right height in relation to the hitch and get the kingpin and the hitch in alignment, all I have to do is back the truck. The jaws spread open as the kingpin slides in, and then they close around it. I then do a "pull test" followed by a visual inspection to make sure the jaws are closed around the kingpin correctly.

You're not talking about the Superglide are you? If so, you don't need it with an 8' bed. In my opinion, my B&W Patriot is much better than my Reese was. It doesn't matter if you're a woman or not, you can operate any hitch out there.

Is the intention to remove the hitch between outings?If that is the case then the Anderson Ultimate or something along those lines would be the LIGHTEST and easiest to remove from the truck. (I would get the rail version if it was me).If not, like others have said there really isn't anything physically demanding on any hitch.

Everyone is going to say their hitch is the best. But really they are all essentially the same as far as ease of hitching and unhitching. Except for the Anderson that uses a ball mount. Then you have to be a little more precise in positioning the hitch ball under the trailer receiver. On a standard 5th wheel hitch you can be off an inch or more to the side and it will self align as you back under it.I had a Pullrite Super 5th in my previous truck and it is a very good hitch. I would have bought another for my current truck but at the time they did not have one to fit the Ford factory hitch prep.Have no experience with the Trail Saver.

Probably the easiest to handle for you would be the Andersen Ultimate Fifth Wheel hitch. The hitch itself weighs around 40 lbs...it uses a ball and a socket...you back under the kingpin...drop the hitch on the ball... Twist the locking latch and you are done. Here is a link to the Rail Mount VersionHere is a link to the Gooseneck Mount Ultimate Fifth wheel, but this version is about 75 lbs or so.They even have an aluminum version that weighs less than 40 lbs.If I were going with a light weight fiver this would be high on my list of possible hitches. Thanks!Jeremiah

Easiest 5th hitch to connect for 1 smaller woman?

Me_Again
Explorer III
Jun 06, 2016
One handle removal, mostly thumb! HF 880 lbs electric hoist. Chris

Moderator edit to re-size picture to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.
Mamacast
Explorer
Jun 06, 2016
Traveler II wrote:
Mamacast wrote:
Traveler II wrote:
There is a learning curve for any hitch. In the past we've had a Reese, moved up to a B&W and three years ago bought our Trailer Saver air hitch. Each was better but we really like the Trailer Saver for the way we RV. We have two sticks with a magnets, we put one on the hitch and one on the pin and it make it easy to like
up, works with any hitch, and I can do it by myself. We always do a pull test, put the brakes on the trailer and let the truck pull forward a bit to make sure the hitch is hooked up properly; you do this with any hitch. We had motor homes before the fiver and I find it is easier to hook up the trailer than hooking up the tow car to the MH.

Of course that sent me down the youtube rabbit hole to see how this magnet thing works :E How difficult is the TrailerSaver hitch to unhook and how heavy is it to remove from the truck? The Anderson is appealing because of the light weight, hadn't thought about that aspect.

it is real easy to hook up, back into it and make sure you are compressing the bags. To un-hook, pull the arm and lift the trailer so there is no weight on the bags. We have the BigFoot system so it's easy to do. The hitch is heavy, but for us we travel 6-8 months a year, when we aren't RVing the truck is in the garage, so I just leave it in the bed. I do have a chain hoist if I'm by myself or my son and I can remove it if need be. An Air hitch takes a lot of stress off both the trailer, truck and for those of us in the truck. The other thing is they are pricey.

You stopped me at chain hoist :E
Traveler_II
Explorer
Jun 06, 2016
Mamacast wrote:
Traveler II wrote:
There is a learning curve for any hitch. In the past we've had a Reese, moved up to a B&W and three years ago bought our Trailer Saver air hitch. Each was better but we really like the Trailer Saver for the way we RV. We have two sticks with a magnets, we put one on the hitch and one on the pin and it make it easy to like
up, works with any hitch, and I can do it by myself. We always do a pull test, put the brakes on the trailer and let the truck pull forward a bit to make sure the hitch is hooked up properly; you do this with any hitch. We had motor homes before the fiver and I find it is easier to hook up the trailer than hooking up the tow car to the MH.

