5er Noob Looking for a Hitch

I have a B&W Patriot slider that I bought 3 years ago for my 2018 RAM Short Bed.
The hitch has performed flawlessly. I have no experience other than this.
You would only need the Companion non-slider with your long bed.
I had the place I bought mine install the rails for me.
I also had them install a 7-Pin inside the bed. Very handy.
Just talked with a neighbor of mine yesterday and he installed his own rails.
Said it took him about 2.5 hours. Then he had to go to a friend's house to borrow a 200# torque wrench.
Just depends how handy you are.
I just upgraded to your truck, but a 2021. New truck has pucks in bed.
I am waiting for my adapter to arrive tomorrow.

I think you do not have the OEM puck system, since you are asking about installation? If you want a rail hitch, the B&W Patriot is one of the best, for the dollars spent.

It is not hard to install the rail system. In most cases, you can buy the underbed frame mounting brackets, designed to fit your truck, without drilling. You just need to drill bed holes to attach rails to brackets.

While a 7-pin in bed plug may be handy, it is not needed.

Just stay away from the less expensive entry level hitches. I know you already know this, having owned a Hensley.

Jerry

Any 15K hitch will work on a regular bed (8') truck. You just have to ask yourself what you want to pay for what others might think of as advertised bells and whistles.

Thanks guys, any thoughts about this BV&W 20k Underbed hitch? I like the idea of being able to remove the hitch if I need the bed for other stuff.

They include this disclaimer: Note: This fifth-wheel trailer hitch is not compatible with Sidewinder or Revolution king pins. Do not use any device that changes the pivot point of your trailer's king pin with this hitch.. Is this something I should worry about? Trailer we are looking at is a 2007.

Spend a few bucks and a couple hours and add the pucks!!! You will not regret it. You have a great truck now get a great hitch.

What's the difference between the pucks and an undermount hitch like the one I posted?

The puck system requires your truck has the pucks installed - newer trucks. Did you post what year your truck is?

The second one you posted is the same that I have. I also have a gooseneck trailer, so it requires a B&W turn over ball to also be installed. The advantage is you have 2 hitches if you need that. The other advantage is that when you take the 5th wheel hitch out, your bed is back to original, basically, no rails left in the bed. That's great if you haul lumber or dirt or whatever you might do with the bed of your truck. Finally, IMO, the B&W companion is a well made sturdy hitch, lots of US steel and heavy. The only complaint is that it takes 2 people to remove the base. But, you want something heavy attached to a 10K to 20K lb trailer...

My 2 cents is get a 5'er hitch with a Holland Binkley head. They latch well and you can easily see that the hitch is secure/latched.
As an ex Hensley TT hitch user I chose to go the Hensley route again.
I have a Hensley BD3. Which is an air ride hitch with a Holland Binkley head.
My hitch will break down into 2 pieces for easy removal. However I never remove the hitch.
My current truck has factory pucks, my prior 2007 truck had rails. I used the same hitch in both trucks
I think the idea hitch removal is overated, I use my truck for construction work everyday and never remove the hitch. I understand some believe they need a clean bed just to haul a few sheets of plywood.

jdc1 wrote:
Any 15K hitch will work on a regular bed (8') truck. You just have to ask yourself what you want to pay for what others might think of as advertised bells and whistles.

Beat me to it.

Also, no need for an in-bed 7pin. We had one and still wound up using the bumper plug because it was a pain to reach over the bed rails and plug it in.

Lantley, good idea, I didn't think to check Hensley. The air ride is interesting, does it really improve the ride?

Regarding removal, maybe not plywood, but drywall...you pile a few sheets of drywall on top of a hitch and it won't look like much when you get it home. Also, DW is into restoring furniture...she's excited to have a truck vs. the old Suburban because she can bring home bigger stuff now... :R

I'm thinking an engine hoist make hitch removal easy, right?