Options on hitching a 5th wheel

"I see you have the attached air compressor. I assume it is to air up the air bags in the hitch. I also understand the Hensley Trailer Saver has the option for an attached air compressor.

My Question: How often do the air bags need to be aired up? Is the air compressor "nice to have" or a "must have option"? "

I air up my TrailerSaver hitch at the beginning of the season and it is good to go until next season. I do have on board air as a result of my exhaust brake but have never used it. I could see airing the hitch up higher to give me an extra 1 1/2" of bed rail clearance should the going get rough. If a smooth tow is important and the OP is considering a TrailerSaver then I would suggest a tonneau cover. The hitch is too heavy to install each trip so mine sits in the bed all season. It's too expensive and looks too nice to expose to the elements and prying eyes when not being used. I use an Extang trifold that works well with long bed trucks.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Nicholsfamily05 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Do your self a favor and add the factory prep kit, not a hard or expensive thing to do. then get the B&W RVK3600 hitch and be happy!

WHY the he!! would anyone want rails in a modern truck ???

So I can only imagine he is referring to my pictures and why I would use rails.
Simple easy to install, and as I stated above........
We don't use the truck except to pull our 5er
So how clean our bed looks doesn't matter to us. The hitch never comes out.
A year and a half never taken out. Our last truck 4 years never taken out.
You don't care for it oh well.
And the rails made a really nice mounting spot for my compressor and air tank.

My point is why not have your hitch mount directly to the frame? The cost of your system VS the OE prep, I would guess the OE is less money with the B&W puck mount slider. Just me I would not want compressor mounted above. I had mine on last truck below and it stayed nice and clean.

Looks like a nice job but not what "I" would do. Nice to have choices!

The truck didn't come with it,as it was just sitting on their lot.
and we always have parts laying around. The only thing I had to spend money on was the no drill frame mount kit and well for 130 bucks I'd say good deal.

When we went to pick up our new trailer I showed up with my 15K Reese and after a short time walked out with the new 20K Reese for nothing. Then I gave my 15K to my buddy for his trailer. The new hitch is very heavy, but like I said never comes out.

On my last truck the pump got dirty mounted on the frame rails and well I'm picky so mounted it up there. Didn't like the air tank down there either as it rusted and was a pain to change out the plugs when we added air bags to last truck.
But hey to each their own.
Our truck serves one purpose...... pull the 5er. Always sitting prepped and ready to go with 86 gallons of fuel, fire wood, and the creature comforts.

Nicholsfamily05 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Do your self a favor and add the factory prep kit, not a hard or expensive thing to do. then get the B&W RVK3600 hitch and be happy!

WHY the he!! would anyone want rails in a modern truck ???

So I can only imagine he is referring to my pictures and why I would use rails.
Simple easy to install, and as I stated above........
We don't use the truck except to pull our 5er
So how clean our bed looks doesn't matter to us. The hitch never comes out.
A year and a half never taken out. Our last truck 4 years never taken out.
You don't care for it oh well.
And the rails made a really nice mounting spot for my compressor and air tank.

My point is why not have your hitch mount directly to the frame? The cost of your system VS the OE prep, I would guess the OE is less money with the B&W puck mount slider. Just me I would not want compressor mounted above. I had mine on last truck below and it stayed nice and clean.

Looks like a nice job but not what "I" would do. Nice to have choices!

Jackfate wrote:
Currently have 2016 ram 3500 cc lb TD 4x4. Truck has no prep . What sort of options do I have? Do I need to know what specific trailer I'm hooking? I'm planning on a 5th in the 12,000-16000 gross range. Currently pulling a TT OR light at about 30' & 9000 #.

Thanks

I'm a B&W "fanboy", so I heartily recommend them. I have both the Turnover Ball gooseneck base as well as their fifth wheel Companion hitch. We also have a GN trailer and wanted a clean bed, so this was the best solution for me in 2004. B&W does make a rail mount Companion, so don't think you need the GN base to use one. The company is absolutely top-notch, too. Some of the best customer service I've ever had from any company.

Lyle

I have a 2014 Ram 3500 TD PULLING 14,000 FW. I PUT IN THE Anderson Ultimate Aluminum hitch gooseneck mount. Mounts on a B/W ball in bed of truck that flips under when hitch is removed nice and clean bed. Hitch weighs only 35 lbs which makes it very easy to remove and hang in garage. Hitch rated for 24,000 lbs. works well on short bed box no slider required depending on model of front end of FW and extended pin helps.

***** the quote function didn't work this time around once I tried to remove the photo. but here you go*

I see you have the attached air compressor. I assume it is to air up the air bags in the hitch. I also understand the Hensley Trailer Saver has the option for an attached air compressor.

My Question: How often do the air bags need to be aired up? Is the air compressor "nice to have" or a "must have option"?

We actually don't have air bags, the truck squats a little when the trailer is hitched but the trailer sits level.
We use the compressor for mostly airing up tires if needed, blowing up kids inflatables for the beach or out on the lake where we like to go.
It's very quiet and found it worth while. To us it's a must have sorta thing because we don't like the portable small ones and we have sen others carry an actual pancake compressor. But then they are the ones who complain about not enough space.
Where I mounted it the hitch can slide and function like normal and nothing is in the way. Also it keeps the road grime off of it has plenty of air flow.
Our last truck had air bags and once we filled them to the desired pressure it was good for the trip.

Jackfate wrote:
Currently have 2016 ram 3500 cc lb TD 4x4. Truck has no prep . What sort of options do I have? Do I need to know what specific trailer I'm hooking? I'm planning on a 5th in the 12,000-16000 gross range. Currently pulling a TT OR light at about 30' & 9000 #.

Thanks

Here is my thread on installing the RAM 5th wheel prep package. RAM did a great job of making the bed easy to lift. There are access ports built into the frame so you can put a socket on long extensions to reach the heads of the bed bolts. After I had lifted my bed I realized I could have done it without lifting. Although, I think it's a different story on the 3500's and you have to lift the bed. The only stancion that was a booger was the front driver's side. It was a little tough wiggling around the fuel tank.

I don't have the air suspension but I don't think it should be much different than your truck.

Here is where I got the Ram 5th Wheel Prep Package.

I later installed the center section of the gooseneck prep package but in hindsight I should have done it all at once. Still not a big deal, just one more time to lift the bed.

I absolutely love the OEM puck system. I installed a chain hoist in my garage ceiling and I can easily remove or install my hitch by myself. I bought a Curt Q20 hitch that fits the OEM puck system. The hitch has worked great so far.

KJ

TxGearhead wrote:
Unless you get a Hensley 5th hitch, you may find the hitch is heavy and cumbersome to remove from your truck bed. I discovered using a Harbor Freight 2 ton foldable shop crane works well.

Or just leave it attached to the pin and lift it out with the trailer.

Also 3" is way too little unless you only drive on perfectly smooth roads (which is not realistic). First time you drop one side of the trailer into a deep pothole, your truck bed will meet the 5th wheel overhang. I would suggest 6" as a MINIMUM and more is nice if you can get it.

Unless you get a Hensley 5th hitch, you may find the hitch is heavy and cumbersome to remove from your truck bed. I discovered using a Harbor Freight 2 ton foldable shop crane works well.

Thanks , found my air suspension cuts down on my choices somewhat. Will look at factory prep kit as that's probably compatible with my air suspension.

Cheers