Help with hitch decision

[bertschb]

I just ordered a new Grand Design Reflection 318RST 5th wheel (GVWR 13,995) and plan to buy a 2016 GMC 3500 Duramax truck next. The truck has a 6.5' bed.

I've spent a week reading up on hitches on multiple forums and I've narrowed my choice of hitches to the B&W Companion and Trailer Saver BD3 Air-Ride.

My needs:
I want the hitch to be completely removed from the bed when not in use (nothing at all showing).
It has to be something I can lift out myself without a hoist.
It needs to provide a smooth ride that protects the truck and 5th wheel.

Is there a factory under bed hitch mount option I should order with my truck that will make installing the hitch easier or can I get everything I need from the hitch manufacturers? I guess I'll throw in one more question while I'm at it...Can I get the best of both worlds by replacing the pin box on the 5th wheel with a Trail-Air and then getting the B&W Companion which appears to be lighter for removing from the bed?

Kind of overwhelmed with all the options available. Money is no object which helps. Any help would be appreciated!

[hbillsmith]

gwcamp wrote:
Hi all would like to know if a trail air pin box would work with Anderson set up. Thanks GW.

According to Andersen, they have users reporting back favorable results using the Trail Air. One thing to be aware of is the height of your truck bed. In my case, the 2015 GMC is so high that adding the Trail Air would mean my 5er would be an inch or two off level. Lowering the hitch (Andersen or others) isn't a solution because the 5er would be to close to the bed rails.

A solution that does work well in cases like this is the Reese 5th Airborne whose shock and airbag are internal and it does not add the extra height that the Trail Airs do.

[Cummins12V98]

shepstone wrote:
I like the simplicity and strength of the B&W and being able to slide the truck under it just enough to slightly lift the fiver for a positive connection, (thanks to Cummins12v98 for recommending it) but I can see where some would like the light weight of the Anderson

You are VERY welcome!!!

[shepstone]

I like the simplicity and strength of the B&W and being able to slide the truck under it just enough to slightly lift the fiver for a positive connection, (thanks to Cummins12v98 for recommending it) but I can see where some would like the light weight of the Anderson

[crcr]

Me Again wrote:

W5CI wrote:
I jsut got a new 2015 RAM 3500 with the Prep Kit, a clean floor when hitch is removed, I would post a picture but I cant figure out how

Setup a free Photobucket account, upload the pictures to it and then just embed the link it a post. Chris

Or ... go to http://postimage.org/
... free pic hosting and no need to sign up.

[gwcamp]

Hi all would like to know if a trail air pin box would work with Anderson set up. Thanks GW.

[Me_Again]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Me Again wrote:

W5CI wrote:
I jsut got a new 2015 RAM 3500 with the Prep Kit, a clean floor when hitch is removed, I would post a picture but I cant figure out how

Setup a free Photobucket account, upload the pictures to it and then just embed the link it a post. Chris

I use RV.net photo posting. It's very easy and it takes the pics right off your computer.

In fact I use it on every site I post on except for turbodieselregister.com, theirs is the fastest easiest I have seen.

With Photobucket or other similar service you just upload it once! And you still have possession of your photos with the ability to delete them from a single point. Chris

[Cummins12V98]

Me Again wrote:

W5CI wrote:
I jsut got a new 2015 RAM 3500 with the Prep Kit, a clean floor when hitch is removed, I would post a picture but I cant figure out how

Setup a free Photobucket account, upload the pictures to it and then just embed the link it a post. Chris

I use RV.net photo posting. It's very easy and it takes the pics right off your computer.

In fact I use it on every site I post on except for turbodieselregister.com, theirs is the fastest easiest I have seen.

[Cummins12V98]

mtofell1 wrote:
Does anyone have a problem with just releasing a hitch from the truck (while leaving it clamped on the king pin), elevating it with the landing gear, driving the truck out and storing it hanging from the 5th wheel?

This seems to be a pretty easy way to move and store the hitch. Given the design of the 5th wheel and hitch, the static load of a couple hundred pound hitch hanging from the king pin is nothing compared to what occurs while driving. Something tells me there will be many naysayers 🙂

My Dad has done that for many years with no ill effects!

[alboy]

I wish now that i had gone with the Andersen hitch, just too much monkeying around to remove my 350 lb slider with a trans hoist, storing it etc.It would be just simpler to take out and install.

[Me_Again]

W5CI wrote:
I jsut got a new 2015 RAM 3500 with the Prep Kit, a clean floor when hitch is removed, I would post a picture but I cant figure out how

Setup a free Photobucket account, upload the pictures to it and then just embed the link it a post. Chris

[W5CI]

I jsut got a new 2015 RAM 3500 with the Prep Kit, a clean floor when hitch is removed, I would post a picture but I cant figure out how

[Me_Again]

mtofell1 wrote:
Does anyone have a problem with just releasing a hitch from the truck (while leaving it clamped on the king pin), elevating it with the landing gear, driving the truck out and storing it hanging from the 5th wheel?

This seems to be a pretty easy way to move and store the hitch. Given the design of the 5th wheel and hitch, the static load of a couple hundred pound hitch hanging from the king pin is nothing compared to what occurs while driving. Something tells me there will be many naysayers 🙂

Just be sure to padlock the release handle. The issue is reinstalling it. I think you will find that you set it back on the bed and pullout to manually lift it in place to latch it down OR spend a half hour getting the truck to the right position. I say this for actually having done it a couple times. I find with the hoist I can push it around enough for final alignment to drop it in the pucks.

Chris

[Me_Again]

Sport45 wrote:

Me Again wrote:
I remove my B&W RVK3270 manual slider and Demco 6099 picture frame as a single unit from the RAM pucks with just my thumb and a HF hoist! Chris

I'm late to the party, but gotta say I like the way you used that vanity light fixture. I may have to do the same in place of a couple shop lights I have.

That is right over where I set up my 4' x 8' upholstery table. Yeah, I sew! OK, I have come clean. Had a ruff start 60 some years ago as a kid when I ran a needle through a finger with a treadle machine and had to turn it back up myself!

Chris

[bertschb]

I think a lot of people do just that. I agree that it shouldn't harm anything but then again, I'm not a structural engineer.