Which 5th wheel hitch

[BourbonRam]

Planning on buying my first fifth wheel trailer. Have been looking at fifth wheel hitches and installation rails. The fifth wheel I'm looking at is a Jayco Eagle 321 RSTS, unloaded 10075 # , loaded 12500 #. My truck is in my signature. Have been looking at the Curt A16 with the Curt installation kit. Etrailer has the both for around $842.00.

Any pros and cons about Curt?

What are your thoughts and suggestions?

[BourbonRam]

Thanks for all the input. Still have not made a final decision. Currently considering a larger truck. Plan on having the fifth wheel gooseneck prep on it. Very interested in the Andersen hitch. Lightweight is a plus. Also leaning to a B&W as second choice. Again thanks.

[LIKE2BUILD]

I'm happily using a Curt Q20. Hooking and unhooking is very simple. The head articulates on all axes and is smooth. The dual jaw securely grabs the pin and had no noise.

The B&W is also a very good hitch.

KJ

[mx727]

There are too many good options that don't have rails in the bed. I'd never install a hitch that has rails. They get in the way when you haul other stuff.

[tinner12002]

If you have a gooseneck hitch in your truck I think the Anderson Ultimate uses that and doesn't weigh very much/easy to remove and no rails in your truck bed.
I've not had any experience with one but have only heard good comments about them so far.
Here is a link to a video.
http://www.hitchsource.com/andersen-ultimate-5th-wheel-connectiongooseneck-version-p-35157.html

[JIMNLIN]

op wrote:
Any pros and cons about Curt?

What are your thoughts and suggestions?

Pros and cons about any hitch brand......Depends on which hitch one owns is the best and which web forum your question is asked.
I see Curt is the most popular with commercial haulers on many of those type websites.
On this web Pullrite/Reese/Curt/B&W/Andersen are popular with RV folks.

For a 12500 GVWR trailer any of the 16k-18k 5th wheel hitch brands mentioned will do the job for you.

[Learjet]

check out these post

[BourbonRam]

goducks10 wrote:
I've been using a B&W patriot with rails in my 12 2500 CTD. It's been flawless for 4 seasons. I've gotten tired of hoisting the heavy bottom half in and out of my truck and now have an Anderson. It's a little trickier to hitch with but is sooo much lighter. I've only had a chance to use it a few times but so far I like it.

I will add though that you need to keep an eye on your pin weight. 12 2500 CTD trucks have really low payload capacity. With passengers, gear and pin weight you'll be definitely over the trucks GVWR, GCVWR and near the RAWR

Your right. My max payload is 2425 #. The pin weight on this Jayco is advertised at 2070 #. That leaves me only 355 #. Not sure what I'll do about that.

[goducks10]

I've been using a B&W patriot with rails in my 12 2500 CTD. It's been flawless for 4 seasons. I've gotten tired of hoisting the heavy bottom half in and out of my truck and now have an Anderson. It's a little trickier to hitch with but is sooo much lighter. I've only had a chance to use it a few times but so far I like it.

I will add though that you need to keep an eye on your pin weight. 12 2500 CTD trucks have really low payload capacity. With passengers, gear and pin weight you'll be definitely over the trucks GVWR, GCVWR and near the RAWR

[mowermech]

Many years ago, when we were full-timing in a fifth wheel, I got a Dodge Ram 3500 CTD dually to tow it. At that time, the Husky fifth wheel hitch was on sale for a little over $400 (IIRC). I got one of them, followed the installation instructions very carefully, and it took me about a day to install it, including the in-bed 7 pin receptacle. Yes, I''m slow, but that's what happens when you measure three times before drilling a hole!
I used that hitch for several years, completely trouble free.
I don't know if the Husky hitch is still available, or if it is still made by Valley Industries, but if it is I highly recommend it.

A google search for "husky hitch" shows the Husky 16K hitch for between $300 and $600 at etrailer.com

Whatever hitch you get, do not use grease on the plate. Get the plastic disc to replace the lube grease. It is MUCH cleaner!

[IdaD]

Check out a rail mount Andersen. Only 40 lbs so it's easy to take in and out and it works really well. Much better towing experience than I had with the previous Curt slider. They run about $500 on Amazon or etrailer.

Edit - On the rails, get a custom set for your truck so it will be a bolt on job to the frame. I got curt rails off etrailer and it was a pretty easy job. You will need a big torque wrench to get the bolts all cranked to spec.