Forum Discussion

OutdoorPhotogra's avatar
OutdoorPhotogra
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017

Fifth wheel hitch questions

Greetings All,

About to move into the world of fifth wheels. Have never towed or hooked up a 5er so this is new territory. I've researched hitches from old threads and think I want to go with B&W Companion. I'm open to your arguments for something else.

Heart of my question is does it hurt to buy a hitch rated far above your current 5er's weight?

My 5er will be 8,500 lb GVWR and towing with F-250 long bed, 6.2 gas. B&W Companion is way more than I need. Patriot would be find for weight. I'm considering Companion because:

1. I want/need a flat bed with hitch out to carry kayak, etc. Seems Patriot is only a rail system.
2. I would like to transfer the hitch to a another set-up if/when I upgrade 5-10 years down the road.

Can you buy too much hitch?
What is the life expectancy of a hitch?
Can you move it to another TV without issues?
  • newman_fulltime's avatar
    newman_fulltime
    Explorer II
    Aug 12, 2017
    you can never buy to much hitch. as long as a truck has the B&w ball system it will fit any
  • OutdoorPhotogra's avatar
    OutdoorPhotogra
    Explorer
    Aug 12, 2017
    I don't have Ford's factory 5th wheel prep. I could buy the Ford kit and the Ford B&W but even though I will likely stay Ford, I think I'll buy B&W's version rather than OEM to give flexibility in the future.
  • TxGearhead's avatar
    TxGearhead
    Explorer II
    Aug 12, 2017
    I have a Curt Q20 pulling a 12,500 GVW Montana. Go as big as you want to.
    I'm probably going to start some back and forth and really don't want to. It sounds like you will be taking the hitch out of the truck frequently to haul kayaks, etc. If I had it to do all over again I would go to Andersen hitches. I have to use an engine hoist to get my hitch out, an Andersen is light and you can remove it yourself. Get the Andersen Ultimate Gooseneck Connection. You will need a gooseneck hitch installed in your truck. It will be expensive but you will only do it once. I have some questions about how the Andersen is designed but I haven't heard of any failures. Either I am very dumb or Andersen is very smart.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Aug 12, 2017
    B&W certainly has lots of satisfied buyers. But all the other major brands are very good also and most offer under bed mounting to leave a flat bed. Just a matter of which brand you like best. Any will do the job well for you.
  • ChuckV1's avatar
    ChuckV1
    Explorer
    Aug 12, 2017
    We have a Curt Q20 pulling a 14,500 GVW, an a MorRyde Kingpin box, both great investments ... You can never have to much of a 5th wheel hitch, I recommend buying above what your GVW weight is, thus if you are at 13k buy a 16k hitch, if you are a 15k buy a 30k

    Safe travels
  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    Aug 12, 2017
    I like my Andersen a lot but have the rail mount version. Easy install/removal and zero chucking or clunking.
  • OutdoorPhotogra's avatar
    OutdoorPhotogra
    Explorer
    Aug 12, 2017
    I'll have to research the Anderson. I haven't come up with any other way to haul the kayak. I have a local pond that has BLM boondocking and I could just make two trips to bring the kayak but the hitch has to be manageable.

    I could get a trailer for the kayak which is an option I'm considering as well but that's another $1,000. It's a Hobie so it's a 12 foot 100 lb kayak and more difficult to deal with than some kayaks.
  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    Aug 12, 2017
    There are rack options that you could use to mount the kayak on top of your truck towards the front too. May not be cheaper than an extra trailer but would be less hassle towing/backing.
  • OutdoorPhotogra's avatar
    OutdoorPhotogra
    Explorer
    Aug 12, 2017
    I looked at some of the top racks online last night. I'll have to see if they work with a 12' kayak. I could load it on top from the bed pretty easily. Cost would be the same as a trailer and not have to double tow.

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