Help needed deciding which 5th wheel hitch to buy.

[wbrewr]

I'm new to 5th wheels but will be purchasing a pre-owned Excel that has a gross weight rating of 18,750 lbs. What I would love to hear is your opinions on which type of hitch you use and like and why. At this moment I am stillresearching trucks too so my brain is a little frazzled with all of this new information so any input from you experienced people would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance!

[j2m2]

I bought a hijacker 5th because I liked the fact that the rails go with the box(front to back) so it is easier to sweep out. Reese hitches have the rails that parallel the axle. I also chose the double pivot head for uneven hookup. Our 37 ft 5er was a dry weight of 10,200 lbs. We chose a 1 ton dually to haul HOWie up and down the moutains. After pulling it thru the rockies on the old Canada #1 highway in B.C., I was glad we chose the bigger truck. Hope this helps, Cheerio, Jeannine & Joe

[rockintom]

Welcome Brewer,

It hard to recommend a hitch when you don't have a truck yet. Don't have enough info to do the recommendation, however, if the weight is really right you stated, then you probably are looking at a 36fter Excel. To be safe, you'll need at least a MDT or bigger. A NEW Ford or Chevy 1 ton truck would be right on the edge on towing capacity. Hope this helps. rockin'

[Endeavor2BnC]

With that weight, which is what our's is, I'd definitely look for the " braking power" to stop it. Don't be fooled into thinking that a HDT is too expensive either. I got mine for a lot less than one of them new duallys.

As far as the hitch goes, we have the Trailer Saver Air Ride hitch. It really is great for smoothing out the ride. If you go with a dually, the Reese hitch worked well for us.

Good luck in your search. Don't be afraid to ask questions either. This is a great place to find the answers you need and great people to help you out.

Tim

[Workshop]

I have only owned two 5th wheel hitches...a PullRite Super 5th that was moved from truck to truck and was happy with...and the present Reese Elite hitch which was purchased for the present truck, 2011 F350.

Had no problems with the PullRite and had considered installing it in the new truck, it is a simple and effective hitch to use and install between trips. But I liked having the bed 'free of the rails' for moving things in and out of the bed that the Reese provides. Will upgrade to the Demco Glide Ride when the DW increases the Excel allowance.

workhorse

[gdbontly]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Welcome Brewer, A NEW Ford or Chevy 1 ton truck would be right on the edge on towing capacity. Hope this helps. rockin'

I believe the new Ram 3500 High Output (2011 1/2?) just surpassed the GCWR of both the Ford and Chevy. Somewhere around 30,000 pounds. Of course this configuration would be introduced just a FEW months AFTER I purchased my "standard output" model!

[wbrewr]

Thanks for you that stayed with the intent of the thread. I really need pros and cons on the different types of hitches available. So many different types and costs makes it confusing. Many thanks again for taking the time to respond.

[87_Fixr]

Our 1st Reece hitch didn't have articulation, and it ended up getting a bend on one side of the top because of unlevel ground hook-ups. My next hitch will have the articulation and air-ride features.
The permanent-in-the-bed rails don't really bother me too much in the bed. If I want to load something big I add a few short 2x6's and a piece of plywood over them for a smooth surface. Not a full-timer, I have the wood in my shop...

[MakinSmoke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endeavor2BnC With that weight, which is what our's is, I'd definitely look for the " braking power" to stop it. Don't be fooled into thinking that a HDT is too expensive either. I got mine for a lot less than one of them new duallys. As far as the hitch goes, we have the Trailer Saver Air Ride hitch. It really is great for smoothing out the ride. If you go with a dually, the Reese hitch worked well for us. Good luck in your search. Don't be afraid to ask questions either. This is a great place to find the answers you need and great people to help you out. Tim

I agree with ALL of what Tim said.

[Dan Hen]

I have had 3 5th wheel hitches, 1st a RBW good hitch but allowed bumping front to rear, 2nd a Pull right, great hitch with the 270 degree wrap around the king pin and the ability easy full remove the hitch, 3rd on is a B & W and it is the best of all, easy to install and remove and has the rubber privets for the hutch head, takes out some of the hard surface bounces and jolts and has very good no forward and backward movement . B & W has great customer service

dan

[lyncjim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Hen I have had 3 5th wheel hitches, 1st a RBW good hitch but allowed bumping front to rear, 2nd a Pull right, great hitch with the 270 degree wrap around the king pin and the ability easy full remove the hitch, 3rd on is a B & W and it is the best of all, easy to install and remove and has the rubber privets for the hutch head, takes out some of the hard surface bounces and jolts and has very good no forward and backward movement . B & W has great customer service dan

I also have B & W pulling 33RSO Excel. It also leaves bed clear of restrictions. Great hitch!

[redcow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyncjim I also have B & W pulling 33RSO Excel. It also leaves bed clear of restrictions. Great hitch!

Another vote for B&W

red

[Workshop]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbrewr I'm new to 5th wheels but will be purchasing a pre-owned Excel that has a gross weight rating of 18,750 lbs.

I to had considered the B & W Companion 5th wheel hitch because it left the bed clean of the rails, as that was an important consideration in my decision. My unit, 33RLE, weighted 14,800# the last time it was on the scales. It too has a max gross weight rating in the 17-18,000# range.

If I understood the info on the B & W Companion...it has a max rating of 18,000# ?? Considering what my units weights and we're not fulltimers, this hitch would have provided the rating to handle the trailer.

Taking into account my present truck has a +25,000 tow rating, I chose the Reese Elite because it was available in either a 18 or 25,000# rating. I bought the 25,000# because it would match the rating of the truck and wasn't much more in cost than the Reese 18,000# hitch.

I think the Reese Elite hitch is a good hitch but overpriced as compared to the Signature series that it replaced. When Ford and Reese teamed together to provide a hitch for the new Super Duty...the Signature series became Elite and the price increased.

I did find it on the .net at a price I was willing to pay to not have bed rails in the truck. I too have lived with a sheet of plywood and lumber in the bed of the truck inorder to have a 'FLAT FLOOR' to load sheetrock and other material....but a pain in the BUTT. If I didn't have to use the truck as a daily driver and work truck....the rails wouldn't have been a concern and might be asking the same question.

For information....Which unit are you considering purchasing? Knowing that might narrow the responces.

[Bruce and Jenna]

Workshop is right [as always]. Can't have too much hitch [or truck]. Match the hitch to the capacity of the truck, and you can easily upgrade the trailer without replacing the hitch. And the matching hitch will improve the resale value down the road.

Notice no one has suggested a sliding hitch for a shortbox truck. Hopefully you will buy a longbox and not consider that compromise.