5th wheel hitch question

laknox wrote:

dave17352 wrote:
I have both and now use the b@w with the companion hitch. When u remove the companion hitch the bed is empty no rails and truck camper installs just as it does with no hitch. The companion hitch is a great hitch and it comes apart in two pieces so it is possible to remove by yourself. But I prefer a second person to help but my back isn't what it use to be. I and the wife can remove it easily.

x2 on the B&W Turnover Ball & Companion. I use both the gooseneck and fifth wheel hitches, which is why I went with it. Love the clean bed when needed and a great company to deal with if you have questions or problems.

Lyle

X 3 on Companion...B W Turnover.Leaves bed completly avail....and a First Rate Hitch.MADE in U.S.A., with U.S.A, Metal, and workers.........

john&bet wrote:
I have rails in my bed also with a 16k Reese hitch and I can remove the hole thing myself including carrying it into my shed to set it on some wood blocks. One of my uncles had the same setup and a slide in camper so he just put down some 3/4 inch plywood to make floor level and loaded his slide in. Oh, and I am no spring chicken anymore.

The cheapest answer, and the easiest.

I have rails in my bed also with a 16k Reese hitch and I can remove the hole thing myself including carrying it into my shed to set it on some wood blocks. One of my uncles had the same setup and a slide in camper so he just put down some 3/4 inch plywood to make floor level and loaded his slide in. Oh, and I am no spring chicken anymore.

go to etrailer.com

They have some vids on how to install the fifth wheel mounts for your truck.

X2 from BB_TX, I've a Reese Signature Series, 24k hitch. Can move by myself, but it's a chore. There's also a faction on this board who release the hitch from the bed and raise the fiver up. (Thus lifting the hitch from the bed). I don't, but I would assume if the fiver can withstand all that stress from towing, a 120# hitch hanging from it shouldn't be a problem.

dave17352 wrote:
I have both and now use the b@w with the companion hitch. When u remove the companion hitch the bed is empty no rails and truck camper installs just as it does with no hitch. The companion hitch is a great hitch and it comes apart in two pieces so it is possible to remove by yourself. But I prefer a second person to help but my back isn't what it use to be. I and the wife can remove it easily.

x2 on the B&W Turnover Ball & Companion. I use both the gooseneck and fifth wheel hitches, which is why I went with it. Love the clean bed when needed and a great company to deal with if you have questions or problems.

Lyle

There are several hitch manufacturers now offering under bed mounts so that when you remove the hitch the bed is left flat, no rails in the bed. My Reese Elite hitch is like that.
And yes, one person can remove it. On mine I pull to pins to release the top section and lift it off. Then rotate four handles to release the pins thru the bed and lift out the bottom section. The bottom section is fairly heavy but manageable, although I usually get the DW to lend a hand with it.
Plastic pucks insert into the bed holes to close/cover them.

I have both and now use the b@w with the companion hitch. When u remove the companion hitch the bed is empty no rails and truck camper installs just as it does with no hitch. The companion hitch is a great hitch and it comes apart in two pieces so it is possible to remove by yourself. But I prefer a second person to help but my back isn't what it use to be. I and the wife can remove it easily.

I'm not an expert on any other hitches other than the one I own. Mine was installed by the RV shop in my town 10 years ago. The hitch has two rails that run crosswise in the bed and they are permanent, although I suppose you could remove them. I've never done it and I'm just not sure it's something you'd want to do often. The rails stick up about 2 inches.

My hitch fits into the rails in 4 places and I then slide 4 pins through eyes and there's a cotter pin to hold the pins in place. I remove the hitch after camping season, but need help in doing so. I can actually get the hitch to the tailgate, but need help moving it over to a wheelbarrow. It's very helpful to have two people move it. I've also taken it out and replaced it when I needed the bed for moving furniture to help the kids move.

Some use rails in the bed, some attach to a Goose Neck ball that can disappear under the bed, some have under bed mounts.
It you can remove or install depends your physical condition. I am about 200# 6'-0" and early 60's I have no issue with my Reese 16K twin jaw. Mine breaks into two parts no issue at all for me.