What's the word on 5er + GN combo hitches these days?

[TriumphGuy]

Hi folks,
Dabbling with the idea of getting another truck and figured I'd let the hitch I have (Reese Signature 18k slider) go with the current truck. My thoughts:
- I would switch to a long bed and wouldn't need a slider anymore
- Would like to have the option for a GN ball should the need arise to pull a trailer
- Still want to have the fifth wheel hitch option too
- No rails in the bed ("flush fit" needed) for when I need to haul stuff and/or loading a TC in the future
- Easily removable? I use a lift to get my current hitch out of the bed but could always use something easier to get out. I'm sure without the slider I save a good amount of weight.

Last time I looked the B&W was on the short list. Truck might be a 2005-2007 F350 DRW.

http://www.turnoverball.com/products/rvhitch/companion-5th-wheel-hitch

Any other recommendations?

Thanks!

[mudmaker]

N-Trouble wrote:
There are four large set screws that keep the coupler from rotating on the kingpin. If the set screws are properly torqued there is no way that thing should ever rotate.

After working maintaining heavy equipment for several years I have replaced several things that should never have failed.
I appreciate the sturdiness of the B&W ball in both my trucks. Neither rattles and height doesn't need to be adjusted on my big GN trailer for hitch up either. As far as the companion, install and removal is easy, the jaws lock around pin so visual inspection tells me it's hitched. One inch solid jaws give me assurance that it's heavy duty and will probably hold up well should there be an emergency and stopping or wreck occurs. I feel comfortable it's not the weak point in my truck and camper setup.
Not hard to install either. Measure and measure again before drilling those holes!

[laknox]

jerem0621 wrote:

Sturgeon-Phish wrote:
I think there is good reason why people who have the B&W turnover/Companion rave over them. I can't say I can remember anyone who had one say they did not like them
Jim

Your absolutly correct! And they are pretty affordable too!!

You can order the Companion and the Gooseneck online for around 1200.00. If you can install them yourself that is a bonus. I know people who paid 1200 plus for their fifth wheel hitch and rails!

You can be in business with a cheap hitch and rails for under $400 for the parts ordering online. Many many options for people today. I think it's great!

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I installed my TO Ball solo and helped my brother with his. Biggest problem was getting up the nerve to cut that 4" hole in the center of my bed! 🙂 I refused to do that on my brother's truck; his truck, his problem, if he FUBAR'd it. 🙂

Lyle

[laknox]

N-Trouble wrote:

crcr wrote:
With the Andersen, you're losing some of the easy slide the king pin into the hitch head hook up ability of a standard fifth wheel hitch.

Yes you have to lift the trailer a couple of extra inches to clear the ball BUT you also lose the possibility of high hitching and dropping the trailer on your truck bed like you can with a standard 5er hitch.

A B&W isn't a "standard" FW hitch, IMO. Impossible to high-hitch, unless you count missing the entire hitch a "high-hitch". 🙂

Lyle

[laknox]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
I don't care for it personally, but the Anderson hitch also is available. I have no real reason for not liking it, just doesn't look strong enough I guess.

I agree, also the frame is transferring weight to the top corrugations of the bed. That could cause deflection with a 18K load they are supposed to be rated for.

Personally I would stick with the B&W.

There have been reports of bed crushing on late-model trucks and B&W has a kit to retro-fit the newer trucks with a base pad that contours to the corrugations in the bed to help with this. Not B&W's fault that the mfrs cheapen up their products.

Lyle

[laknox]

TriumphGuy wrote:
Hi folks,
Dabbling with the idea of getting another truck and figured I'd let the hitch I have (Reese Signature 18k slider) go with the current truck. My thoughts:
- I would switch to a long bed and wouldn't need a slider anymore
- Would like to have the option for a GN ball should the need arise to pull a trailer
- Still want to have the fifth wheel hitch option too
- No rails in the bed ("flush fit" needed) for when I need to haul stuff and/or loading a TC in the future
- Easily removable? I use a lift to get my current hitch out of the bed but could always use something easier to get out. I'm sure without the slider I save a good amount of weight.

