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ZeeLet50's avatar
ZeeLet50
Explorer
Apr 05, 2018

new 5th wheel hitch info needed

Our purchase of a 5th wheel is not far off so I am doing my investigating of hitches. I would like the Andersen Ultimate hitch as its lightweight and easier for me to remove. I would also like to not have rails in the bed all the time. So solution is to use a B&W turnover ball under bed mount. Now this is where I am not sure but I will need a mounting plate to adapt to the ball and provide rails for the Andersen to mount. There is a Demco DM6140 mount that appears to do this job. My question is am I thinking properly here or is there something I am missing. Does anyone use a setup like this? Will this be a solid setup? 5th wheel GVW is 13.5 and its going on a '16 GMC 2500.

16 Replies

  • ZeeLet50 wrote:
    Our purchase of a 5th wheel is not far off so I am doing my investigating of hitches. I would like the Andersen Ultimate hitch as its lightweight and easier for me to remove. I would also like to not have rails in the bed all the time. So solution is to use a B&W turnover ball under bed mount. Now this is where I am not sure but I will need a mounting plate to adapt to the ball and provide rails for the Andersen to mount. There is a Demco DM6140 mount that appears to do this job. My question is am I thinking properly here or is there something I am missing. Does anyone use a setup like this? Will this be a solid setup? 5th wheel GVW is 13.5 and its going on a '16 GMC 2500.


    Personally, I'd also investigate installing the OEM FW prep to the bed of the truck, then getting the B&W OEM Companion. Clean bed without having the, possibly useless-to-you, GN hitch. I needed both GN and FW, so went the full monty with TO Ball and Companion. The Companion does come apart into 2 pieces and I'm still hearty enough to be able to move them around (need the workout anyway), though I =do= prefer to have my gym-rat son-in-law around to help. :B

    Lyle
  • jkw that is good news. Hard to decipher that from pictures thus the question. Cheaper too. Etrailer sounded confused when I posed the question.I have heard of a few problems with the Andersen but it was with early models that have since been strengthened. I was wondering if there was a gooseneck option pin box. Other than simplicity, I wonder what other advantages it has. Not that popular out there so there must be some draw backs.
  • If you are going to have a goose-neck hitch, ball in the bed of the truck, and you are going to have a trailer that uses a Lippert frame, you might want to look at a Reese Goosebox so you won't need a hitch at all.( nothing in the bed) This is a little more expensive but no lifting, less weight, and it's an air ride system as well. I'm going this route.
  • There are reports of anderson colapses. You might do some research before spending money. My Hyjacker comes apart for ease of removal. Not a big deal to me. Turnovers require you to put a big hole in the bed. Are you ready for that?
    Personally I would be more interested in a air ride hitch if it were me.
  • The Andersen Ultimate 2 mounts to the B&W with no need for any plate or rails. It pins the ball in place inside the Andersen and you tighten 3 bolts to lock it in place. Many people put a rubber mat under it to keep it from marking the bed liner.

    I love mine. You can really carry the entire hitch in one hand.