Ram Factory 5th Wheel prep, Which Hitch?

[timesquare]

I know this has been covered before, but I was hoping now that this prep has been out for awhile and more companies have introduced Hitches for this setup, I could get real world experience.

Pulled the trigger on a 3500 Longbed, to replace the one totalled by a drunk driver in front of my house.

Didn't think twice about the Factory prep, until it was time to install my hitch. Pullrite Super5 20.5. Thought all I needed was the new base that Pullrite just released.
One call to confirm,,, Wrong,,, Hitch is useless.

After some research, options are

B&W Companion Hitch with fits into the Pucks(Serious backorder) What's up with having to torque bolts on a regular basis?

Curt Q20 with the new legs that work with the Dodge factory prep

Pullrite ISR Hitch on their New Brackets (seems like the base rails would add more areas for movement)

These are the three I have narrowed it down to,but open to others

Looking for opinions and experience of the different brands since they price out close to each other.

I like the pullrite locking jaw system, seems like its fool proof, had a Superglide, before the current hitch never a problem, except for unhitching on uneven ground. But the two jaw setups are very common I just don't have any experience with them

Wasn't expecting to shell out this much on a hitch, but it is what it is.

So any advice would be appreciated

[Cummins12V98]

timesquare wrote:
Decision time.
Trying to choose between the Andersen and B&W

Andersen (Pros)
Really like the lightness and ease of install and removal.
like the towing reports. seems to pull smooth
Cheaper, by $275 when you add in the gooseneck ball and safety chains
Can use it in multiple trucks, (With a gooseneck)

Cons
Well the lightness kind of has me rethinking, I love robust hitches (Until I have to load them, but still I over build.
Not sure how easy it is to use, but with anything different it takes time to get comfortable
1 Year limited Warranty, the B&W has a 5 year limited warranty



So I have to decide soon, the camping season is upon us, kids getting restless

Just look at them side by side. That should make your decision.Or anything you pull with the Andersen has to be prepped to work with the Andersen.

[Shepherd]

Good luck on your choice.:C

[timesquare]

Decision time.
Trying to choose between the Andersen and B&W

Andersen (Pros)
Really like the lightness and ease of install and removal.
like the towing reports. seems to pull smooth
Cheaper, by $275 when you add in the gooseneck ball and safety chains
Can use it in multiple trucks, (With a gooseneck)

Cons
Well the lightness kind of has me rethinking, I love robust hitches (Until I have to load them, but still I over build.
Not sure how easy it is to use, but with anything different it takes time to get comfortable
1 Year limited Warranty, the B&W has a 5 year limited warranty

So I have to decide soon, the camping season is upon us, kids getting restless

[Farmer_David]

I am also a B&W Fan you will not regret waiting on one to come in

[blofgren]

NC Hauler wrote:

blofgren wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

Shepherd wrote:
Doesn't Ram have their own hitch?:h

They sell a hitch under the Mopar name, but it's identical to a Reese....They work WITH the picture frame adapter....and if I were going to purchase a picture frame adapter, it wouldn't be from the Stealership....I'd purchase a Reese picture frame adapter, it's substantially cheaper and identical to the Mopar picture frame adapter.

I think Ram offers two hitches, one is a 16K and the other is a 20 something K, they don't make them, believe they purchased them from Reese, they're identical to Reese hitches....but again, they're more expensive ordering through Mopar or purchasing at the Stealership.. I would purchase from a reputable hitch dealer, it'll be cheaper.

I have the sliding Ram 20k hitch and they are made by Curt, so they are the same as the Q20 or Q24. It is actually a very nice product.

Correct...Ram doesn't build them, Reese and Curt and other manufacturers build these hitches for Ram..Ram slaps their name on the hitch and charges more for them than Camping world would...and most times, will charge more than a trailer hitch business would.

No doubt; I got my picture frame adapter and hitch thrown in as part of the deal so it was a good price.;)

Otherwise I definitely would have been talking to a local hitch shop. I would have loved the B&W but I thought I should have the slider option given that my truck is a short box.

