Selecting a hitch

[batmack]

The maximum pulling weight for my 3/4 ton V8 (6.5' bed) truck is 12,200 lbs. I'm looking at a 8K to 10K fifth wheel. Should I buy a 12K or 14K hitch? Which hitch company is best? Should I think about a slider?

[chuggs]

No...I just mean planning wise. I hadn't planned on buying a 1 ton truck when we bought our hitch and camper. That may be the case for some.

On the one hand...I wish that I had gone ahead and purchased an 18k-20k hitch. I say that...but the weights on my 1998 4x4 quad cab aren't the best in the world. So having a heavier hitch wouldn't really have been a better choice. It would have been extra weight on the rear axle which wouldn't have been good.

I do plan to buy a 1 ton truck when it comes time to replace my 3/4 ton. I will probably install a new hitch that is equivalent to the new trucks towing capacity. Or keep my current hitch...but I probably will opt for the hidden mounting system.

[ventrman]

chuggs wrote:
There are two approaches...

1) I won't ever buy a 1 ton truck/ and or transition to a larger camper... Buy a hitch for your camper. I bought a 15k Pull Rite SuperGlide... My camper is around 9,800#... 1.5 safety margin :). Plus whatever the hitch manufacturer throws in for safety.




2) I may one day get a larger truck, camper, or both...and don't want to have to buy another hitch. Buy a hitch for the rated capacity of the tow vehicle, current or planned...and you can pull anything it's capable of.

Really becomes a personal choice. No wrong answer.


So, I will probably have to do this someday...I can foresee getting a New 1-ton truck...and a larger Toy Hauler down the road sometime... I will have to buy another hitch. We didn't know how much we would enjoy the RV lifestyle... We have had our 5th wheel since June 2010...and spend over 60 nights a year in it (averaging about 6 nights a month). When I retire, we will be going places far beyond the reach of our current locations... Cannot wait!! 3572 days...but who's counting???

Did you mean don't ever buy a 1 Ton Truck or won't?

[chuggs]

There are two approaches...

1) I won't ever buy a 1 ton truck/ and or transition to a larger camper... Buy a hitch for your camper. I bought a 15k Pull Rite SuperGlide... My camper is around 9,800#... 1.5 safety margin :). Plus whatever the hitch manufacturer throws in for safety.




2) I may one day get a larger truck, camper, or both...and don't want to have to buy another hitch. Buy a hitch for the rated capacity of the tow vehicle, current or planned...and you can pull anything it's capable of.

Really becomes a personal choice. No wrong answer.


So, I will probably have to do this someday...I can foresee getting a New 1-ton truck...and a larger Toy Hauler down the road sometime... I will have to buy another hitch. We didn't know how much we would enjoy the RV lifestyle... We have had our 5th wheel since June 2010...and spend over 60 nights a year in it (averaging about 6 nights a month). When I retire, we will be going places far beyond the reach of our current locations... Cannot wait!! 3572 days...but who's counting???

[batmack]

Thank you ! Great information.

[Coach-man]

With a short bed, 6.5' I would definatley look at sliders. I to have a short bed, and purchased the Pull Right Super Glide because it will automatically slide back when backing, I do not have to think about it! peace of mind, the model is a 15 K hitch!

[Ranger_Smith]

I would go with a 14k. I don't think it is that much more expensive. I would also do the slider. It is better to have it and not need it than it is to need it and not have it.

[wandering1]

Get a hitch that will handle the weight of your trailer. Yes you need a slider if you do not have an 8ft bed.