Fifth wheel hitch questions

[OutdoorPhotogra]

Greetings All,

About to move into the world of fifth wheels. Have never towed or hooked up a 5er so this is new territory. I've researched hitches from old threads and think I want to go with B&W Companion. I'm open to your arguments for something else.

Heart of my question is does it hurt to buy a hitch rated far above your current 5er's weight?

My 5er will be 8,500 lb GVWR and towing with F-250 long bed, 6.2 gas. B&W Companion is way more than I need. Patriot would be find for weight. I'm considering Companion because:

1. I want/need a flat bed with hitch out to carry kayak, etc. Seems Patriot is only a rail system.
2. I would like to transfer the hitch to a another set-up if/when I upgrade 5-10 years down the road.

Can you buy too much hitch?
What is the life expectancy of a hitch?
Can you move it to another TV without issues?

[Cummins12V98]

Durb wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Durb wrote:
I can't understand all the objections to bed rails but then my truck is not a gravel hauler. You can get a Bed Mat by BedRug and cut out openings for your rails. The mat thickness is the same as the bed rail height and when loading stuff it slides right over the bed rails. It is also very easy on the knees. Just an option.

If you used your truck as a truck you would understand!

Interesting comment from someone with a truck box taking up a quarter of his bed. Tell me how easy it is to shovel out a load of 5/8 minus with that box going down to bed level.

Fact is, when I need gravel, bark, rock or topsoil I have it delivered. My truck swallows up a lot of lumber, plywood, landscape stone and occasionally furniture. Neither the BedRug nor rails have ever been an issue. I use my truck plenty.

I have owned two different 98 longbox RAM's and a 14k dump trailer for hauling stuff. My current RAM is a daily driver and RV hauler.

[Durb]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Durb wrote:
I can't understand all the objections to bed rails but then my truck is not a gravel hauler. You can get a Bed Mat by BedRug and cut out openings for your rails. The mat thickness is the same as the bed rail height and when loading stuff it slides right over the bed rails. It is also very easy on the knees. Just an option.

If you used your truck as a truck you would understand!

Interesting comment from someone with a truck box taking up a quarter of his bed. Tell me how easy it is to shovel out a load of 5/8 minus with that box going down to bed level.

Fact is, when I need gravel, bark, rock or topsoil I have it delivered. My truck swallows up a lot of lumber, plywood, landscape stone and occasionally furniture. Neither the BedRug nor rails have ever been an issue. I use my truck plenty.

[texasjayco]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
You will NEVER regret owning anything with the B&W name on it. US Made MOST of the others are NOT as in REESE and CURT.

Simple solid design no silly color codes or flimsy latches.

Could not agree more!!

I had a Reese Pro that I bought through Ford when I bought my truck. What a piece of junk!! Sloppy Sloppy connection, that just got worse each time I used it.

The B&W I have now fits great in the Ford system, and has a very solid connection on the pin. This is one serious hitch!!

I tow with so much confidence now...something I never had with the Reese.

Mark

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Durb wrote:
I can't understand all the objections to bed rails but then my truck is not a gravel hauler. You can get a Bed Mat by BedRug and cut out openings for your rails. The mat thickness is the same as the bed rail height and when loading stuff it slides right over the bed rails. It is also very easy on the knees. Just an option.

If you used your truck as a truck you would understand!

I think he understood perfectly, and explained to the readers a solution, might try reading his reply again.

Had bed rails for years with no issues using the truck as a truck, not sure I understand your comment. What hauling sand ,gravel, rocks , no big deal, so I am at a loss about your comment. :h

[austinjenna]

I used to have a Reese hitch and last year moved up to a trailsaver air ride hitch. I would never tow without an air ride hitch again, its that good.

[Cummins12V98]

Durb wrote:
I can't understand all the objections to bed rails but then my truck is not a gravel hauler. You can get a Bed Mat by BedRug and cut out openings for your rails. The mat thickness is the same as the bed rail height and when loading stuff it slides right over the bed rails. It is also very easy on the knees. Just an option.

If you used your truck as a truck you would understand!

[Durb]

I can't understand all the objections to bed rails but then my truck is not a gravel hauler. You can get a Bed Mat by BedRug and cut out openings for your rails. The mat thickness is the same as the bed rail height and when loading stuff it slides right over the bed rails. It is also very easy on the knees. Just an option.

[dieseltruckdriv]

I have a B&W Companion, and only move it in the spring and in the late fall.
Like you, I was hauling our kayaks on the DWs car, and wanted a better option.

US Racks

It isn't cheap, but I wouldn't change it now that I have it.

[fulltime5er]

Why don't you just pull the pins on the B&W and raise the front jacks on the trailer, leaving the hitch attached? That's what I do. Easy peasy. Then just back under, lower the hitch, and hook it back to the truck.

[jerem0621]

You can get a picture frame adaptor and use a B&W Patriot. But by the time you purchase two pieces you could have just bought the companion.

The Andersen is a good choice for your weight fiver.

Me, I’d probably go with the B&W.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[Cummins12V98]

nu2this2 wrote:
I recently switched to the Andersen ultimate 5th wheel hitch. So smooth when pulling, no clanking very easily installed and removed. It only weighs a bit over 30lbs. I had a Reese slider and had to use a hoist to remove it,because of this it stayed in the bed of my truck all the time! The Andersen can be removed in less than 3-4 minutes. I kid you not!!

If you get one you will not be disappointed .

I towed my last DRV weighing 18K with the OLD style Companion and TurnOverBall in my last RAM Dually. Same latching system as my current Companion. Simple, solid no question if your latched design.

[nu2this2]

I recently switched to the Andersen ultimate 5th wheel hitch. So smooth when pulling, no clanking very easily installed and removed. It only weighs a bit over 30lbs. I had a Reese slider and had to use a hoist to remove it,because of this it stayed in the bed of my truck all the time! The Andersen can be removed in less than 3-4 minutes. I kid you not!!

If you get one you will not be disappointed .

[bigorange]

Timely thread for me...looking at 5th wheel hitches and my truck already has B&W turnover ball gooseneck installed by the previous owner. Companion seems like a no-brainer for reliability and easy install.

[laknox]

Big1 wrote:
I have the B&W with the turnover ball I love it, it seem to be very solid and as far as putting it in my bed I bought a $99.00 discount 1 ton engine lift and it work for me.

I did the same thing. Then, I got a gym rat of a son-in-law... :B Works cheap, just a good IPA and he's fixed up.

Lyle