How much should I expect to pay for a 5th wheel hitch?

[Blanco1]

I've never had a 5th wheel trailer but see myself getting one next year, so I'm wondering what brand or options should I get for a personal 5th wheel for traveling across the country on camping trips?

I think I've seen them with air bags built in?
Is that good or a weak point?

I have a '97 long bed 4x4 cummins diesel 5 speed dually truck.

& does it alway get mounted directly centered above the rear axle?

Are some much easier to remove?
I've seen stakebed trucks with retractable 5th wheels in the bed, can that be done in a pick up truck?

[oakmandan]

I have the B&W Patriot 18K. Great hitch. Made in Kansas.

[desiphil]

Prices are going to be all over the map. I spent ~$1700 to have a B&W gooseneck installed w/Companion non-slider. Sliding version will run $2200 I'm guessing. Great quality hitch that is fully removable for a clean bed.

[Blanco1]

There's a part of me thinking maybe get the biggest hitch my truck should be rated to handle, in case later I want to go bigger?

[Blanco1]

Cummins12V98 wrote:


I'm betting it's MADE in USA!

Where else are they made?

I do prefer to buy American when ever possible.

Is there much of a difference in price?

[Cummins12V98]

"My 5th wheel trailer weighs 11200-11400 lb range and use a 16k Reese since '97"

I'm betting it's MADE in USA!

[JIMNLIN]

Trailers the length you mention can vary greatly in gross weight so take a good look at the trailers gvwr and dry weigh.
The older 3500 DRW Dodge didn't have big RAWR numbers like now days however I've found they didn't sag much even with my heavier GN trailers with 5800-6200 lb hitch loads.

[rhagfo]

judelaurenzo25g wrote:
I paid $450-500 to install my rails including the brackets and wiring. I paid $100 for a slightly used Husky 16K slider on craigslist. Works just as good as a new one. $650 total, called it a day.

I paid $200 for a used Reese 16K twin jaw with rails and attaching hardware. I did the install myself, then moved over to my 2001 Ram later.

[judelaurenzo25g]

I paid $450-500 to install my rails including the brackets and wiring. I paid $100 for a slightly used Husky 16K slider on craigslist. Works just as good as a new one. $650 total, called it a day.

[Blanco1]

C Schomer wrote:
All the bed rails I've seen mount sideways. I think someone mentioned a 4way pivot hitch and they also pivot side to side. I started with a 14k single pivot hitch and soon had to switch to a 4way 15k cuz the single pivot bound up on really uneven ground and I couldn't get unhitched.
I've built 3 rv beds and about to build another and I put the hitch 3" ahead of the axle. When I started rving in the early 90s dealers included a single pivot hitch, installed, as part of a new 5er deal but I doubt if they do that anymore.
I bought my 32' 15k gvw 5er used from a friend and he already put on a 5th Airborn pin box on the 5er and it help a lot. None of my previous 5er weighed over 10k and no special hitch was needed for them.
I think your dually is still rated 12500 towing if you have the 4.10 but your payload goes up higher than my 3/4T did, so around 30-32', depending on how heavy it's built, will probably be your limit for the gvw.
Keep in mind, passengers and cargo in the truck are included in the towing capacity of the truck so estimate that weight and add it to the gvw of the 5er you pick, to avoid going over the trucks towing capacity. Craig

Thanks for your good points that as always smack me with reality. 😞

I wanted to buy the Host Mamoth triple slide truck camper but fear it's just too heavy for my truck?

Not to mention the idea of leaving camp all set up & driving away with my truck to see the sights after dropping the trailer & leaving our camp all set up is a nice thought.

[Blanco1]

Reddog1 wrote:


Food for thought. When you exceed 27 feet, you may not have access to some campgrounds.

Wayne

Good point!
My biggest reason for want to keep it short is my limited space in the back yard.

As it is I'm gonna have to sell all my toys to make the room, my back yard is currently filled with toys.

[C_Schomer]

All the bed rails I've seen mount sideways. I think someone mentioned a 4way pivot hitch and they also pivot side to side. I started with a 14k single pivot hitch and soon had to switch to a 4way 15k cuz the single pivot bound up on really uneven ground and I couldn't get unhitched.
I've built 3 rv beds and about to build another and I put the hitch 3" ahead of the axle. When I started rving in the early 90s dealers included a single pivot hitch, installed, as part of a new 5er deal but I doubt if they do that anymore.
I bought my 32' 15k gvw 5er used from a friend and he already put on a 5th Airborn pin box on the 5er and it help a lot. None of my previous 5er weighed over 10k and no special hitch was needed for them.
I think your dually is still rated 12500 towing if you have the 4.10 but your payload goes up higher than my 3/4T did, so around 30-32', depending on how heavy it's built, will probably be your limit for the gvw.
Keep in mind, passengers and cargo in the truck are included in the towing capacity of the truck so estimate that weight and add it to the gvw of the 5er you pick, to avoid going over the trucks towing capacity. Craig

[Reddog1]

Blanco1 wrote:

I suppose I should start going to all the shows & narrow it down to what trailer weights are in my range before buying the hitch, to help me determine what's the right hitch?

I think that is a good idea, but that will not take long. My thought is ask members here the weights of their 5th wheels. I bet very few if any that are 30 feet are under, are over 15000 lbs. If that proves to be true, watch for a used hitch for $200 or less. I think you will end up with a hitch that uses the side to side rails. You have time to be picky.

[Reddog1]

I have had my 5th wheel hitch since 2001. My current truck is the second one I have had it on. The rails were on my first truck, I installed the rails on my second truck. This page of Etrailer will give you an idea what is available for your 1997 Dodge. As you can see, you can spend as much as you want. These people are very easy to talk to for some of the finer points in selecting a hitch.

My experience pulling 5th wheels is a bit limited, but I have pulled 19 foot and 35 foot 5ers. Weights from 6000 to 13000 lbs. with my 15000 hitch and '96 Dodge SRW. My hitch is a Reese and with the exception of the 16K decal, looks exactly like the Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs. I had a less expensive slide bar model for about a week, but definitely prefer the 2-piece jaw.

I do see 5th wheel hitches on Craigslist often, for $100 to $200.

Food for thought. When you exceed 27 feet, you may not have access to some campgrounds.

Wayne

[Blanco1]

Well I'm pretty sure I'll get a trailer no longer the 32 feet preferably smaller than 30, but never know.

I suppose I should start going to all the shows & narrow it down to what trailer weights are in my range before buying the hitch, to help me determine what's the right hitch?