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Old 01-25-2025, 11:15 PM   #1
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5th Wheel Hitch

Good Evening All,
Currently have a Rockwood TT and we are looking to trade up to either a Brinkley 3100 or E-W Tandara 320RL.
Any suggestions on the best Hitch for my truck - it is a short bed and am concerned about the angles.
Also any suggestions on towing. I am a little concerned about the extra length - honestly never towed anything that size before.
Appreciate any help here.
Thanks
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Old 01-25-2025, 11:35 PM   #2
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B&W gets my recommendation.
Great adjustability very solid.
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Old 01-26-2025, 06:18 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Servman3 View Post
Good Evening All,
Currently have a Rockwood TT and we are looking to trade up to either a Brinkley 3100 or E-W Tandara 320RL.
Any suggestions on the best Hitch for my truck - it is a short bed and am concerned about the angles.
Also any suggestions on towing. I am a little concerned about the extra length - honestly never towed anything that size before.
Appreciate any help here.
Thanks
Short bed, use a slider hitch, eases your concerns while backing.
You will find a longer trailer is easier to back. As far as driving, give yourself move room to turn. Go further out into the intersection before turning, square your turns.
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Old 01-26-2025, 07:01 AM   #4
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With todays new gen 5th wheel trailers many have rounded/notched front corners made for short bed trucks.
GM trucks have the longest C/A dimension (back of cab to the trucks rear axle) which can eliminate the need for a slider.

And of course locating the hitch in bed so the trailer pin sit zero over the trucks rear axle adds more clearance. Some short bed owners messed up and had their hitch located 3"-4" forward of the trucks rear axle.

Or do as some have done and get the holy grail Pullrite Superglide that has the auto slide system and forget truck cab/5th wheel trailer contact.

Having owned three different rv type 5th wheel hitch brands I found their are several excellent hitch brands out here for rv use.
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Old 01-26-2025, 07:08 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by R.M.A View Post
B&W gets my recommendation.
Great adjustability very solid.
Agree with B&W being a great choice!

You need to tell us what truck you have, as to hitch fit/ need for a slider.

New/newer FWs are designed to be towed with standard bed trucks. Ram trucks have the shortest distance, from R/A center to back of cab.

If your truck has the factory FW prep kit installed (puck system), that will make a difference too, when choosing the best hitch for your use.
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Old 01-26-2025, 10:20 PM   #6
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You did not say what weight truck you have and I can't advise on a hitch as I tow my Brinkley Z3100 with a long bed 3500 using a gooseneck and ball.
I do know that they have a fairly heavy pin weight, as mine loaded for a trip weighs 3,200 lbs. It will pretty much max out most 3/4 ton trucks, although some people use them with a Z3100. Don't know anything about the E-W.
Just something to consider. I like the Z3100 and think it is good.
Thanks,
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Old 01-27-2025, 07:59 AM   #7
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We have a PullRite SuperGlide automatic sliding hitch for sale here in the classifieds.
Thank you
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Old 01-27-2025, 08:32 AM   #8
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Thanks for the info - is the Brinkley worth the extra money, please?

Being new to 5th wheels, I was under the impression that the advantage to towing a 5th wheel was the stability that the platform of the hitch provides - is that not the case? I have seen Brinkley recommend the new GenY Gooseneck so hence my curiosity.
Thanks Ron
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Old 01-27-2025, 08:38 AM   #9
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Thanks and sorry about that, thought the signature would show.
I have a 2024 GMC Denali HD (3500 w/6.6L Turbo Diesel)
Crew Cab Short Bed
Factory installed plates and ball.
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Old 01-27-2025, 08:38 AM   #10
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Thanks and sorry about that, thought the signature would show.
I have a 2024 GMC Denali HD (3500 w/6.6L Turbo Diesel)
Crew Cab Short Bed
Factory installed plates and ball.
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Old 01-27-2025, 09:44 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Servman3 View Post
Thanks for the info - is the Brinkley worth the extra money, please?

Being new to 5th wheels, I was under the impression that the advantage to towing a 5th wheel was the stability that the platform of the hitch provides - is that not the case? I have seen Brinkley recommend the new GenY Gooseneck so hence my curiosity.
Thanks Ron

I have a Z3100, I tow with an F350 LB and a GenY hitch.


IMO, Z3100 is a great 5th wheel for its price range. I've owned mine for 8 months, put about 10k miles of towing and perhaps 3 months of use over that time. Its my 3rd RV (class B, RPOD TT being the first two) and I'm very satisfied with it.


My towing experience vs a bumper pull is much better, its more stable especially noticeable with respect to cross winds. Using a goose-neck adapter such as the Gen Y does not reduce the stability, that comes from the tongue weight being directly over the rear axle of the tow vehicle, which it still is when using a goose-neck adapter.


I prefer the goose-neck because the ball weighs about 5 lbs and is easily removed when not towing, giving the full bed back for use. You can find good videos on YouTube for Gooseneck vs standard 5th wheel hitch.
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Old 01-27-2025, 09:57 AM   #12
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We have a 2020 Ram 3500 short box TD. I searched for hitches and finally settled on a Demco Auto Slide fifth wheel hitch. I know that sooner or later I am going to have to back up or turn short in traffic and I will forget to release a manual slider and boom, cab damage. I just added a GenY hitch to the camper after tossing the Rotaflex.
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Old 01-27-2025, 10:18 AM   #13
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We have a 2020 Ram 3500 short box TD. I searched for hitches and finally settled on a Demco Auto Slide fifth wheel hitch. I know that sooner or later I am going to have to back up or turn short in traffic and I will forget to release a manual slider and boom, cab damage. I just added a GenY hitch to the camper after tossing the Rotaflex.
X2 on the Demco Auto Slide hitch. I have had mine now for 5years works great every time I pull the 5er.
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Old 01-27-2025, 11:12 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by Servman3 View Post
Thanks and sorry about that, thought the signature would show.
I have a 2024 GMC Denali HD (3500 w/6.6L Turbo Diesel)
Crew Cab Short Bed
Factory installed plates and ball.
Take a look at the B&W 3710 at E-trailer (watch the video). It is easy in/out, as it quickly separates to 2 pieces. It is adjustable up/down, and ahead back, so cab clearance mostly a non-issue with a modern FW designed for standard 6.5 bed towing. GM has the most clearance of the HD truck brands, axle center, to back of cab.
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