Fifth wheel hitch question

[CanadianCampers]

I am purchasing a new fifth wheel that has a fully loaded (water & cargo) weight of 13,700 lbs. My current hitch is rated to a maximum of 15,000 lbs. My question is with 1,300 lbs left over can I still use my old hitch or should I upgrade to one with a higher load limit?

[Road_Phantom]

What ever you put in the front of the trailer and into the truck, ads weight to the hitch copacity. Think verticle weight pressing downward.

[Sport45]

Road Phantom wrote:
considering that bedroom closet is directly over the hitch, front storage underneath trailer is more added weight and everything you might put inside the truck bed and passengers riding along with you, you could very well go over your maximum. Get a heavier duty hitch so you won't have that worry.

How do passengers (in the truck, I'm assuming) and stuff you put in the bed effect the hitch loading? The OP should be fine at the indicated weights.

[Road_Phantom]

considering that bedroom closet is directly over the hitch, front storage underneath trailer is more added weight and everything you might put inside the truck bed and passengers riding along with you, you could very well go over your maximum. Get a heavier duty hitch so you won't have that worry.

[Curly2001]

I have the Pro series also with no problems so far. It is just the sliding bar type that is pretty simple.

[Old-Biscuit]

See you 'upgraded' your 2500 to a 3500.

[Racine96]

10 bolts all the way

[MFL]

AFAIK, the difference would be in mounting points (strength). The 4-bolt has just one bolt in each rail end and the 10 bolt has 2 in each end. Both can have another bolt in each rail center, but just holding with bed sheet metal.

I would get the 10 bolt system, if I were choosing.

Jerry

[CanadianCampers]

Thanks for the advice. My current hitch is a Pro Series, sliding pivoting 15k hitch. I think I'll just stick with what I have as it seems it will be able to do the job.

Quick question, is there a benefit between installing either 4-bolt mounting rails or 10-bolt mounting rails? I have to install new ones on my 2015 GMC Sierra 3500HD (diesel).

[MudChucker]

MFL wrote:
Most hitches are capable of handling weight to max rating. I think yours will be fine. You don't say what model, and many 15k hitches are kind of entry level. I'd use it unless you feel like upgrading to a better one.

Jerry

very good point.
worth also noting that I haul 25K worth of equipment at times with my upgraded "15k" hitch, this year as Im preparing to sell that truck I noticed that the holes in the sliders (the parts that are bolted into the bed of the truck) are turning into ovals.

when my 3500HD arrives Im going to be installing a 25K curt

[MudChucker]

keep in mind, the upgrade kit for some hitches is just a liability sticker and some new rubber pucks... as is the case with my old hijacker.

[MFL]

Most hitches are capable of handling weight to max rating. I think yours will be fine. You don't say what model, and many 15k hitches are kind of entry level. I'd use it unless you feel like upgrading to a better one.

Jerry

[Old-Biscuit]

14K 5th and a 15K hitch,,,,,,,,,,,,,good to go

Unless you are just looking for a reason to upgrade

Course you may want to save up and upgrade that 2500 in order to be with truck ratings with a 14K 5vr as you will be OVER

[newman_fulltime]

do yourself a fav get a B&W patriot