Buddy of mine is looking to get a Ford 350 w/ 20" tires and Ford's factory 5th wheel pkg. His RV dealer is trying to sell him a 16K or 18K slider hitch (short box) for 1500, rails for another 300 + installation (he just bought a used '14 29' toyhauler). He drives semi for a living. Being my truck didn't have the factory 5er pkg, what type/brand of hitch should he be looking at? Don't think he'll need the slider. I have no idea, but could've sworn choices were limited for this set up.Told him I'd ask and report back.Thanks gang.

If he has the 5th wheel package he won't need rails. In my option he likely won't need a slider either. If I were to buy a hitch for my truck today it would likely be a B & W. They make a hitch that will drop into the Ford. There are a few different manufacturers that make hitches for the Ford.

"Charge for installation?"If the Ford factory prep is anything like the Dodge/Ram factory prep, "install" is:1) take hitch out of box2) put hitch head on base3) put unit in back of truck and twist the lock handlesNo way would I "pay" extra for an install.RV dealers should be for buying RVs only... Nothing more.. Everything else on earth can be had elsewhere for a MUCH better price. Your friend should be looking at a truck accessory store.This:http://www.turnoverball.com/products/rvhitch/companion-oem-5th-wheel-hitch-fits-ford-puck-systemcan likely be had for $1100-$1200 or so tax included.

Yep, like said above, B&W for OEM puck system. I have not used a slider with my last two Fords, with no issue. The B&W adjusts up/down, ahead/back, it is a great hitch. Easy install, bottom weighs about 80#s, and head about 75#s.Look at E-trailer, or Tweety's, for a great price!Jerry

The Ford prep is rebranded Reese Elite so the Reese Elite will drop right in. As others have said, B&W makes a drop in for the Ford prep too that's just as good or better for less $. I don't use a slider with my shortbed Ford. The trailer can hit the truck if you're not careful. You can also hit a tree if your not careful...LOL. So, if he pays attention when in tight quarters, he will be fine. I also agree with the others that the RV dealer is being a lot less than honest. Trying to sell someone hitch rails and charging for installation when the truck already has the rails installed is in your face bold BS.

Pullrite and Curt both make a drop in hitch for the Ford factory prep also. Along with Reese and B&W, all are good hitches. Just a matter of which you like best. Rails are already installed under the bed in the factory prep. And the hitch just drops into the holes in the bed. Takes longer to get it out of the box than to install it.As far as a slider. Many do fine with a short bed and no slider and by being careful on tight back-ins. But there are also some who have knocked out a back window or dented a cab with that set up.

Hitches for Ford's 5th wheel pkg | Good Sam Community

35 Replies

SkiSmuggs
Explorer
Oct 23, 2015
minnow wrote:
Somewhat off topic but are the Ram and Ford puck systems the same ? Can a Reese Elite puck hitch be dropped into the Ram holes ?

No, but some only require that you change the puck legs.
DHCamper
Explorer
Oct 23, 2015
Duplicate post
DHCamper
Explorer
Oct 23, 2015
I had the dealer sell me a Ford branded Reese 18k at their cost as part of the deal. They did not hesitate, and it is covered under the Ford vehicle warranty. If there is a problem, they replace the hitch. They don't repair hitches. Very happy with the hitch.
minnow
Explorer
Oct 23, 2015
Well that narrows the choice down. Don't believe the Chevy even has the puck option for 2016.
taken
Explorer II
Oct 22, 2015
minnow wrote:
Somewhat off topic but are the Ram and Ford puck systems the same ? Can a Reese Elite puck hitch be dropped into the Ram holes ?

Ram went full stupid ahead when they designed their 5th prep. They came out with a puck system that NO 5th wheel hitch in production at the time would fit. Their answer was a "picture frame" adapter that was on backorder forever. It's now available as are drop in hitches like the BW for Ram but the whole roll out was completely bass ackward. And as posted above, the Reese Elite won't interchange.
stro1965
Explorer
Oct 22, 2015
minnow wrote:
Somewhat off topic but are the Ram and Ford puck systems the same ? Can a Reese Elite puck hitch be dropped into the Ram holes ?

Not the same. The pucks are spaced much wider on a Ram.
minnow
Explorer
Oct 22, 2015
Somewhat off topic but are the Ram and Ford puck systems the same ? Can a Reese Elite puck hitch be dropped into the Ram holes ?
taken
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2015
Good logic. I have a 25k Elite in mine. They can be found like new / used for the right money on CL and the forums. I sold my 18k and bought a like new 25k for almost the same money. I have a friend in NC who has a like new 18k Elite for sale very cheap if anyone is interested.
SkiSmuggs
Explorer
Oct 21, 2015
taken wrote:
lenr wrote:
The Reese adapter increases height by almost 3" which may play heck with getting the trailer level--did with mine. Rounded nose trailers with dimples will turn a lot shorter without banging the cab, but not all trailers have them. Last time I looked the heavier Elite hitches don't come with the slider, just the 18K does, and it is VERY expensive. Next time I would skip the Ford under-bed system have the B&W under-bed installed, and get a Companion slider.

The Elite slider is expensive and the notched front caps do help with a non slider hitch. But, the point about only the 18k coming as a slider is a bit off. A short bed truck is the only truck you'd need a slider for and short bed trucks aren't rated to tow more than 18k. So, making a slider that handles more weight than that would be useless as there isn't a truck on the market that would be rated to use it.

The factory puck in my F350 is rated for 20K even though the truck is rated for 16.5K. I still plan to get a 20K hitch for the safety margin.
W5CI
Explorer
Oct 21, 2015
I ordered the Adapter for my new RAM 3500 from Tweety's and just set my Reese 16K hitch on that and away I went