This will be my first fiver. Getting a t.h. I just bought a 15 ram 3500 with fiver tow prep. I am talking the dealer into giving me a goose neck hitch so I'll have the ball. I was going to go with the Andersen ultimate fifth wheel hitch and then maybe get a side winder if I need it. Yeah I know get a slider. I wouldn't have a problem getting something like a pull rite superglide if it didn't give me a hernia along with all the other hitches. I already had one and don't need another.I want to be able to use my bed when not towing.haven't bought the t.h. yet so I don't have any other info. Just looking for input. If someone could recommend a light weight setup. Thanks

I have the Ram pucks, and went with a curt 5w hitch with legs that fit the pucks. The hitch head comes off the legs with two pins. Makes things alot lighter. I didn't get a slider. My FW has the angled front cap, and on my test run, I could get around 80* before hitting my backrack. If I removed the rack, I would get 85*+ before hitting the cab.

We have a list of the items made to work with the factory prep group at http://www.ramgunner.com/ram5thwheel.htmIf lifting is an issue, there are things that can help. One example http://www.ramgunner.com/stark_crane.html . Sometimes it comes down to working smarter, not harder. The Andersen is also an option.

ramgunner wrote:We have a list of the items made to work with the factory prep group at http://www.ramgunner.com/ram5thwheel.htmIf lifting is an issue, there are things that can help. One example http://www.ramgunner.com/stark_crane.html . Sometimes it comes down to working smarter, not harder. The Andersen is also an option.I purchased a crane identical to the Stark Crane from Amazon and used it once before selling it. I found it to be heavy (nearly 90 lbs) and unwieldy. It was far easier to break my hitch down into two pieces and remove it that way, but even that was getting difficult because things tend to get difficult after age 70. I went with the 40lb rail mount Andersen and couldn't be happier.

An advantage to the crane is that you don't have to lift it as far as you have to lift the hitch parts to the bed, only as high as the part that goes into the receiver. For some folks, that makes a difference.

Yeah I've seen that link. Thanksramgunner wrote:We have a list of the items made to work with the factory prep group at http://www.ramgunner.com/ram5thwheel.htmIf lifting is an issue, there are things that can help. One example http://www.ramgunner.com/stark_crane.html . Sometimes it comes down to working smarter, not harder. The Andersen is also an option.

short bed/Andersen ultimate/ ram factory prep/ no slider

cchristanis
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
Thanks. That's nice
mowin
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
Here's a pic of mine with rounded or curved front cap.
cchristanis
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
Oh and can someone post a link to pics of the difference between curved front and not curved. In other words a rv that will need a slider and one that should clear. I'm just trying to get an idea. Thanks
cchristanis
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
I'm definitely leaning towards the Andersen. I want light weight for when I remove it. I don't care if I only remove it twice a year.my friend says to just get a goose neck adapter and its the same thing. I told him according to etrailer those can add stress to your trailer frame. The Andersen is not supposed to be as bad. The Reese kingpin replacement like the side winder is supposed to be best. Link is down below. My only question is how will the hitch handle uneven camp groundS? Is there more range of motion than the 4 way standard fiver hitch?

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-adapting-a-5th-wheel-trailer-to-gooseneck-hitch.aspx
hbillsmith
Explorer
Apr 25, 2015
The Andersen Ultimate Aluminum has worked out great for me. Check out HitchSource.com for best price. Be sure to google for a coupon discount. I paid $598. Installation is ultra easy do it yourself.
e-light
Explorer
Apr 25, 2015
Get the aluminum andersen ultimate to go along with a gooseneck ball...you will be happy :)

I have this setup and its awesome...handles my 12k fiver with ease, smooth connection, no bucking or chucking, solid...no mess, its greeseless...oh and it weighs about 35 lbs. i have a 6.5' bed in my Ram and with the angled front on my fiver I can get as close to 90 deg as Ill ever need to...
minnow
Explorer
Apr 24, 2015
So now you not only have the hitch to store somewhere but a crane and a hand truck too. Sorry, my garage isn't that big.
cchristanis
Explorer
Apr 24, 2015
Yeah I've seen that link. Thanks

ramgunner wrote:
We have a list of the items made to work with the factory prep group at http://www.ramgunner.com/ram5thwheel.htm

If lifting is an issue, there are things that can help. One example http://www.ramgunner.com/stark_crane.html . Sometimes it comes down to working smarter, not harder.

The Andersen is also an option.
ramgunner
Explorer
Apr 24, 2015
An advantage to the crane is that you don't have to lift it as far as you have to lift the hitch parts to the bed, only as high as the part that goes into the receiver.

For some folks, that makes a difference.
ralphnjoann
Explorer
Apr 24, 2015
ramgunner wrote:
We have a list of the items made to work with the factory prep group at http://www.ramgunner.com/ram5thwheel.htm

If lifting is an issue, there are things that can help. One example http://www.ramgunner.com/stark_crane.html . Sometimes it comes down to working smarter, not harder.

The Andersen is also an option.
I purchased a crane identical to the Stark Crane from Amazon and used it once before selling it. I found it to be heavy (nearly 90 lbs) and unwieldy. It was far easier to break my hitch down into two pieces and remove it that way, but even that was getting difficult because things tend to get difficult after age 70. I went with the 40lb rail mount Andersen and couldn't be happier.