Correct hitch to trailer ratings?

[hdrolling]

Hello all, I'm very new to fifth wheel campers and just bought a used 2015 37' 8" Raptor toy hauler. The setup came from an older gentleman who is getting out of campers and getting a permanent park model for his winter place.

My concern is that the deal includes his fifth wheel bed hitch that is a 16,000 rating.

The weight of the camper dry is 13,421, and it has a max carrying capacity of 3,079. That's over 16,000 right there!

Before I bother installing this hitch should I just sell it and go for a 18k or bigger? The camper is being delivered to my camping area but someday I will need to safely be able to tow it with Family in our truck and Harley's in the garage as well as the rest of our stuff.

I don't expect we will ever tow it loaded with water or the fuel stations full but our bikes are pretty heavy so I might reach the max load very easily.

I normally tow with just the goose-neck but don't want to convert my fifth wheel to a goose neck, looking for advice before they start drilling holes all in my truck bed.

Thanks

[laknox]

hdrolling wrote:
Well thanks for the help and links, ordered the Andersen 3220 ALUMINUM Ultimate Connection Gooseneck Mount and Andersen 3230 Ultimate Safety Chains. We don't need the safety chains here in NC but I don't want to have to worry about it when summer gets here and were ready to travel.

You'll need the chains in other states, though, so good call.

Lyle

[hdrolling]

Well thanks for the help and links, ordered the Andersen 3220 ALUMINUM Ultimate Connection Gooseneck Mount and Andersen 3230 Ultimate Safety Chains. We don't need the safety chains here in NC but I don't want to have to worry about it when summer gets here and were ready to travel.

[hdrolling]

Water-Bug wrote:
I see from your profile that you have a 3500 DRW. Buy a hitch a hitch to match the TV, then you can upgrade the 5er or tow whatever your TV can handle. Hitches should match TV not the load.

That's a great point, and I have been waiting to see what trailer I was going to get before I picked up a hitch. Never thought of going with a hitch that was at the trucks max ratings?

Seeing that this trailer comes with a 16k Husky hitch I'll just CL it and see what I can get for it.

I've been reading the dilemma about the Andersen hitch, Not really seeing any first hand bad experience from anyone that has owned or used one. I'm 100% P/T VA disabled so that 35 lb aluminum 24k hitch is really looking good to me. Like mentioned I already have the gooseneck ball in the bed as well as a 7 pin outlet in the bed, the Andersen set up seems simple and will be pretty much the same as when I tow a standard gooseneck trailer I would think?

[Water-Bug]

I see from your profile that you have a 3500 DRW. Buy a hitch a hitch to match the TV, then you can upgrade the 5er or tow whatever your TV can handle. Hitches should match TV not the load.

[phillyg]

Yep, if you're reasonably sure you'll be over 16k lbs., then yes, you should go up one size.

[laknox]

hdrolling wrote:
I'm not sure what brand the gooseneck is as it was on the truck when I bought it, but I'm sure it's not a B&W. After you drop the ball into the bed you have to get under the truck to put a bolt through it. I'll look into the Andersen hitch.
Thanks for confirming my dilemma.

B&W should have a spring-loaded rod that extends into the driver's side wheel well that captures the shaft on the GN ball. It would also have grey plates around the truck frame where it attaches.

Lyle

[hdrolling]

I'm not sure what brand the gooseneck is as it was on the truck when I bought it, but I'm sure it's not a B&W. After you drop the ball into the bed you have to get under the truck to put a bolt through it. I'll look into the Andersen hitch.
Thanks for confirming my dilemma.

[laknox]

RustyJC wrote:
Yes, by all means the hitch rating needs to be at least equal to (preferably greater than) the 5th wheel's GVWR. Forget the dry weights - do all your sizing based on GVWRs and you'll generally stay on the safe sides of the ratings.

If you already have a gooseneck hitch in the truck (you don't mention the brand of gooseneck hitch), check out the B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch that works in conjunction with B&W's Turnoverball gooseneck hitch, or check out the Andersen hitch that's being discussed on many threads in this section that will work with many gooseneck hitches. You made an excellent decision not to use a gooseneck adapter on your new to you 5th wheel!

Rusty

I'll second Rusty on the Companion. Love mine! The newer one has the capacity you'd need.

Lyle

[RustyJC]

Yes, by all means the hitch rating needs to be at least equal to (preferably greater than) the 5th wheel's GVWR. Forget the dry weights - do all your sizing based on GVWRs and you'll generally stay on the safe sides of the ratings.

If you already have a gooseneck hitch in the truck (you don't mention the brand of gooseneck hitch), check out the B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch that works in conjunction with B&W's Turnoverball gooseneck hitch, or check out the Andersen hitch that's being discussed on many threads in this section that will work with many gooseneck hitches. You made an excellent decision not to use a gooseneck adapter on your new to you 5th wheel!

Rusty