5th Wheel Hitches

[prairierattler]

I'm a newbie to this site. I am considering the purchase of a 2013 Crossroads Cruiser 5th wheel. I currently have a Travel Trailer. Would appreciate any thoughts anyone has on best types of hitches. I have a 1 ton Chevy Duramax long bed. Also thoughts on the Crossroad Cruiser 5th wheels. Trailer will have GVWR of 12K lbs.

[Tango__AE7UI]

I'll second the choice for the B&W.
I don't want any other hitch.

[Cummins12V98]

For those thinking about a replacement of new 5er hitch realize the B&W only sells a very small amount of hitches compared to Reese, Valley, Husky and so on but it really tells the story of how many people say buy a B&W because they are so happy with theirs.

Had a RBW I thought was good until I bought a B&W, looking back the RBW was a noisy clunky hitch.

[Cummins12V98]

Thats_Ok wrote:
Husky 16K S here...
Went low cost because the place I bought from said no need to spend more.

The slide bar types can be a bear to release when TV and trailer aren't on level ground.
I might want to swap heads out if un-hitching continues to be difficult for me.

Hope you find the one!
Regards,
jim

Amazing, you have a dually and they not only sold you a hitch that is hard to use at times but they also sold you a 16K model. Bummer!

[Hamops]

Although I might have missed it in one of the replies, I suggest that you stay away from a Universal mounting kit for the hitch. Regardless of the brand of hitch that you choose, buy the matching purpose made frame mounting bracket for the hitch.

[ependydad]

Another B&W Companion vote.

[57_Panhead]

We have the B&W Companion and am extremely happy with its performance.

Steve

[Roads_Less_Trav]

We've been very happy with our Pull-Rite Super 5th

[Traveler_II]

Another vote for the TrailerSaver, we’ve had ours for about 2 years now and it’s a great hitch. In fact we are in the market for a new truck and the main thing I want is a truck that I can still use my TrailerSaver in, basically a long box.

They do make an attachment that I can add on to the TrailerSaver to make it a slider, but it’s manual and I’ll not sure I want to go that way.

[hone_eagle]

retispcsi wrote:
First question is how much money do have to spend. The air hitches are nice and worth the money but they are expensive. As far as the other hitches my vote is for B & W. American made in Kansas, great company with great support.

Very expensive and even worse heavy,a lot of TV's here are run on a knife edge - re weights, and a elaborate hitch just the last straw.

but so very s m o o t h 😉

[retispcsi]

First question is how much money do have to spend. The air hitches are nice and worth the money but they are expensive. As far as the other hitches my vote is for B & W. American made in Kansas, great company with great support.

[azdryheat]

Hitches? They will all do the job. Any 16k hitch will work for you but don't get a slider hitch as you won't be needing one with your long bed. Also, with your 1T Duramax you can get a whole lot more trailer than what you're looking at.

[Norskeman]

I have used a Husky 16K hitch since 2003. When I purchased my 2011 Chevy I installed the Reese Custom Base and Rail Kit - only drilling required is in the bed of the truck.

http://www.etrailer.com/Fifth-Wheel/Chevrolet/Silverado/2011/RP50066-58.html?vehicleid=2011303929

Buy the RV locally if you can - less distance to travel for warranty work. Find the layout that you like and hope for the best on the Manufacturer quality control.


CrossRoads is owned by Thor as well as allot of other RVs.
http://www.thorindustries.com/corp/recreational-vehicles

I have a CrossRoads fifth wheel - the first year it spent about 4 1/2 months at the RV dealer for warranty work. The bed slide required a major modification - wrong design of the bed slide support with the SCHWINTEK IN-WALL SLIDE System and improper sealing when built. The dealer took forever to perform the modification and they messed it up so it spent another month at the dealer. Bed slide is working good now and no leaks.

As far as CrossRoad trailers - look at the postings on:
http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/default.asp

What year is your Truck?
We used a CAT scale to weigh the truck/trailer this spring:
Steer Axle - 4900 lbs
Drive Axle - 6060 lbs
Trailer Axle - 9220 lbs
Gross Weight - 20,180 lbs

Our 2011 has a GVWR of 11,600 lbs. Axle ratings - 5600 lbs front and 7050 lbs rear. Truck weight is about 7900 lbs - local transfer station scale

Our CF335SS has axles rated at 5200 lbs each.
Weight leaving the factory was 10,014 lbs "dry".

[hone_eagle]

cwill925 wrote:

spindrift wrote:

cwill925 wrote:
If I ever pull with a pick-up truck again, a Trailer Saver will be in the bed. Trailer Saver

Not to derail but how is this different from the TriGlide Trail air setup?

You get basically the same response from either the Trailer Saver or the Trailair Tri-Glide Air Ride. Both will soften the shock to the trailer. It’s simply a matter of personal preference. With the air hitch on the truck, it can be used on multiple 5th wheel trailers and even gooseneck connections with a simple head swap. The Trailair Tri-Glide Air Ride is captive to the trailer it’s mounted on. Either way, air hitch or air pin box, you get a greatly improved ride in the truck and less shock to the trailer.

Actually you get a order of magnatude more range of motion with the air ride hitch over a air ride pin box,plus bigger the bags are the less air pressure you need and again more of a pillow ride.
Remember at about 90 psi air bags are basicly solid rubber.

[deleted-2]

Husky 16K S here...
Went low cost because the place I bought from said no need to spend more.

The slide bar types can be a bear to release when TV and trailer aren't on level ground.
I might want to swap heads out if un-hitching continues to be difficult for me.

Hope you find the one!
Regards,
jim