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01-07-2025, 12:02 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 153
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Hitch for 5th wheel
I just bought a 40ft Brinkly toy hauler (GVW 22,500 lbs.), which I will be towing with a Ford F350 Dually truck.
I have driven an 43ft. Class A for 5 yrs., but have not pulled a 5th wheel yet.
My question is about the hitch that I need to get for the bed of the truck.
I'm looking for info on the best hitch to get for this combination of 5th wheel and truck. There are many types and makes out there, but I would like to hear real world advice based on actual experience from the members.
Other questions:
1. I am handy with tools, but would it be worth the savings to just purchase the hitch and install it myself?
2. Where would be the best place to buy and/or install a hitch? I am in South Florida.
Thank you
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01-07-2025, 12:13 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 28,351
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What year is the F350?
Does it have a 'puck system' in bed of truck for 5th wheel hitch?
no previous hitch.............??
__________________
I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
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01-07-2025, 12:24 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Washington
Posts: 9
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TrailerSaver
I just purchased the TrailerSaver BD5 that fits the Ford puck system in my F450. All I need to do is insert it into those pucks, lock it down and am good to go. I had mine delivered and just slid it off the truck and into the bed of my truck. Now I just need to move it off the pallet and into the pucks.
BTW: here are the specs for the BD5 - BD5: 28,000 lb. max- Gross Trailer weight Rating and 5000 lb. max pin weight.
Hope this helps.
__________________
Ken & Sonya
2023 Grand Design Momentum 395MS
2024 F450 Platinum
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01-07-2025, 12:24 PM
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#4
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 7,663
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You have the option of a kingpin or gooseneck hitch. My experience has been with kingpin hitches (Reese, Pull-Rite, Curt and B&W) and you can install yourself especially if you have a 5th wheel bed prep package on your truck. You can either purchase these from a dealer or on-line. I currently have a 25K B&W Companion hitch with a 6250 lbs vertical load for a Ford Super Duty prep package.
__________________
2025 Riverstone 39RKFB Legacy / 2024 Ford F-350 XLT DRW 4x4 6.7L diesel crew cab long bed
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01-07-2025, 12:24 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 153
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit
What year is the F350?
Does it have a 'puck system' in bed of truck for 5th wheel hitch?
no previous hitch.............??
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The F350 is a 2020 diesel truck and it never had a hitch.
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01-07-2025, 01:28 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2023
Posts: 785
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Quote:
Originally Posted by traveller333
The F350 is a 2020 diesel truck and it never had a hitch.
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This is the one you need, if you have the underbed factory puck system, with plugs in the bed.
25K B&W Companion hitch with a 6250 lbs vertical load for a Ford Super Duty prep package.
You can look at, read about, and purchase, from E-trailer. Great price, and fast delivery.
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01-07-2025, 01:56 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 153
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Camp CA
You have the option of a kingpin or gooseneck hitch. My experience has been with kingpin hitches (Reese, Pull-Rite, Curt and B&W) and you can install yourself especially if you have a 5th wheel bed prep package on your truck. You can either purchase these from a dealer or on-line. I currently have a 25K B&W Companion hitch with a 6250 lbs vertical load for a Ford Super Duty prep package.
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Other than the available space in the truck bed, are there specific advantages of a kingpin or a gooseneck?
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01-07-2025, 09:27 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 339
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Don't fool around , get an airride hitch such as AirRide ( has 4 bags , what I use) or a BD5. you will never regret this purchase and mucho better on the RV & You over solid hitchs. you've done spent a small fortune on the RV don't scrimp now  . All the air ride Mfg's have both standard rail & puck versions. If you sneak up on a really good used one there are adapters to use a rail version with pucks.
GenY has the only pinbox goose ball set up for a 22K gvwr rv at the moment but supposedly Reese is going to release a heavy weight Goosebox , when is the big question.
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01-07-2025, 09:43 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 1,078
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You are going to deal with install/removal at some point, so it doesn't matter a whole lot regarding dealer install. If it is going to be installed once and left there for the duration, a dealer install would be good. Trailersaver is factory direct so a dealer may not be in the cards.
Both B&W and Trailer Saver hitches are high quality American made hitches. The B&W has advantages in that it breaks down for easier removal and has adjustments built in for height and bed position, plus it is less money.
You asked for the "best" which, in my opinion, is the Trailer Saver. Two models would work well for your trailer, the TS3 and the BD5-F. The TS3 will need a Demco adapter plate to fit your puck system which is another $650. These hitches will offer distinct advantages over other hitches in terms of gear protection, comfort, fatigue reduction, and safety. Based on the weight of your trailer, I'm thinking BD5-F due to the extra air bags and shocks.
I moved from a B&W hitch to a TS3 and can report there was no comparison in terms of tow/ride quality. I won't go back. Enjoy that new trailer.
__________________
2004.5 Ram 3500 2WD DRW
2008 Carriage, tows at 10k#
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01-07-2025, 10:08 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2024
Posts: 144
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B&W hands down. No rattles high quality and made in USA. You don't mention the year of your F350 but the newer trucks with the puck system work great. Like was mentioned the head comes off for service or replacement.
I have owned 2.
Mark
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01-08-2025, 01:50 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 782
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I would say the B&W Companion is an excellent hitch and good enough for me, but, a BD5 is probably better. You can also go with a solid hitch like the B&W which is a little lighter than something like the BD5 and then get an air ride pin box for the fiver if you think you want a smoother ride. I would get the under bed puck system installed on your truck if it doesn't already have it. Its a very easy install and makes dropping the hitch in a piece of cake.
__________________
2008 Citation 34.5 CKTS /2023 F350 HO Powerstroke
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01-08-2025, 06:42 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 339
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1960C182
Don't fool around , get an airride hitch such as AirRide ( has 4 bags , what I use) or a BD5. .
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I meant " AirSafe " is the brand I use  . I had been sitting at the hospital for 2 days and just about asleep while typing last night.
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01-09-2025, 11:24 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: DFW
Posts: 610
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I like the B&W slider I have. I dont use the sliding feature but the hitch is solid and very well built. it fits the factory pucks on my truck and it tows smooth. the hitch is adjustable for ht. and forward or back positioning. it is heavy tho and I use a small hoist hooked to a D ring in my garage to take it out and put back in. it breaks down in two pieces but they are still heavy for an old guy like me.
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