Rookie F'ver needs 5th wheel hitch recommendations

[Larry Mac01]

I'm looking for the a hitch that is the one of the best/or the best and that is the easiest to use. Plus the spotter is my wife who knows-- well a lot less than me. So I don't mind paying a little more as I'm going to be a rookie at trailering a fifth wheel and need all the help we can get. Maybe even one that is a bit forgiving if that makes sense.
Does it matter if it's rated a lot more than your trailer or will that cause issues?
Plus, where can you practice-- parking, trailering, hitching, unhitching etc?
Finally, I was watching you tube vids on how to hook up a fifth wheel and saw this.
What is this on top of the pin box?
Looks like a level of some kind? I assume it's some kind of aid. What is it called? Speaking of that, are there any other helpful tools to aid in a successful hitch. Thanks-- I'm sure I will be back with many --what appear like-- silly questions.

[MtnTrek]

Hi Welcome,


You didn't mention your Tow vehicle? Many of us prefer the type of hitch that will fit into/on our frame mounted "puck systems". Hitch brands are somewhat a personal preference I won't weigh in on as others might, just like there are no bad trucks lol.


Many users tend to upgrade trailers at some point, so to prevent a retrofit down the road get the hitch that exceeds your tow vehicles towing capacity slightly.


That inclinometer (pictured) allows you to visualize how level you are from side to side while you are still connected. Depending on your trailer's leveling system, or lack there of, you could insert leveling blocks under your tire(s) and landing gear.


Practice anywhere there is ample space and conditions are safe. Several traffic safety cones are great for creating challenging scenarios.


Hooking up: A cone placed in the rear center of your bed once you drop the tailgate will enable you to nail the king pin every time...


Tip: Paint the rear of your king pin and hitch jaw(s) for a quick visual check, and never high pin.


Two way radios are a big plus, in all situations! Practice some common vocal terms and hand signals that mean something to both you and your spotter. Teach your spotter to be able to see the drivers face in their truck mirrors.


Examples: jack the trailer, go neutral, chase the trailer, passenger side, drivers side. Finger in a circle to roll, clinched fist for stop. Etc. Etc.


Practice makes perfect, Happy trails.

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by MtnTrek

Hi Welcome,


You didn't mention your Tow vehicle? Many of us prefer the type of hitch that will fit into/on our frame mounted "puck systems". Hitch brands are somewhat a personal preference I won't weigh in on as others might, just like there are no bad trucks lol.


Many users tend to upgrade trailers at some point, so to prevent a retrofit down the road get the hitch that exceeds your tow vehicles towing capacity slightly.


That inclinometer (pictured) allows you to visualize how level you are from side to side while you are still connected. Depending on your trailer's leveling system, or lack there of, you could insert leveling blocks under your tire(s) and landing gear.


Practice anywhere there is ample space and conditions are safe. Several traffic safety cones are great for creating challenging scenarios.


Hooking up: A cone placed in the rear center of your bed once you drop the tailgate will enable you to nail the king pin every time...


Tip: Paint the rear of your king pin and hitch jaw(s) for a quick visual check, and never high pin.


Two way radios are a big plus, in all situations! Practice some common vocal terms and hand signals that mean something to both you and your spotter. Teach your spotter to be able to see the drivers face in their truck mirrors.


Examples: jack the trailer, go neutral, chase the trailer, passenger side, drivers side. Finger in a circle to roll, clinched fist for stop. Etc. Etc.


Practice makes perfect, Happy trails.

Forget the useless BIG "level" if being level is important to you.

Stick to any of the high quality US Made B&W products, simple solid construction and NO question if you are hitched.

FYI

REESE is Chinese/Mexican Made.

Curt is Chinese Made.

Above applies to 5er hitches.

[birddog2you]

If you have a short bed TV don't waste your time or money get a good American made slider and never worry about hitting your cab. Agree with a heavier hitch if you plan on going bigger later on.

[Larry Mac01]

Originally Posted by MtnTrek

Hi Welcome,


You didn't mention your Tow vehicle? Many of us prefer the type of hitch that will fit into/on our frame mounted "puck systems". Hitch brands are somewhat a personal preference I won't weigh in on as others might, just like there are no bad trucks lol.


Many users tend to upgrade trailers at some point, so to prevent a retrofit down the road get the hitch that exceeds your tow vehicles towing capacity slightly.


That inclinometer (pictured) allows you to visualize how level you are from side to side while you are still connected. Depending on your trailer's leveling system, or lack there of, you could insert leveling blocks under your tire(s) and landing gear.


Practice anywhere there is ample space and conditions are safe. Several traffic safety cones are great for creating challenging scenarios.