Last time I looked the B&W was on the short list. Truck might be a 2005-2007 F350 DRW.

http://www.turnoverball.com/products/rvhitch/companion-5th-wheel-hitch

Any other recommendations?

Thanks!

That short list should only have 1 entry...B&W, all the way! Great products and great company. They've also upped the weight rating on the Companion. I have both, and use both. In fact, used the GN about 3 weeks ago to haul the remains of a neighbor's big pine tree out to our shop so I can slice it up. 🙂

Lyle

[TriumphGuy]

N-Trouble wrote:
There are four large set screws that keep the coupler from rotating on the kingpin. If the set screws are properly torqued there is no way that thing should ever rotate.

Makes sense, I was just looking at the pictures online and saw those set screws.

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I'll be considering the Companion and giving the Anderson a serious thought. The Reese version looks exactly like what I have now and I want to look at the others more closely and see if I like them better. Want to make sure I've covered the options...

[packnrat]

there is a plate for putting a ball hitch in the bed.
but with rails in my bed never had a problem. even use them for holding "other" things in place.

unless you need a heaver hitch keep the slider. (worse case sell on flea-bay or cl =cash)

i kept mine and third (first was short, second was long bed) truck is a short bed (would like a long bed but price of a NEW truck says buy what one can).

investments in tools is a long term thing.

[Cummins12V98]

For those pulling large 5er's I would highly recommend looking at the RVK3600 if you have a RAM and factory prep kit.

Look on e trailer at the RVK3600 it's rated at 25K then look at the Andersen it's rated at 24K. Someone is full of Barbara Streisand on those ratings!

I think an Andersen would be fine with a light 5er.

[Cummins12V98]

N-Trouble wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:

crcr wrote:
With the Andersen, you're losing some of the easy slide the king pin into the hitch head hook up ability of a standard fifth wheel hitch.

Yes you have to lift the trailer a couple of extra inches to clear the ball BUT you also lose the possibility of high hitching and dropping the trailer on your truck bed like you can with a standard 5er hitch.

Do you still do a pull test with the Andersen?

No need to with a ball/coupler.

I understand there is no need to do a pull test with a Andersen. Why, because you can look at and see it's attached!

Now for those that think I am irresponsible by saying there is no need to do a pull test with a B&W hitch. The above is a perfect example of why I don't with my B&W.

I "LOOK" to see the hitch and kingpin plates ate touching then I "LOOK" to see the 1" fully enclosing jaws are around the kingpin. These tow visual tests are done along with latching and locking the handle. Now see why IMHO there is no reason to do a pull test with a B&W or an Andersen?

Disclaimer...please do a pull test if you want to !!!

[fj12ryder]

The Mad Norsky wrote:
Looked at one of these Andersen hitches at a dealership. Very stout construction.

Design? Well, look what that shape has done for the pyramids in Egypt! I'd say they've been around for a while.

Yeah, but when was the last time you saw a 5th wheel hooked up to one of them? 🙂

[fj12ryder]

The Anderson hitch seems to be very strong with respect to vertical weight, but realistically that never amounts to as much as the pulling weight. That concerns me more than its ability to withstand a lot of vertical weight.

I'm sure it's a good hitch, it just doesn't fill me with confidence. YMMV.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

Looked at one of these Andersen hitches at a dealership. Very stout construction.

Design? Well, look what that shape has done for the pyramids in Egypt! I'd say they've been around for a while.

[jerem0621]

N-Trouble wrote:
Looks can be deceiving... That is the strongest geometrical shape known to man.

Yep... the thing stood up to 60,000 (sixty thousand) lbs of pressure before the legs buckled. Even then they didn't collapse or come apart catastrophically.

Raising the coupler higher than the ball is not a problem for a fifth wheel. I am not sure why it would be.

I appreciate the design, I also appreciate the Companion hitch. Very good design too.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[N-Trouble]

There are four large set screws that keep the coupler from rotating on the kingpin. If the set screws are properly torqued there is no way that thing should ever rotate.