Of course that sent me down the youtube rabbit hole to see how this magnet thing works :E How difficult is the TrailerSaver hitch to unhook and how heavy is it to remove from the truck? The Anderson is appealing because of the light weight, hadn't thought about that aspect.

it is real easy to hook up, back into it and make sure you are compressing the bags. To un-hook, pull the arm and lift the trailer so there is no weight on the bags. We have the BigFoot system so it's easy to do. The hitch is heavy, but for us we travel 6-8 months a year, when we aren't RVing the truck is in the garage, so I just leave it in the bed. I do have a chain hoist if I'm by myself or my son and I can remove it if need be. An Air hitch takes a lot of stress off both the trailer, truck and for those of us in the truck. The other thing is they are pricey.
Mamacast
Explorer
Jun 06, 2016
Traveler II wrote:
There is a learning curve for any hitch. In the past we've had a Reese, moved up to a B&W and three years ago bought our Trailer Saver air hitch. Each was better but we really like the Trailer Saver for the way we RV. We have two sticks with a magnets, we put one on the hitch and one on the pin and it make it easy to like up, works with any hitch, and I can do it by myself. We always do a pull test, put the brakes on the trailer and let the truck pull forward a bit to make sure the hitch is hooked up properly; you do this with any hitch. We had motor homes before the fiver and I find it is easier to hook up the trailer than hooking up the tow car to the MH.

Of course that sent me down the youtube rabbit hole to see how this magnet thing works :E How difficult is the TrailerSaver hitch to unhook and how heavy is it to remove from the truck? The Anderson is appealing because of the light weight, hadn't thought about that aspect.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jun 06, 2016
The latch handle on the B&W head is almost a zero force item. It swings easy to unlock. To hitch you swing it forward, and when you back in to snaps back the position to be pinned or locked for travel.

I got mine last fall after 18 years with a Hijacker sliding bar that I loved. Hijacker and B&W may be the only standard fifth wheel hitches now that are not made in china.

Many love their Andersen hitches, however the requirement of safety chains in many states, the extra lifting and the aignment issues keep many with a standard traditional 5th wheel hitch. Chris
Traveler_II
Explorer
Jun 06, 2016
There is a learning curve for any hitch. In the past we've had a Reese, moved up to a B&W and three years ago bought our Trailer Saver air hitch. Each was better but we really like the Trailer Saver for the way we RV. We have two sticks with a magnets, we put one on the hitch and one on the pin and it make it easy to like up, works with any hitch, and I can do it by myself. We always do a pull test, put the brakes on the trailer and let the truck pull forward a bit to make sure the hitch is hooked up properly; you do this with any hitch. We had motor homes before the fiver and I find it is easier to hook up the trailer than hooking up the tow car to the MH.
MFL
Nomad II
Jun 06, 2016
The B&W hitches are all easy to hook/unhook! They all operate in a similar manner, like the one pictured above. My B&W hitch is easy to use, at any angle, whether the truck is crooked, one side of truck higher, just doesn't matter.

For the OPs use, I would recommend the 16K B&W Patriot. IMO, this is the best standard FW hitch available for the money spent. You just won't be unhappy with this hitch, and yes, one woman can hook/unhook by herself! A short person will need a step stool to reach the safety pin. I am 5' 10" and need a little step stool to reach the safety pin. The jaw opening arm is easily reached without a step.

Good luck with your upcoming FW experience!

Jerry
SkiSmuggs
Explorer
Jun 06, 2016
A couple of mentions of pulling the fiver lever to disconnect reminded me of the problems I had sometimes with tension preventing that and having to jockey the truck back and forth to get the stars to align and allow the lever to pull. I haven't had any problem like that since going with the Andersen Ultimate at the start of this season. I would say that it has been the easiest to connect and disconnect by far.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jun 06, 2016
Solid simple to operate with NO question if you are hitched or not.

Compare to any other hitch side by side.

B&W RVK3600 in pic.

Close and lock handle look to see 1" thick jaws are closed around kingpin, it's LOCKED no question.
BB_TX
Nomad
Jun 06, 2016
csamayfield55 wrote:
....................You have to pull the lever toward you to unlatch the jaws and is almost impossible for her. I think almost any of the hitches that opperate like this would be difficult......
........
Chris

Typically due to pressure on the jaws. By bumping the truck back into the hitch the release is easy. My previous Pullrite Super 5th and my current Reese Elite both release with a light pull that way.