Need hitch advice for 5'er

CatWoman1121 · 03-26-2011, 06:54 PM

I bought my tow vehicle two weeks ago - 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 quad cab, long bed, 4wd, dually, turbo diesel. Rated to tow up to 16,700 lbs.

Does anyone have recommendations for 5'er hitch and possible accessories? I will be towing 36' to 40' 5'er and going full time. Also, I have read on more than one website that if you buy the custom installation kit specifically for your vehicle these can be installed at home, not done by mechanic. Assuming I had a mechanically-inclined person install this, is this a viable/safe option?

Any items I need to watch out for - bad ratings, etc - safety issues/flaws...

All input and advice appreciated.

Ray,IN · 03-26-2011, 07:37 PM

There are several factors to consider for your specific requirements. Do you want a clean flat truck-bed when the hitch is removed? Do you want the most comfortable hitch for towing? What is your expectations for hitch cost? You really do get what you pay for, a basic hitch new is near $1K, http://www.reeseprod.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=3&parentid=1700&catid=1775∂=3014 3 is perhaps the best known and purchesed. Air-ride hitches are over $2K to near #3K. Air Ride Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitches for Reese Rails... is just one air-ride 5er hitch.
Any hitch marketed today is reliable and safe, when properly matched to the maximum weight of the load, 5er.
.

mhs4771 · 03-26-2011, 08:24 PM

Sherri, for the size of 5er you're thinking of, I don't think I would go for any smaller than a 20K or 22K. You have the TV so don't skimp on the hitch. You have a long bed, do you don't have to worry about a slider. You just need to pick a good heavy duty hitch. As to the Custom brackets, I had the Reese brackets installed. Probably could have done it with a little help, but I preferred to have someone who installs them for a living install them. Nice thing about the custom brackets, at least for my GM, did not require any drilling of the frame, matched up with holes already in the frame. Just for reference I have a Reese Select 20K, head pivots in all four directions. Best wishes in your future endevor.

KTM Guy · 03-26-2011, 11:42 PM

I installed my SuperGlide hitch myself. It took most of a day. Just measure twice and cut once. The freaky part is boring the holes through your pickup bed. You really want those to be right!

CatWoman1121 · 03-27-2011, 12:24 PM

Ray -

Thanks - I see that the Reese hitches seem to be quite popular.

CatWoman1121 · 03-27-2011, 12:25 PM

mhs - Thanks. I had pretty much determined I wanted the 20k rated hitch but a few have said I'd be okay with the 16k. I would rather have too much than not enough!

If I buy the custom installation kit it would require no cutting through the truck bed - or that is how it is advertised - as holes are already drilled to match holes already in the truck bed.

Have to get the hitch first..LOL

mhs4771 · 03-27-2011, 07:01 PM

Sherri, I don't know about Dodge, but on my GM no holes were required in the Frame, but holes had to be drilled thru the box bed to mount the hitch rails thru the box to the custom frame brakets.

CatWoman1121 · 03-28-2011, 06:21 AM

Okay. I think I found a place that will install the hitch for a reasonable price. Thank you for all the input.

Cat320 · 03-28-2011, 10:24 AM

A few other thoughts:

- If you have a tonneau cover, find a hitch where the handle folds down (or comes off), otherwise the cover will not work.

- If you are going to remove it, be sure it either comes out in two pieces or you have a means to get it out...they are heavy.