I just ordered a new Grand Design Reflection 318RST 5th wheel (GVWR 13,995) and plan to buy a 2016 GMC 3500 Duramax truck next. The truck has a 6.5' bed. I've spent a week reading up on hitches on multiple forums and I've narrowed my choice of hitches to the B&W Companion and Trailer Saver BD3 Air-Ride. My needs:I want the hitch to be completely removed from the bed when not in use (nothing at all showing).It has to be something I can lift out myself without a hoist.It needs to provide a smooth ride that protects the truck and 5th wheel.Is there a factory under bed hitch mount option I should order with my truck that will make installing the hitch easier or can I get everything I need from the hitch manufacturers? I guess I'll throw in one more question while I'm at it...Can I get the best of both worlds by replacing the pin box on the 5th wheel with a Trail-Air and then getting the B&W Companion which appears to be lighter for removing from the bed?Kind of overwhelmed with all the options available. Money is no object which helps. Any help would be appreciated!

Everyone will defend the one they have, and you will get twelve more suggestions. I will only offer my thoughts, I have a Trailer Saver, I liked the idea of moving the hitch should I upgrade my current truck. Felt like if I put the air bags in the pin box I would have to leave it.Best of luck, safe rides!

You could go with a goose neck adapter and Goose neck hitch from factory.

I think they call the four mounting holes the puck system. I think you can order this from the factory. They didn't have this when I ordered my truck.

3 dog nights wrote:I have a Trailer Saver, I liked the idea of moving the hitch should I upgrade my current truck. Felt like if I put the air bags in the pin box I would have to leave it.Excellent point. ThanksDo you think I should order the factory GMC under bed hitch prep (whatever that is) or just order whatever is available from Trailer Saver for their hitch system?

I just moved from a '13 GMC to a '15 and had a B&W put in this time around. Had one in a previous Super Duty but when I picked up the '13 GMC went with a Reese because that is what was available at the time. I could not stand the bed rails and removal of the hitch was a pain as well. I quickly regretted not going back with the B&W.This time around I went back with B&W as a hitch and have the Mor/Ryde pin box on my 5'er from the factory. It's a smooth combination. Zero chucking or squeaking and everything is always in place inside the unit upon arrival.The clean bed when not in use is a plus and having the ability to hitch to a gooseneck if necessary is just added flexibility.There isn't a thing needed from the factory, the B&W kit has everything necessary. Do have the installer put a plug in the bed though so your power cord isn't banging around on the tailgate or drag/snag hazard. The top part is universal so if you change vehicles down the road you only need the bed rail kit.The B&W comes out in 2 pieces but neither is very light. Doable for 1 person as I do it all the time solo but it is so much easier for 2 people. I'd time it to have a buddy and a beer handy just to have a reason to. :)

Help with hitch decision | Good Sam Community

W5CI
Explorer
Nov 26, 2015
I jsut got a new 2015 RAM 3500 with the Prep Kit, a clean floor when hitch is removed, I would post a picture but I cant figure out how
Me_Again
Explorer III
Nov 26, 2015
mtofell1 wrote:
Does anyone have a problem with just releasing a hitch from the truck (while leaving it clamped on the king pin), elevating it with the landing gear, driving the truck out and storing it hanging from the 5th wheel?

This seems to be a pretty easy way to move and store the hitch. Given the design of the 5th wheel and hitch, the static load of a couple hundred pound hitch hanging from the king pin is nothing compared to what occurs while driving. Something tells me there will be many naysayers :)

Just be sure to padlock the release handle. The issue is reinstalling it. I think you will find that you set it back on the bed and pullout to manually lift it in place to latch it down OR spend a half hour getting the truck to the right position. I say this for actually having done it a couple times. I find with the hoist I can push it around enough for final alignment to drop it in the pucks.

Chris
Me_Again
Explorer III
Nov 26, 2015
Sport45 wrote:
Me Again wrote:
I remove my B&W RVK3270 manual slider and Demco 6099 picture frame as a single unit from the RAM pucks with just my thumb and a HF hoist! Chris

I'm late to the party, but gotta say I like the way you used that vanity light fixture. I may have to do the same in place of a couple shop lights I have.

That is right over where I set up my 4' x 8' upholstery table. Yeah, I sew! OK, I have come clean. Had a ruff start 60 some years ago as a kid when I ran a needle through a finger with a treadle machine and had to turn it back up myself!

Chris
bertschb
Explorer
Nov 26, 2015
I think a lot of people do just that. I agree that it shouldn't harm anything but then again, I'm not a structural engineer.
mtofell1
Explorer
Nov 26, 2015
Does anyone have a problem with just releasing a hitch from the truck (while leaving it clamped on the king pin), elevating it with the landing gear, driving the truck out and storing it hanging from the 5th wheel?

This seems to be a pretty easy way to move and store the hitch. Given the design of the 5th wheel and hitch, the static load of a couple hundred pound hitch hanging from the king pin is nothing compared to what occurs while driving. Something tells me there will be many naysayers :)
Sport45
Explorer II
Nov 26, 2015
Me Again wrote:
I remove my B&W RVK3270 manual slider and Demco 6099 picture frame as a single unit from the RAM pucks with just my thumb and a HF hoist! Chris

I'm late to the party, but gotta say I like the way you used that vanity light fixture. I may have to do the same in place of a couple shop lights I have.
bertschb
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015
I'm actually OK going aftermarket on the 5th wheel prep because I can get exactly what I want. But, they are behind the competition on their offerings for sure.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Nov 17, 2015
minnow wrote:
GM is really behind the competition on the 5th wheel prep package. Ram and Ford have had this for what, 2 years now ? Not that one can't get the underbed mount installed aftermarket, but when you are spending $50,000 + seems a little stupid to have to go out and spend another $1000 or so for what the competition is offering for $400 with a factory warranty to boot.

Maybe GM is trying to figure out a solution that will work on the assembly line with their Infamous Bed Bump on some of their trucks keeping the bed from being flat.

The factory prep is nice but I have known more than a few Super Duty owners opt not to get the factory package and go with a B&W turnover ball. One friend of mine has a Turnover Ball goose neck underbed hitch and Reese Fifth Wheel above the bed rails... I kind of scratch my head on that one...

Thanks!

Jeremiah
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Nov 17, 2015
minnow wrote:
GM is really behind the competition on the 5th wheel prep package. Ram and Ford have had this for what, 2 years now ? Not that one can't get the underbed mount installed aftermarket, but when you are spending $50,000 + seems a little stupid to have to go out and spend another $1000 or so for what the competition is offering for $400 with a factory warranty to boot.

I completely agree. I would also think ford will have upgraded their puck mount system in the 2017 MY. B&W does not rate their Ford hitch very high. I am assuming the reason is the placement is so close fore and aft with their puck locations. The RAM puck hitch has a much larger footprint with 25K towing and 6,250 pin.
minnow
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015
GM is really behind the competition on the 5th wheel prep package. Ram and Ford have had this for what, 2 years now ? Not that one can't get the underbed mount installed aftermarket, but when you are spending $50,000 + seems a little stupid to have to go out and spend another $1000 or so for what the competition is offering for $400 with a factory warranty to boot.

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