Thoughts on Reese Elite 5th Wheels

[djkarau]

I'm interested in purchasing a Reese Elite 5th wheel (18K model) for my F350.

The big sell for me is the fact that the rails are under the bed and when the 5th is removed I will have no rails to deal with in the box.

Any one with experience with these hitches good or bad?

[BCooke]

Only used it this weekend. Seems like a 5er hitch. Goods: lighter than the PullRite I had (it was for a short bed), easy to remove, seperates at head with 2 pins, has a flag to help you determine that it is properly connected.
Bad: only bad I had was the first head did not function (came with my ford).
Called Reese sent pictures to them 2 times and they sent a replacement head.
I am happy with it.
I have not tried the gooseneck connection.

[Cat320]

When I was shopping for a hitch, I ruled Reese out because many of their handles stick up in the air. I had a tonneau cover that I would not be able to use (and hide my hitch) with that handle in the air.

[Half Dimes]

I bought the 25K version through the Ford dealer when we got our new truck with the factory installed under bed kit. Assembled and installed it myself so that I knew how to do it.

Towed with it about 7,000 miles so far. Quieter than our old Reese 20K hitch. Only hear a clunk with this one when we stop quickly in the split second before the trailer's hydraulic brakes kick in. I know it's just a psychological thing, but I like the fact that the 'jaw' of the new hitch wraps around the pin vs. the two piece jaw on the old hitch.

You mention the 18K hitch. Not sure about the price differential but why not get the 25K hitch to allow for 'future expansion'.

Be sure to get your truck dealer's price for the hitch. In our case they were very competitive.

[dverna]

I do not like mine. I have had it for a year. On the first unit, the handle would stay locked back for hitching. Reese even gave General RV a hard time saying "that is not possible". Well it sure is.

The second head will not stay tilted. I will need to rig up a spring to get a slight tilt for hitching.

I have the 25k unit and the handle is below the pickup box cover (Backflip) so I do not understand the comment from Cat320.

Lots of "chucking" on bad roads. Used on a 2010 Ford 350 dually pulling a Fuzion 398 Touring Edition II.

It is my first 5th wheel hitch so I am not experienced or maybe asking for too much.

Don

[djkarau]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Half Dimes You mention the 18K hitch. Not sure about the price differential but why not get the 25K hitch to allow for 'future expansion'.

As I have the 6'9" box, the advantage of going with a 18K unit is that you can now purchase a slider version...not from Ford...but rather from any aftermarket Reese dealer.

[Cat320]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dverna I have the 25k unit and the handle is below the pickup box cover (Backflip) so I do not understand the comment from Cat320. Don

Not much to add to my initial post. Some Reese hitch handles, when locked, point up, not down. Therefore a tonneau cover cannot be used to cover the bed when not towing. Apparently yours pointed down...which, IMHO, they all should do.

[mhs4771]

On my Reese, the handle is held in with a Snap Pin, I just pulled the pin, rotated the handle 180 degrees and it now points down, so it doesn't bother the Toneau Cover.

[dverna]

On the 25k Elite I have the handle does not rotate. It slides side ways and is held back by a detent. It is not a great design. The detent would not engage as the notch looked to be off center on my first head and was replaced. I fear it will act up again but have figured out how to fix it if it does.

Don

[W4RLR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat320 When I was shopping for a hitch, I ruled Reese out because many of their handles stick up in the air. I had a tonneau cover that I would not be able to use (and hide my hitch) with that handle in the air.

I just flipped the handle. It works.