Need 5th wheel hitch advice

[Border_Boy]

Need a 5th wheel hitch for my new rig.
2017 Sprinter 298FWRLS at GVWR of 12,270 to a 2014 Ford F250 SD diesel, 6 1/2 ft. bed.

I think a 16K hitch will do it. Who makes a good quality hitch these days? Please give me about 3 in order.

Do I REALLY need a slider? If regular, about how far can I turn with the new cut out front caps?

[N-Trouble]

Border Boy wrote:
Been told by several people, including the RV dealer, that I shouldn't need the slider...so I'll try a regular hitch. I can always sell it and drop a slider on the rails.

Never never never take advice from a dealer.

[kennethwooster]

I also agree a hitch is not just a hitch. I've tried about 5 different ones. Some will not agree, but I fought the Reese trying to get it to hitch or unhook. I now have a B&W. It's the easiest hitch out of all those I've used. I have not tried the Anderson.

[cummins2014]

Border Boy wrote:
Been told by several people, including the RV dealer, that I shouldn't need the slider...so I'll try a regular hitch. I can always sell it and drop a slider on the rails.

IMHO you are making three mistakes.

1st mistake disregarding a slider, as said I have never needed mine ,but I still have it. Never know getting into a situation or RV park that you will need one.

Second mistake is disregarding the Andersen Hitch, which can be adjusted so you wouldn't need a slider.


Third mistake,and probably the biggest mistake of them all is listening to an RV dealer, and whatever several people have told you. JMHO.

Good luck, hope not having a slider doesn't bite you, it will be a lot more costly then a good slider or Andersen.

[Border_Boy]

Been told by several people, including the RV dealer, that I shouldn't need the slider...so I'll try a regular hitch. I can always sell it and drop a slider on the rails.

[Nicholsfamily05]

Good afternoon.
We are on our second Reese hitch. We upgraded our trailer to a bigger one and needed a bigger hitch so we bought the Reese 20K pro series or professional series.

We like the Reese as I've always been around them. My grandfather has been pulling fifth wheels for the better part of 40 years and has used them. Never had an issue with them except wearing out after so many years.

As for a slider model, well it's better to have it and no need it than to not have it and need it.
Our last trailer 40' bunk house, we never used it. We had a Dodge Ram Mega Cab with the short bed. I could go almost full 90 no issues.

On our new trailer I can't get anywhere near that type of turning so I see us needing to use it.

[phillyg]

I have a 6-1/2' bed and corner cutouts on the FW and I still need a slider. Pullrite and Demco both make good auto sliders, and the Demco Is height adjustable.

[Cummins12V98]

laknox wrote:

Rygar wrote:
Just looking right now for a hitch for my new truck. I pull a 2011 Montana that is just over 15,000 lbs wet. My new Ford F350 has a factory installed underbed mount installed. It seems to limit me to a Reese I think. I'm thinking the Reese Elite Series 18K will do the job. Truck has a 6 3/4 ft box but I don't think I need a slider.

B&W makes Companion FW hitches that fit the OEM FW preps on all of the Big 3 trucks.

Lyle

Like this???

[Njmurvin]

C.B. wrote:

Rjdreyer wrote:
PullRite Superglide 16k. Yes, on autoslider

Ditto

C.B.

x3

[cummins2014]

Rygar wrote:
Just looking right now for a hitch for my new truck. I pull a 2011 Montana that is just over 15,000 lbs wet. My new Ford F350 has a factory installed underbed mount installed. It seems to limit me to a Reese I think. I'm thinking the Reese Elite Series 18K will do the job. Truck has a 6 3/4 ft box but I don't think I need a slider.

Having a Reese Elite slider 18K they are a soild great hitch, but if I would had to do it over, and the Andersen would have been available, thats the way I would have went. The Reese is heavy, and either has to be removed in pieces or a hoist to remove .

Does your truck have the puck system fifth wheel prep same as the Rams ? If so then I would definitely hold out for the Andersen Hitch, they are coming out with their hitch that attaches to the OEM puck system for all three Ram, GM ,and Ford. They will be available in Feb. 2017.

I have yet to need that slider in both trucks I have had, Ford 350 , and Ram 3500 both short beds,and the Ram having an even shorter bed then the Ford.

[C_B_]

Rjdreyer wrote:
PullRite Superglide 16k. Yes, on autoslider

Ditto

C.B.

[laknox]

Rygar wrote:
Just looking right now for a hitch for my new truck. I pull a 2011 Montana that is just over 15,000 lbs wet. My new Ford F350 has a factory installed underbed mount installed. It seems to limit me to a Reese I think. I'm thinking the Reese Elite Series 18K will do the job. Truck has a 6 3/4 ft box but I don't think I need a slider.

B&W makes Companion FW hitches that fit the OEM FW preps on all of the Big 3 trucks.

Lyle

[laknox]

Border Boy wrote:
Need a 5th wheel hitch for my new rig.
2017 Sprinter 298FWRLS at GVWR of 12,270 to a 2014 Ford F250 SD diesel, 6 1/2 ft. bed.

I think a 16K hitch will do it. Who makes a good quality hitch these days? Please give me about 3 in order.

Do I REALLY need a slider? If regular, about how far can I turn with the new cut out front caps?

I'm a B&W fan and have, and use, the Turnover Ball gooseneck and FW Companion, and not likely ever to change. I can only assume that the rail and slider versions are equally as good. At the same time, the Andersen Ultimate is getting lots of good press.

Lyle

[Gsport]

I just installed a Patriot slider in my shortbed. I've been using a Reese slider for years until it actually slid on its own, while towing. Scared the **** out of me..

[Rygar]

Just looking right now for a hitch for my new truck. I pull a 2011 Montana that is just over 15,000 lbs wet. My new Ford F350 has a factory installed underbed mount installed. It seems to limit me to a Reese I think. I'm thinking the Reese Elite Series 18K will do the job. Truck has a 6 3/4 ft box but I don't think I need a slider.