New 5th Wheel. Anything I should get before picking it up?

Weldon wrote:
Why not go to the Reese website and see what they offer in hitches. Then you can talk to your dealer about what he is installing.
Probably already mentioned but do have a 50 to 30 amp adapter. I recently arrived after dark at a campsite. The 50 amp would not work so I used my adapter and connected to a 30 amp and had power. I was happy.

Weldon, I have been to the Reese site and plan on doing just what you suggest with the dealer later this morning. Also, I have the opposite adapter (30 to 50) for when my 30 amp travel trailer had to be in a site that only had a 50 amp receptacle. Thank you for your thoughts on this. I'll be getting a new adapter in the near future and selling the one I have.

Why not go to the Reese website and see what they offer in hitches. Then you can talk to your dealer about what he is installing.
Probably already mentioned but do have a 50 to 30 amp adapter. I recently arrived after dark at a campsite. The 50 amp would not work so I used my adapter and connected to a 30 amp and had power. I was happy.

If you can go with the B&W. You will not regret it.

2012Coleman wrote:
So you could get the puck prep, have it installed and buy the Patriot hitch that uses the pucks - then have a flat bed when your not towing. Wasn't trying to push a particular brand, just letting you know that you have the option to have the plugs installed.

I know you weren't. I didn't mean to sound like I thought you were either. It's all good! I'm all ears with any opinions everyone has. It wasn't long ago that I had to learn all about travel trailers and enjoyed every minute of it. Now I'm learning about 5th wheel campers and hitches. God I love this lifestyle!

So you could get the puck prep, have it installed and buy the Patriot hitch that uses the pucks - then have a flat bed when your not towing. Wasn't trying to push a particular brand, just letting you know that you have the option to have the plugs installed.

2012Coleman wrote:

RobWNY wrote:
All I have in his purchase price quote is "Reese 5w" No model indication. I guess I need to hijack my own thread and get opinions on the better hitches and their costs. I only want to buy a hitch once.

On the advice of this forum, and many of the posters in this thread, I bought a B&W companion from E-Trailer.com after comparing brands. Saved several hundred in taxes and shipping as there is neither when ordering from them.

Oh yea - the dealer and hitch shop told me they could have ordered it for me - 300 to 400 bucks more though. Check out E-Trailer.

The ones they want to sell you are junk and or overpriced.

On edit - I see you stated you have no bed prep kit. Neither did I. I just had it installed! Bought the parts from the dealer and they recommended a shop in town to do it. Had them install the in-bed plug too.

I'm aware of the hitches dealers install are the cheapest you can get. That happened when I bought my first travel Trailer. That's why I want to buy a hitch once. Been there, done that! I don't think I have a need for the companion hitch though. I don't own anything that would require a gooseneck nor will I ever own anything that needs that style of hitch but I do like the Patriot 16K that Jerry mentioned.

RobWNY wrote:
All I have in his purchase price quote is "Reese 5w" No model indication. I guess I need to hijack my own thread and get opinions on the better hitches and their costs. I only want to buy a hitch once.

On the advice of this forum, and many of the posters in this thread, I bought a B&W companion from E-Trailer.com after comparing brands. Saved several hundred in taxes and shipping as there is neither when ordering from them.

Oh yea - the dealer and hitch shop told me they could have ordered it for me - 300 to 400 bucks more though. Check out E-Trailer.

The ones they want to sell you are junk and or overpriced.

On edit - I see you stated you have no bed prep kit. Neither did I. I just had it installed! Bought the parts from the dealer and they recommended a shop in town to do it. Had them install the in-bed plug too.

Hey Rob, we were all new to this at one time.:) For your truck, gas engine, just about any hitch will work, since your FW max towing weight would be less than 15K. This is the starting capability of most hitch brands. Nothing wrong with using the rail system, it's been reliable for many years. Many hitches will fit the standard rail system. GM trucks have the most axle center to cab clearance, and IMO, you do not need a sliding hitch, with your new round nosed FW.

I will give my recommendation/opinion on the best hitch for your use, as I mentioned B&W hitches are MY preference. The 16K Patriot would be a great choice, and IMO you cannot buy a better standard rail hitch. It is one of the most user friendly, safest, solid/quiet hitches you can get, for the money spent. It is even nice looking, smooth welds, and powder coat finish. It can be seen at, and best price, with free shipping at E-trailer, or Tweety's. Your dealer can still install the rails, the Patriot will fit Reese rails, but the rails from B&W would be the same gray powder coat.

I am on the forum often, but you can PM me as well, if you wish. I'm sure others will have good recommendations too.

Jerry

MFL, It's a 2015 Chevy 2500HD Gasser with the 6'5" bed. No prep kit or turn over ball. Just the standard run of the mill 2500HD. The dealer said the Reese hitch can be removed by pulling 4 pins and all that's left is 2 cross rails that stick up about an inch. be gentle with me on this. Like I said, this is my first 5th wheel and I'm as Green about this stuff as I can be!

Note: The camper I bought states the pin weight is 1,625 pounds. I don't know if that would give any indication on which Reese hitch is likely to be installed in my truck or not but thought I'd throw that out there.

RobWNY wrote:
All I have in his purchase price quote is "Reese 5w" No model indication. I guess I need to hijack my own thread and get opinions on the better hitches and their costs. I only want to buy a hitch once.

Okay Rob, if you want to talk about hitches, we first need to know about your truck. What is it? Does it have the FW prep kit installed? Does it have a turn over ball, or similar? Do you plan to use the rail system? Is it a standard bed, long bed, and what brand truck, as some have longer distances between axle center and rear of cab?

Jerry