5th wheel hitch advice!!

[robby1824]

Just bought our jayco 35.5 rets fifth wheel.....also purchased a ford F-250 SD 6.7 turbo diesel with the short bed....now we need the connection!! We bought trailer from camping world and they obviously have what they have....I have the tow package on the truck, MINUS the mounting bracket option....so I think I need
A. mounting rails
B. Sliding 16K+ hitch

Question is: Above or below rail mounting? I have seen that the manual slider is fine, and actually preferable...Is it smart to purchase all from camping world and let them install, or by on my own and have them install??....I paid extra for the fancier pivot pin on the trailer if that makes any difference. Pulling a trailer for years, new to 5th'ers!!

[Daddy_Bear]

Really like my Hijacker. Yes its a manual slider (if I ever need it). But so far, after 7 years with this truck, have never had to use it. Much more reasonable in price than one of the auto sliders that you don't really need. Just MHO.

[Jim-n-Henri]

I have the same truck...gotta have the 16K Pull rite slider...also pull 4 pins and the bed is clear..quiet, no chucking and auto slide has saved me several times.

[Jim-n-Henri]

I have the same truck...gotta have the 16K Pull rite slider...also pull 4 pins and the bed is clear..quiet, no chucking and auto slide has saved me several times.

[laknox]

NHIrish wrote:

Peg Leg wrote:
The B&W Companion gets my vote. I did the install, only hole to drill was in bed for drop pin. I used a cheap hole saw with a oiled sponge inside. Had to make a notch under the bed where a heavy cross support went. My Companion and turnover ball was just over a grand total including shipping. All the bolts through my boxed frame had metal holder that you could insert the bolt through another hole and hold it while starting the nuts. With the teflon lube plate it still looks great after 2 yrs.

This was my approach too. B& W makes a great product and has great support. No drill installation with the exception of that one big hole. Measure twice! If you do it yourself you know it is done right.

IF you do it yourself, use a come-along and some type of homemade tripod (I used a stepladder and iron bar) to hold the unit in place and tighten it up against the bed before you tighten the bolts...this will make sense once you read the instructions. There are also you tube videos...

I wouldn't let camping world install a light bulb for me.

HAH! That was my biggest fear about the DIY install of my Turnover Ball; drilling that 4" hole! When I helped my brother install his, I made =him= measure and drill his own hole. 🙂

Lyle

[laknox]

newman fulltimer wrote:
If you have the Reese revotution pin box you do not need a slider hitch.in my opinion the best hitches are the b&whitches

X-whatever on B&W. Love my Companion (and Turnover Ball) and the company is every bit as good as their products.

Lyle

[larry_barnhart]

CardinalCamper wrote:
Traveler II is right on.No hitch out on the market compares to a air hitch.I have a Airsafe 25k since 2008 very happy with it,good quality great ride.

The Hensley Trailersaver BD3 is a very good quality air hitch and Cost less than the Trailersaver and Airsafe.

Do some research on both before buying a rigid hitch.

Same for us because our airhitch has been great since 2001.

chevman

[NHIrish]

Peg Leg wrote:
The B&W Companion gets my vote. I did the install, only hole to drill was in bed for drop pin. I used a cheap hole saw with a oiled sponge inside. Had to make a notch under the bed where a heavy cross support went. My Companion and turnover ball was just over a grand total including shipping. All the bolts through my boxed frame had metal holder that you could insert the bolt through another hole and hold it while starting the nuts. With the teflon lube plate it still looks great after 2 yrs.

This was my approach too. B& W makes a great product and has great support. No drill installation with the exception of that one big hole. Measure twice! If you do it yourself you know it is done right.

IF you do it yourself, use a come-along and some type of homemade tripod (I used a stepladder and iron bar) to hold the unit in place and tighten it up against the bed before you tighten the bolts...this will make sense once you read the instructions. There are also you tube videos...

I wouldn't let camping world install a light bulb for me.

[C_B_]

Rjdreyer wrote:
I have a 16k pullrite superglide with super rails. I too have the SD short bed. So glad I spent the extra for the pullrite. Just hook up and go. Don't have to worry about anything unless I get to about 90 degrees coming or going. Camping World installed my hitch and rails.

X2

C.B.

[CardinalCamper]

Traveler II is right on.No hitch out on the market compares to a air hitch.I have a Airsafe 25k since 2008 very happy with it,good quality great ride.

The Hensley Trailersaver BD3 is a very good quality air hitch and Cost less than the Trailersaver and Airsafe.

Do some research on both before buying a rigid hitch.

[B_O__Plenty]

You can do a lot better than CW price wise. Shop the internet and save as much as $1,000.00 on your hitch.

B.O.

[JW_of_Opechee_S]

No matter which hitch you think you will get; I would shop around at other dealers or hitch specialty shops. The price at the big boys is not always the best price.

[ocbms]

Robby, you did not mention what year your pickup was I'm guessing newer than mine which was one of the first 2011 models. Mine had the tow package that included the 5th wheel prep package. My pickup has the 8 foot bed and the 5th wheel prep package may not be available in the short bed. But if you should have that option you will have 5 holes ( rubber plugs) with in the bed center forming a X. The 5th wheel uses the 4 outside tips of the X, Gooseneck hitch uses the center hole and the forward 2 holes for chain attachment. Reese Hitch is the supplier for Ford.
The nice thing about this arrangement, all the frame is below the bed so if you should remove the hitch you have the flat surface of the bed.
Happy Trails

[Traveler_II]

If you plan to put some miles on your new trailer you might want to consider one of the air hitches that are available. Our road system can do a lot of damage and the air hitch will help save wear and tear, the only problem is they are pricey.

[robby1824]

The pin box is the mor/ryde flex pin box.