5th Wheel Hitch Buyer's Guide

Yup that's what the "writer" will get. Inaccurate or false info from people who have "heard it from a friend" or read about it on the web.
Such as the Ram needing a slider. I have a slider in my 2017 Ram and have not needed to use it.

schlep1967 wrote:
As part of your research you will need to look at several different factors. One being the newer trucks with fifth-wheel/kingpin prep/puck system. Another being older and newer trucks without the factory prep as these will affect mounting options.
And then you have the short bed trucks that will mostly need a slider of some type. Especially the Rams with less than 6 foot beds that really should have auto-sliding hitches.

Thats sure a fallacy about the Ram needing a slider, and no the Ram 2500, 3500 are not less than 6 foot ,they are 6-4 . I have towed several years now without needing a slider with my Ram ,early on I had a manual slider that never got used . Now with the Andersen ,a fixed hitch , I definitely don't need a slider .

With the rounded corners of these new fifth wheels, and extended pin boxes , the days of sliders are pretty much gone .

Cummins12V98 wrote:

hondapro wrote:
I have a B&W Companion slider with a short bed F-350 I have never needed the slider yet, I can turn pretty sharp before getting close to the cab. I do slide it back to hitch up, it gives me more room between the tailgate and the front of the fifth wheel.

NICE!

PullRite is a quality product. The owner and B&W's owner are good friends. That is why you have not seen B&W make an auto slide hitch.

PullRite does have hitching issues from an angle. Someone please correct me if that is wrong?

You are not wrong, plus the fact they are a monster to deal with . Big reason my friend ,and many are ditching these dinosaur hitches ,and going Andersen . I'm seeing more ,and more Andersen hitches as time goes on . My son has in recent months bought a new 2022 Ford 350, and fifth wheel ,he too went with Andersen , he's into a few thousand miles now ,and it's been flawless , as many other Andersen owners are finding out . I found out several years ago now ,and wouldn't have anyother hitch, been thru those heavy noisy hitches , no more .

proscriptus wrote:
Hi everyone,

I'm an automotive writer with a major (ish) site, and I'm putting together a 5th Wheel Hitch Buyer's Guide. I've been doing a lot of reading, watched videos, and talked to a couple of acquaintances who tow, but that's a small sample size and it's easy to miss important information when you don't have first-hand experience—I've done lots of bumper towing, but never with a 5th wheel.

I'd love some input from knowledgeable people about what to look for when buying a 5th wheel hitch, what to avoid, and any personal experiences with specific brands or models. I'm happy to provide my email in a PM if anyone wants to talk off the record.

Thanks,
Dave

Hmm...it really makes sense for someone to put together a guide about something they know nothing about, right?
A bunch of second hand anecdotal information.
I guess you could also just copy and paste a bunch of google articles and have the same thing.

hondapro wrote:
I have a B&W Companion slider with a short bed F-350 I have never needed the slider yet, I can turn pretty sharp before getting close to the cab. I do slide it back to hitch up, it gives me more room between the tailgate and the front of the fifth wheel.

NICE!

PullRite is a quality product. The owner and B&W's owner are good friends. That is why you have not seen B&W make an auto slide hitch.

PullRite does have hitching issues from an angle. Someone please correct me if that is wrong?

Thank you, this is all useful. Rather than recommending specific models of hitch, I'll work on more generic information about different lines of hitches (here's what makes a Demco Autoslide different from a PullRite SuperGlide).

I've got quite a bit on subjects like factory pucks vs. aftermarket, bed lengths, etc.

As part of your research you will need to look at several different factors. One being the newer trucks with fifth-wheel/kingpin prep/puck system. Another being older and newer trucks without the factory prep as these will affect mounting options.
And then you have the short bed trucks that will mostly need a slider of some type. Especially the Rams with less than 6 foot beds that really should have auto-sliding hitches.

JIMNLIN wrote:

Personally I avoid any publication claiming this brand is the best for all trailers. Way to many variables to make that claim.

I assume it's "best" because they donated the most to the publication.

As indicated, any brand that had lots of failures would quickly be out of business.

They are all pretty simple and reliable if used properly.

If there is one thing to include is to visually check the latch and do a brake test every time:
- Once hitched, lift the landing gear barely clear of the ground. Using the manual control, apply the trailer brakes and try to pull forward.

Only takes a few seconds but if you high hitch or forget to properly latch things, much better to find out in a low speed controlled situation. Also, it confirms that the trailer brakes are working (we still do it with bumper pull for this exact reason).

Best advice you can get. You will find very few instances of failures of any brand or they wouldn't be in business. I've had several brands of standard hitches including Reese, B&W and Trailer Saver. They were all good. Hitches like the Trailer Saver have an air ride system that kind of puts them in a different category. I now have a Reese Goose Box which is a different animal as the hitch replaces the pin box on the fifth wheel and all that is needed is a goose neck ball in the truck bed and a couple of hook up points for the safety chains. The Goose Box also has an air ride feature. It's application is limited to the type of frame box used on the fifth wheel so it is not universal like a standard hitch.

I'd love some input from knowledgeable people about what to look for when buying a 5th wheel hitch, what to avoid, and any personal experiences with specific brands or models. I'm happy to provide my email in a PM if anyone wants to talk off the record.

Thanks,
Dave

Your asking a chevy vs Ford vs Ram type question so all you will get is my brand is best and some even bash other brands they have no experience with. Also Brand bragging and brand bashing will change depending on which rv websites your using.

I've towed for a living and found with light duty 5th wheel rv type hitches there is no best brand or especially any brand to avoid.

Some hitch brands have models that are better suited for 20k lb + heavy weight trailers and in between.

Other brands have models better suited for lighter weight trailers.

JMO I've been towing trailer since the early '60s and discovered their are no best brand truck....rv trailer....hitch....tires.

Personally I avoid any publication claiming this brand is the best for all trailers. Way to many variables to make that claim.