cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

Need 5th wheel hitch advice

Border_Boy
Explorer
Explorer
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?
29 REPLIES 29

Rjdreyer
Explorer
Explorer
PullRite Superglide 16k. Yes, on autoslider

tunatundra
Explorer
Explorer
I had a B&W/Andersen installed and I like it. I am not selling anyone but just replying to your question. I can back up to hitch and unhitch at abrupt angles since the trailer is setting on a ball. I can easily remove the Andersen and carry it with one arm (just a slight grunt). It works well on my 12,500 5ver
Rusty & Lana
2017 Cougar 333MKS
2016 F250 Diesel

Michelle_S
Explorer III
Explorer III
I just have a problem with Lite Weight and dropping 4K of pin weight on it and pulling 18K behind it. Just me I guess, but I'll stay with a normal Fifthwheel hitch, no safeth chains needed, no special adapters, back into it, latched, connect electrical and break-a-way cable and go.
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country Crew Cab DRW, D/A, 2016 Redwood 39MB, Dual AC, Fireplace, Sleep #Bed, Auto Sat Dish, Stack Washer/Dryer, Auto Level Sys, Disk Brakes, Onan Gen, 17.5" "H" tires, MORryde Pin & IS, Comfort Ride, Dual Awnings, Full Body Paint

cummins2014
Explorer
Explorer
Garry&Gayle wrote:
Here is another that competes with the Anderson Pullrite


Thats certainly going to give Andersen a run for their money. Comparing the two, the Andersen is the cheaper of the two, the weight ratings are pretty close to the same. This is comparing the Andersen that requires the industry standard rails, not the gooseneck connection. It seems the PullRite only connects with either bed rails or their rails which IMO is the better way to go. Not a fan of the gooseneck ball connection on this style of hitch.

Can't see where the OP could go wrong with either

Garry_Gayle
Explorer
Explorer
Here is another that competes with the Anderson Pullrite

cummins2014
Explorer
Explorer
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?



If I had my choice today with that fifth wheel of yours I wouldn't hesitate to go the Andersen hitch. Save yourself a few bucks, and still be getting a quality well built hitch, and its USA made.

That Andersen hitch, that fifth wheel you have chosen, and that truck you have will be a great setup. Do some research on the hitch, you will like the reviews . Also call and talk to Andersen Hitches, they are great to talk to. They are in Idaho Fall, ID

No you won't need a slider with that fifth wheel ,and the Andersen Hitch.

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Explorer III
TxGearhead wrote:
Only one I've had is a Curt Q20. No issues with two different 5th's.
I hate to bring it up......but a 12,000GVW pin weight might be pushing the payload envelope of a F250, so get the lightest hitch. Most likely the Andersen.


2104 F250 is more than adequate for a GVWR 12k tailer......it is rated as high as a mid-late 2000 F350 :S

I have used a Husky 16K for past 10 years towing a 14K 5vr

IF I was in the market for new hitch I would give the Anderson Ultimate a serious look.
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

N-Trouble
Explorer
Explorer
My 31ft 12K GVWR tows beautifully behind my little ol 2012 Dmax 2500HD. No airbags or other assist and truck sits level and tows VERY comfortably.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program... Hitches
2015 Attitude 28SAG w/slide
2012 GMC 2500HD SLT Duramax
B&W Turnover w/Andersen Ultimate 5er hitch

Second_Chance
Explorer II
Explorer II
IdaD wrote:
I don't use a slider in my short bed but I do use an Andersen flipped back which gives me a little more clearance. I can turn at a full lock going forward without hitting. I can't do 90 backing up but I don't know that I ever need to. I do really like the hitch - I use the rail mount version. It's light and very simple. I'm completely sold on the design and will never use a standard fifth wheel hitch again.

B&W always gets talked up as a good brand and I'm sure it's a good hitch but I don't have any personal experience with it. Some swear by the high end air ride hitches but I also have no experience there.


X2

Rob
U.S. Army retired
2020 Solitude 310GK-R
MORryde IS, disc brakes, solar, DP windows
(Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
2012 F350 CC DRW Lariat 6.7
Full-time since 8/2015

TxGearhead
Explorer II
Explorer II
Only one I've had is a Curt Q20. No issues with two different 5th's.
I hate to bring it up......but a 12,000GVW pin weight might be pushing the payload envelope of a F250, so get the lightest hitch. Most likely the Andersen.
2018 Ram 3500 CC LB DRW 4X4 Cummins Aisin Laramie Pearl White
2018 Landmark Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4
2014 NauticStar 21 ShallowBay 150HP Yamaha
2016 GoDevil 18X44 35HP Surface Drive

IdaD
Explorer
Explorer
I don't use a slider in my short bed but I do use an Andersen flipped back which gives me a little more clearance. I can turn at a full lock going forward without hitting. I can't do 90 backing up but I don't know that I ever need to. I do really like the hitch - I use the rail mount version. It's light and very simple. I'm completely sold on the design and will never use a standard fifth wheel hitch again.

B&W always gets talked up as a good brand and I'm sure it's a good hitch but I don't have any personal experience with it. Some swear by the high end air ride hitches but I also have no experience there.
2015 Cummins Ram 4wd CC/SB

N-Trouble
Explorer
Explorer
Two most popular and commonly discussed here are B&W and Andersen Ultimate 5er hitch.

The notion that a hitch is a hitch couldn't be farther from the truth. Just compare the B&W to the Andersen and while both are fine well made hitches they are VERY different from one another in how they operate and have tradeoffs to consider.

The need for a slider comes down to truck + trailer front cap design + where you typically like to camp. Are you a pull through full hookup kind of guy (skip the slider...) or do you get off the beaten path and find yourself in tight situations?

Other things to consider. Is hitch weight a concern? Some hitches are very heavy (Autosliders being the heaviest) while other hitches are reasonably lite (Andersen).
2015 Attitude 28SAG w/slide
2012 GMC 2500HD SLT Duramax
B&W Turnover w/Andersen Ultimate 5er hitch

Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Explorer
I did my research and purchased a B&G Patriot for my full size box. Then do make a 20,000 pound slider that I would not hesitate for one second to recommend.
Mike
2012 Winnebago Impulse Silver 26QP
2005 16.6 Double Eagle
2018 Jeep Wrangler JK
previously Snowbird Campers,
Triple E Motorhome and Fifth Wheel

Drifter1959
Explorer
Explorer
I have a Demco Hijacker Autoslide and never have to look back unless I'm going past 90 degrees. In my last set up I had a Reese manual slider. I had to use it several times as I find myself in small fueling stations (lower priced fuel) and need the tighter turning radius a slider provides. Its still the same with the new set up except I don't have to manually slide the hitch. Once you go autoslide, you'll never go back.
Camp On!
Mule: 2016 RAM Mega Cab Dually 4X4, RAM Puck w/ Demco Hijacker 21K Autoslide, Laramie, 6.7, Aisin, 4.10's, 51 Gal Midship Titan Fuel Tank.
Wagon: 2015 Jayco Pinnacle 38FLSA, Sailun G's, Center Point Air Suspension, 572 Watts Solar w/4 T-145s.

azdryheat
Explorer
Explorer
3 in order? Never seen hitches rated; it's all subjective, personal preference. A hitch is a hitch is a hitch in my opinion; they're all good. All of the hitches will do what you want them to do. I use a Curt and it does a great job. I got the Curt because that's what the hitch store carried. I had a slider in my previous short-bed truck and never used it.
2013 Chevy 3500HD CC dually
2014 Voltage 3600 toy hauler
2019 RZR 1000XP TRE