Hooking up: A cone placed in the rear center of your bed once you drop the tailgate will enable you to nail the king pin every time...


Tip: Paint the rear of your king pin and hitch jaw(s) for a quick visual check, and never high pin.


Two way radios are a big plus, in all situations! Practice some common vocal terms and hand signals that mean something to both you and your spotter. Teach your spotter to be able to see the drivers face in their truck mirrors.


Examples: jack the trailer, go neutral, chase the trailer, passenger side, drivers side. Finger in a circle to roll, clinched fist for stop. Etc. Etc.


Practice makes perfect, Happy trails.

Thank you. TV will be a Dodge Ram 3500 DW

[DJNCJ]

Short or long bed? Factory puck system in place or not? Goose Neck in place or not? How heavy a trailer do you/will you have?

[Larry Mac01]

Originally Posted by DJNCJ

Short or long bed? Factory puck system in place or not? Goose Neck in place or not? How heavy a trailer do you/will you have?

The one I'm looking at has long bed.
Puck system in place. Trailer I want( wife may have final say LOL) max at 16k.

Might get a much better deal with truck on short bed. Not sure puck system in place.

What would you recommend in each case?

[DJNCJ]

Originally Posted by Larry Mac01

The one I'm looking at has long bed.
Puck system in place. Trailer I want( wife may have final say LOL) max at 16k.

Might get a much better deal with truck on short bed. Not sure puck system in place.

What would you recommend in each case?

Long bed opens up all options to you regarding hitchs and trailers.

Short bed will bring a little more homework for you in the decision process. Not all new 5ers give you good short bed cab clearence. Grand design comes to mind. While I have no personal experience, I have heard they are not great. I have a short bed Ram and a 16k gvw Cedar Creek using the Andersen Ultimate Aluminum II and it is fantastic in all areas. All I have ed is a GN hitch and I can pill my 5'er. If you get the SB I suggest you look into the B&W Turnover GN hitch and then consider the B&W hitches (Companion & Companion slider) as well as Andersen. You could also look into automatic sliders. After a while your head will spin!!! I liked the light weight Andersen.

HTH

[Larry Mac01]

Thanks again.
Head is spinning already. What would suggest with a long bed Ram?
Also
Couple typos in your post not sure what you meant-- "All I have Ed is a GN hitch." I thought you already said you had an Andetsen Ultimate Aluminum Il?

[edrayman]

BD3 TrailerSaver is the best hitch I have owned.

http://www.trailersaver.com/product/...h-wheel-hitch/

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by Larry Mac01

Thank you. TV will be a Dodge Ram 3500 DW

No question this is for you. I tow a 23K MobileSuites and there is ZERO pops moans groans or rattles.

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by edrayman

BD3 TrailerSaver is the best hitch I have owned.

BD3 Air-Ride 5th Wheel Hitch - Trailer Saver

Foa an air ride hitch I agree they are tops. What I don't like is you have to use a picture frame adapter with them. They need to step up and make them fit the RAM puck system. I have the TrailAire air bag kingpin and the ride is great with the B&W pictured above.

[DJNCJ]

Originally Posted by Larry Mac01

Thanks again.
Head is spinning already. What would suggest with a long bed Ram?
Also
Couple typos in your post not sure what you meant-- "All I have Ed is a GN hitch." I thought you already said you had an Andetsen Ultimate Aluminum Il?

Sorry if I was unclear and the typo! The Andersen hitch requires a GN ball to attach to in the bed and not the outer 4 connection points included with the factory puck system. I installed the B&W GN hitch because my truck did not come with the factory system. If you buy the long bed and it has the factory system you would just need the GN ball and the Andersen hitch to be ready to tow.

If interested in the heavier conventional type hitches I would likely choose the above pictured B&W setup that drops right into the Ram factory frame.

This is what my "ready for trip" setup looks like:


And this is 5 minutes later:

[Larry Mac01]

Originally Posted by DJNCJ

Sorry if I was unclear and the typo! The Andersen hitch requires a GN ball to attach to in the bed and not the outer 4 connection points included with the factory puck system. I installed the B&W GN hitch because my truck did not come with the factory system. If you buy the long bed and it has the factory system you would just need the GN ball and the Andersen hitch to be ready to tow.



If interested in the heavier conventional type hitches I would likely choose the above pictured B&W setup that drops right into the Ram factory frame.



This is what my "ready for trip" setup looks like:





And this is 5 minutes later:

Love your truck bed. Do you create that? Indoor outdoor carpet. How does that survive the sun, rain and sun again?
Btw, I see the GN ball, how does it turn into a 5th wheel receiver?