Decisions, Decisions...5th wheel hitch

[krusegroup]

We are moving up to a 5th wheel after owning 3 travel trailers over the last 14 years or so. The Jayco Eagle HT 28.5BHXB is ordered. I'll be towing with a 2014 Ram CC 4x4 with the 6.7 Cummins. My truck has the 6.4 ft bed. I'll be installing a B&W turnover hitch, which gives the option of using their products, the Andersen Ultimate, and others. I know I'll have plenty of truck for this unit, and it just fit what we were looking for. I've read several posts regarding the need for a slider with the short bed, others who say they had tailgate interference with a slider, and others who say you won't need a slider! Just looking for anyone with real world experience with a truck like mine, and a similar rig. Also wanted to say what a blessing it has been to enjoy RVing with my wife and daughter over the years. Here''s to many more!

[Njmurvin]

There are so many things that can go wrong when towing, backing, turning, finessing into campsites or storage, etc., I decided to take trailer vs truck cab off the list. One happy SuperGlide owner here!

[krusegroup]

What 5ver were you pulling/backing? What was the circumstance? I realize I'm asking you to recount something painful/expensive/possibly embarrassing, but I'm trying to learn about this 5th wheel stuff! Thanks.

[Cummins12V98]

"dfb wrote:

Love our Andersen.. Pull rite superglide is great. However, it is so damned heavy!. I have the Ram with the prep. So the Andersen has a box frame that also goes forward of the axle, it has the center over the axle.. We used it yesterday... LOVE IT,!.my opinion on the original op is the nose is too high...

dfb wrote:

Update!! Anderson hitch... Truck hit fifth wheel while backing. Blowing out rear window and denting cab.... Just installed the Pullrite superglide...."

As I said before sorry for the damage but for your truck type you made the right choice with the PullRite auto slide.

I understand there are personal reasons for having a SB truck but those in the market REALLY should stick with the "Standard/Long" bed truck. Lots of good reasons with the LB and a lot of negative with the SB IMHO.

[dfb]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

dfb wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Just physically LOOK at the B&W hitches then LOOK at the Andersen. Forget the "RATINGS" what hitch is going to hold up to a violent situation.

Can't lock RV to the Andersen. The Andersen that sits in the bed of the truck WILL deflect the bed if towing heavy. I personally would not use the Andersen for anything over the 12K range. There also have been reports of kingpin plate damage because of the small footprint the Andersen adapter places on it.

As far as ratings go how many believe Craftsman when they say their ShopVac "develops" 6HP?

B&W is VERY Conservative with their ratings, just ask them.

Deflect the bed? It is ball connected to the frame.. My Montana is at 14500... No problems!.At least not yet. I am too intrigued by this design. After using it for 250 miles. I really like it! I really do.. Have been towing since 1992.. The VERY WORST 5TH WHEEL HITCH WAS RBW,! Lots of crushed bed rails! The pill rite superglide is really a GREAT hitch.. I had one..

Ok if you are so confident lets mount a GoPro in your bed. I will bet $1,000 that the bed is deflecting when the brakes are hit hard.

I know it WILL deflect because the base is sitting on the corrugation like the old B&W 18K Companion did.

While backing up the trailer hit the cab, blew the window !. Truck only has 2400 miles! I just put a superglide hitch in.. Reese frame kit...truck not fixed as of yet...so bummed!

[Cummins12V98]

dfb wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Just physically LOOK at the B&W hitches then LOOK at the Andersen. Forget the "RATINGS" what hitch is going to hold up to a violent situation.

Can't lock RV to the Andersen. The Andersen that sits in the bed of the truck WILL deflect the bed if towing heavy. I personally would not use the Andersen for anything over the 12K range. There also have been reports of kingpin plate damage because of the small footprint the Andersen adapter places on it.

As far as ratings go how many believe Craftsman when they say their ShopVac "develops" 6HP?

B&W is VERY Conservative with their ratings, just ask them.

Deflect the bed? It is ball connected to the frame.. My Montana is at 14500... No problems!.At least not yet. I am too intrigued by this design. After using it for 250 miles. I really like it! I really do.. Have been towing since 1992.. The VERY WORST 5TH WHEEL HITCH WAS RBW,! Lots of crushed bed rails! The pill rite superglide is really a GREAT hitch.. I had one..

Ok if you are so confident lets mount a GoPro in your bed. I will bet $1,000 that the bed is deflecting when the brakes are hit hard.

I know it WILL deflect because the base is sitting on the corrugation like the old B&W 18K Companion did.

[Cummins12V98]

IdaD wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

IdaD wrote:
I'd put an Andersen up against any hitch on the market in terms of build quality. It's a very stout and very well constructed piece of steel, and it tows rock solid. It's ideal for rough terrain because it has a good range of motion and can be easily hitched on uneven ground.

I don't understand why some need to constantly put it down and say it's weak based on how it looks (give me a break). If you don't want to use it fine, but there's no reason to bash a good product.

I assume you are referring to me and that's fine. The OP is trying to make a decision, I gave my OPINION and listed some of the negatives. Why do so many get so defensive?

