Community Forums

Captkenrea · 06-17-2011, 06:54 AM

I am needing a 20,000 LB fifth wheel hitch and looking for advice to best on the market.

I glanced at a Hensley TS3 with air bags. Anybody have experience with that one?

RustyJC · 06-17-2011, 06:59 AM

It would really help if you would detail your specific requirements. For instance:

1. Are you running a short-bed tow vehicle that would require a sliding 5th wheel hitch, or will a fixed position hitch suffice?

2. It appears you're wanting an air-ride hitch, right?

3. Do you have a fixed, air-ride or fore/aft motion compensating (e.g., Mor-Ryde or Glide Rite) pinbox extension on the 5th wheel?

Rusty

Captkenrea · 06-17-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC

It would really help if you would detail your specific requirements. For instance:

1. Are you running a short-bed tow vehicle that would require a sliding 5th wheel hitch, or will a fixed position hitch suffice?

2. It appears you're wanting an air-ride hitch, right?

3. Do you have a fixed, air-ride or fore/aft motion compensating (e.g., Mor-Ryde or Glide Rite) pinbox extension on the 5th wheel?

Rusty

1. I am ordering a RAM 3500 longbox crewcab with MaxTow package so fixed is fine.

2. I am wanting the best hitch I can get both for ride and ease of use. I plan to have airbags installed with suspension and in cab control.

3. My 5th wheel is a 38' King of the Road with Mor-Ryde fore and aft on the pin and Mor-Ryde electric over hydraulic brakes on three axles. Trailer gross is 18,000.

Captkenrea · 07-03-2011, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC

It would really help if you would detail your specific requirements. For instance:

1. Are you running a short-bed tow vehicle that would require a sliding 5th wheel hitch, or will a fixed position hitch suffice?

2. It appears you're wanting an air-ride hitch, right?

3. Do you have a fixed, air-ride or fore/aft motion compensating (e.g., Mor-Ryde or Glide Rite) pinbox extension on the 5th wheel?

Rusty

Rusty, I did as you asked and then you ignored my questions. What give?

RustyJC · 07-03-2011, 07:35 AM

Well, frankly, I haven't responded because I'm not an air hitch user. I was trying to get enough information on the thread for the users of such a hitch to respond.

Personally, I use a B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch in conjunction with the B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch - see HERE. This setup is rated for 18K 5th wheel, 30K gooseneck and yields a clean bed floor when neither hitch is in use. It's a bolt-in for the Dodge (see my signature) and quite durable - when I bought the 2011, I installed a new Turnoverball gooseneck hitch but am still using the Companion 5th wheel hitch that I bought in 2001 for use in my 2002 Ram 3500 dually.

The Companion 5th wheel hitch has both fore-and-aft and side-to-side articulation, has an excellent kingpin locking system and is used by quite a few individuals, but it is NOT an air ride hitch. However, since you already have the Demco Glide-rite pinbox extension (as do I), IMHO an air ride hitch is not a must-have with your truck. If you want an air ride hitch, by all means get one, but the B&W Companion with the Glide-rite pinbox extension provides excellent towing performance.

Maybe some air ride hitch users will chime in now that this thread has been bumped to the top.

Rusty