New '17 3500 SRW fifth wheel hitch options...San Diego

2012Coleman wrote:
You can have a reputable hitch/welding shop install the fifth wheel prep package for you. The part is available through the dealership. The dealership should be able to install it as well.

Exactly. I purchased the Ram OEM 5th wheel prep kit from MoparPartsOnline.com last year for $225. It's still the same price.

Here is my thread about installing the Ram 5th wheel prep kit.

I believe on some trucks you have to lift the bed. On my 2500 I was able to slide everything into place without raising it.

The B&W under bed gooseneck hitch installs directly into the OEM location. For that hitch and the B&W sliding companion you're looking at $1850 plus the cost of installing the under bed hitch if you can't do it yourself.

For the OEM 5th wheel prep kit you're at $225 for the kit, and $1550 for the hitch....Total $1775. Not a huge difference. It's only drilling 4 holes in the bed and installing 4 brackets. Any quality shop should be able to do this in about 2 hours. If you go with the Curt hitch the total price decreases to $1250. I can't vouch for the quality or operation of the Curt slider compared to other sliding mechanisms. I'm happy with mine, you'll just have to decide for yourself on price.

Like was said previously, I too like the placement of the hitch weight on 4 corners and all of the weight sets directly over the frame.

KJ

I personally think rails or the OEM puck system gives you a more solid connection than any of the ball mount setups, regardless of brand. The pucks give you a cleaner empty bed, but the rails don't make a big difference to me and I use them as tie down points quite a bit when I'm hauling cargo. If you're handy you can install rails or the OE puck setup by yourself pretty easily.

You can have a reputable hitch/welding shop install the fifth wheel prep package for you. The part is available through the dealership. The dealership should be able to install it as well.

BarryG20 wrote:
Happy with my b&w turnover ball and companion. Can have it in or out in about five minutes. Drawback is weight dang thing must push 150-175 lbs.

II have a chain hoist in my garage that I hung from my rafters. I simply back my truck under the hoist, lift out the hitch, pull the truck forward, then lower the hitch onto a furniture dolly. It requires very little effort, doesn't blow out my back, and makes it a one man job.

KJ

Happy with my b&w turnover ball and companion. Can have it in or out in about five minutes. Drawback is weight dang thing must push 150-175 lbs. personally would not consider in bed rails for my truck use. No experience with puck system as my truck didn't come with it and it would have cost me a lot more to install it then replace my hitch as well. Need a goose also so turnoveball went in and my old companion from previous truck went right in

I am using the Superglide on the MOPAR adapter frame on my SRW 3500 with great results. My only complaint is the **** thing is HEAVY and really tough to get in and out of the truck.

I'd find the least expensive as they're all good hitches.

XR4rider wrote:
...I'm actually new to fifth wheels....recently stepped up and got a '17 3500 Aisin SRW Megacab 6'4" box(without fifth wheel prep package). I'm going to be pulling a 29' fifth wheel with a reported hitch weight of 1325lbs.

I was wondering what hitches others are happy with. I will be pulling probably 75% of the time so very concerned with strength and longevity. I have read about the BW Companion, which is considered a "single point attachment". is a single point attachment not a strong or reliable as a rail style?.....

I'm a big fan of the OEM puck system. I bought my truck used and it did not have the system so I installed one myself. I have an 8' bed so I bought a Curt Q20 with the puck mount base and have been very happy with it.

For the most part you have two options.
1) Install the B&W Under Bed Gooseneck Receiver and then use a B&W Companion sliding 5th wheel hitch.

2) Install the OEM 5th Wheel Prep Kit in your bed then get a 5th wheel hitch like the B&W OEM Companion or the Curt Q20 Sliding hitch.

As I said, I've had good experiences with my Curt hitch. There are others that are more sold on the B&W citing build quality and American Made. I can't argue with either of those points, the B&W is a very fine hitch. In my situation, the several hundred dollar price difference was huge at the time of purchase and I had to go with the less expensive Curt Hitch.

In the Short Bed truck I think you really need the sliding hitch. Most of the time you won't use the slider, but for those tight turn situations it will be an absolute must.

KJ

I have a B&W companion and pull a 15,000 5th wheel. I have been very happy with the hitch. It's very easy to remove and install.

Very solid even on rough roads.

I've had it since 2007 with no problems.

I tow an average of once per month each year. Usually 1 to 2 day tows each time.

There all really pretty good. The differences are largely preceived driven by advertising and price. I have been using the same hijacker for 12 years with no issues. Still works just fine, with a 4 way atriculated head its easy to hitch and unhitch even when Im off camber a bit.