size of hitch 16k or 20k

[browens62]

We are in the process of buying a 2018 Montana 12k dry with 4k carry.
should the 16k hitch be good or the next size up better.
Any feedback on the size of hitch for this 5th wheel?

[tinner12002]

jsum wrote:
Most of the fifth wheel hitches you will be happy with. It's amazing to see that everyone on here knows exactly which hitch would be best for YOU...........

Buy the hitch that you feel is the right one for you.

But I believe the OP was asking for opinions and or recommendations of which I will include mine, nothing wrong with getting the 20K hitch and knowing you have a safety comfort zone. That's one less thing you'll have to worry about.

[jsum]

Most of the fifth wheel hitches you will be happy with. It's amazing to see that everyone on here knows exactly which hitch would be best for YOU...........

Buy the hitch that you feel is the right one for you.

[Cummins12V98]

ken burke wrote:

centerline wrote:
unless the listed GVW for the trailer is 16.000lbs, a 12,000 lb trailer with 4000lb carry is still only a 12.000lb trailer....


..

I am not sure that is true. I think that the hitch people design a 20 K hitch for a 20K trailer.
ken

B&W I guarantee is WAY under rated, ANDERSEN for example no way!

Remember Craftsman shop vacs "develop" 6 hp!

[browens62]

Thank for everybody for the feedback.

[B_O__Plenty]

Very little price difference. Buy the 20k and be ready for the next trailer.

B.O.

[ken_burke]

centerline wrote:
unless the listed GVW for the trailer is 16.000lbs, a 12,000 lb trailer with 4000lb carry is still only a 12.000lb trailer....


..

I am not sure that is true. I think that the hitch people design a 20 K hitch for a 20K trailer.
ken

[ken_burke]

browens62 wrote:
We are in the process of buying a 2018 Montana 12k dry with 4k carry.
should the 16k hitch be good or the next size up better.
Any feedback on the size of hitch for this 5th wheel?

We had the same question, and went with a 20K hitch. I am glad I did . . . . our 5th wheel got heaver, and heaver. We are close to being overweight.
ken and sue

[MFL]

:B

[centerline]

unless the listed GVW for the trailer is 16.000lbs, a 12,000 lb trailer with 4000lb carry is still only a 12.000lb trailer....

as for the 16000lb rating of a hitch, this is not the "fail" rating of the hitch, but is the full usable rating.
when built hitches are designed with a minimum of a 3:1 safety factor.
this means that a 16,000lb hitch will only fail after it gets in the neighborhood of 48,000 lbs.
and not only are the hitches engineered with a minimum 3:1 safety factor, they must be tested to carry the rating.

I agree with the law that there is plenty of safety factor built in to pull a full 16,000lb trailer with a 16,000lb hitch.

even with a 10,000lb hitch, the tongue will be torn out of the trailer before the 5th wheel hitch fails..

[JIMNLIN]

Check out the PullRite ISR Superlite 5yth wheel hitch. Weighs just under 50 lbs and has a 20K tow rating.
PullRite
Check out their other style hitches.

And the same style Andersen Andersen

[MFL]

Installing the puck system and using the Companion slider would be a great set up. They are expensive, and heavy, as is any quality slider! I'm not the weight police by any means, but you will want to stay aware of your RAWR/tire max rating. That hitch is about 300 lbs, and loaded to camp FW pin could be 3,000+

Enjoy your new rig!

Jerry

[browens62]

Thanks for the feedback. 2016 2500 ram 6.4 bed. 6.4 eng with 4.10. Currently no puck system but will be installing soon.


I looking at the curt or BW hitch with a slider

[cummins2014]

Rail mount 20K Andersen hitch, and you will be covered.

[Veebyes]

18K hitch for a 11.5K dry wt trailer here. I like overkill. My boaters brain still rules. Had a 32' boat but primary anchor was rated 40-45' boat at twice the weight. We slept without worry on the hook. Same confidence with the trailer setup.