[Cummins12V98]

Get the B&W you won't regret it. Compare side by side.

[NC_Hauler]

blofgren wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

Shepherd wrote:
Doesn't Ram have their own hitch?:h

They sell a hitch under the Mopar name, but it's identical to a Reese....They work WITH the picture frame adapter....and if I were going to purchase a picture frame adapter, it wouldn't be from the Stealership....I'd purchase a Reese picture frame adapter, it's substantially cheaper and identical to the Mopar picture frame adapter.

I think Ram offers two hitches, one is a 16K and the other is a 20 something K, they don't make them, believe they purchased them from Reese, they're identical to Reese hitches....but again, they're more expensive ordering through Mopar or purchasing at the Stealership.. I would purchase from a reputable hitch dealer, it'll be cheaper.

I have the sliding Ram 20k hitch and they are made by Curt, so they are the same as the Q20 or Q24. It is actually a very nice product.

Correct...Ram doesn't build them, Reese and Curt and other manufacturers build these hitches for Ram..Ram slaps their name on the hitch and charges more for them than Camping world would...and most times, will charge more than a trailer hitch business would.

[blofgren]

NC Hauler wrote:

Shepherd wrote:
Doesn't Ram have their own hitch?:h

They sell a hitch under the Mopar name, but it's identical to a Reese....They work WITH the picture frame adapter....and if I were going to purchase a picture frame adapter, it wouldn't be from the Stealership....I'd purchase a Reese picture frame adapter, it's substantially cheaper and identical to the Mopar picture frame adapter.

I think Ram offers two hitches, one is a 16K and the other is a 20 something K, they don't make them, believe they purchased them from Reese, they're identical to Reese hitches....but again, they're more expensive ordering through Mopar or purchasing at the Stealership.. I would purchase from a reputable hitch dealer, it'll be cheaper.

I have the sliding Ram 20k hitch and they are made by Curt, so they are the same as the Q20 or Q24. It is actually a very nice product.

[NC_Hauler]

Shepherd wrote:
Doesn't Ram have their own hitch?:h

They sell a hitch under the Mopar name, but it's identical to a Reese....They work WITH the picture frame adapter....and if I were going to purchase a picture frame adapter, it wouldn't be from the Stealership....I'd purchase a Reese picture frame adapter, it's substantially cheaper and identical to the Mopar picture frame adapter.

I think Ram offers two hitches, one is a 16K and the other is a 20 something K, they don't make them, believe they purchased them from Reese, they're identical to Reese hitches....but again, they're more expensive ordering through Mopar or purchasing at the Stealership.. I would purchase from a reputable hitch dealer, it'll be cheaper.

[NC_Hauler]

The Andersen Ultimate 5er hitch is another route to go...you use the center puck to install a drop in ball, (Reese has the Elite drop in ball)...A lot of people went this route when Ram put out their truck with the GN/5er set up, but no picture frame adapter....


To the OP. It very well be that your hitch may NOT work in the picture frame adapter. I'd look at one and see what you think. I don't think I'd want to weld my hitch to the picture frame adapter if it doesn't work to begin with.

There are several manufacturers out there that make a hitch, as stated earlier that will eliminate the need for the picture frame adapter, and their hitch will fit into the pucks and lock down with T-locks.

[oweninthekeys]

sh4717 wrote:
I have been using the Andersen Hitch in my Dodge. I came from a Superglide also and the Andersen is the best setup I've ever had. Just another option for you. Good luck.

I have to agree! Love the ability to make my bed clear in a matter of minutes.

[hammer21661]

I would probably get the b&w or the pullrite. Probably the B&W. You could buy the reese adapter and weld your pullrite to it but it will be heavy.

[tinner12002]

What about the reece elite hitch, I have that in my dodge and it does have the same kind of setup with the cam locks, not sure of spacing with the factory base, I used their base plate.

[Shepherd]

Doesn't Ram have their own hitch?:h