I have said MANY times that the Anderson is a quality hitch but "I" think it's way over rated.

I'm not defensive. I just think there's no reason to bash a quality competitor to promote the product you prefer. Based on my experience I think the Andersen is a great choice and I prefer it to B&W. But I don't feel compelled to bash it just because I prefer the Andersen.

It's a pet peeve of mine. It's like when a salesman spends his time knocking competitors instead of promoting what he's trying to sell me. I generally assume he's bashing the other guy cause he doesn't have much good to say about what he's selling.

Sour to upset you. OP is trying to figure what hitch to buy.

[dfb]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Just physically LOOK at the B&W hitches then LOOK at the Andersen. Forget the "RATINGS" what hitch is going to hold up to a violent situation.

Can't lock RV to the Andersen. The Andersen that sits in the bed of the truck WILL deflect the bed if towing heavy. I personally would not use the Andersen for anything over the 12K range. There also have been reports of kingpin plate damage because of the small footprint the Andersen adapter places on it.

As far as ratings go how many believe Craftsman when they say their ShopVac "develops" 6HP?

B&W is VERY Conservative with their ratings, just ask them.

Deflect the bed? It is ball connected to the frame.. My Montana is at 14500... No problems!.At least not yet. I am too intrigued by this design. After using it for 250 miles. I really like it! I really do.. Have been towing since 1992.. The VERY WORST 5TH WHEEL HITCH WAS RBW,! Lots of crushed bed rails! The pill rite superglide is really a GREAT hitch.. I had one..

[dfb]

krusegroup wrote:
Lyle, I certainly haven't eliminated the B&W Companion/Companion Slider. I am however intrigued by the number of folks running the Andersen with good results. I know there are a lot of detractors, but it would seem way too many are getting a desirable result to simply write it off. Thanks, CK

I had a superglide on my last db.. Excellent heavy hitch.. I now have an andersonson ultimate aluminum . It is great! Super lite at only 32 lbs!. It unhitched without issues like a hitch handle that won't budge due to tension. At over half the cost of the superglide, much lighter, I'm sold.... Just used it today! 3 height adjustments without tools!!!

[IdaD]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

IdaD wrote:
I'd put an Andersen up against any hitch on the market in terms of build quality. It's a very stout and very well constructed piece of steel, and it tows rock solid. It's ideal for rough terrain because it has a good range of motion and can be easily hitched on uneven ground.

I don't understand why some need to constantly put it down and say it's weak based on how it looks (give me a break). If you don't want to use it fine, but there's no reason to bash a good product.

I assume you are referring to me and that's fine. The OP is trying to make a decision, I gave my OPINION and listed some of the negatives. Why do so many get so defensive?

I have said MANY times that the Anderson is a quality hitch but "I" think it's way over rated.

I'm not defensive. I just think there's no reason to bash a quality competitor to promote the product you prefer. Based on my experience I think the Andersen is a great choice and I prefer it to B&W. But I don't feel compelled to bash it just because I prefer the Andersen.

It's a pet peeve of mine. It's like when a salesman spends his time knocking competitors instead of promoting what he's trying to sell me. I generally assume he's bashing the other guy cause he doesn't have much good to say about what he's selling.

[Cummins12V98]

IdaD wrote:
I'd put an Andersen up against any hitch on the market in terms of build quality. It's a very stout and very well constructed piece of steel, and it tows rock solid. It's ideal for rough terrain because it has a good range of motion and can be easily hitched on uneven ground.

I don't understand why some need to constantly put it down and say it's weak based on how it looks (give me a break). If you don't want to use it fine, but there's no reason to bash a good product.

I assume you are referring to me and that's fine. The OP is trying to make a decision, I gave my OPINION and listed some of the negatives. Why do so many get so defensive?

I have said MANY times that the Anderson is a quality hitch but "I" think it's way over rated.

[mach8274]

krusegroup wrote:

mach8274 wrote:
Another very happy Companion slider owner here as well. Can't say enough about this hitch. The Andersen has always intrigued me though.

Any issues with tailgate interference when slid back? Thanks sir!

No interference but it is close. I will probaly do what another said about making a chain to hold the tailgate open about 5 or 6 inches. I would hate to have the trailer move down an incline or something and have it contact the tailgate.

[krusegroup]

mach8274 wrote:
Another very happy Companion slider owner here as well. Can't say enough about this hitch. The Andersen has always intrigued me though.

Any issues with tailgate interference when slid back? Thanks sir!

[krusegroup]

The unit we will be towing has a GVWR of 11,000 # (told you I had plenty of truck for what we want to do! )I don't believe anyone here can accurately say how either hitch would react in a crash. Too many variables. I'm looking for real world experience with the various pieces and how they relate to the particular truck I have. It was never my intention to fire off this debate all over again. I haven't been on the forums for a long time, but have lurked and seen the maelstrom that arises every time the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection is brought up. Pretty certain the sky will not fall, whichever way we go! Thanks again for weighing in.

[mach8274]

Another very happy Companion slider owner here as well. Can't say enough about this hitch. The Andersen has always intrigued me though.