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Old 12-17-2017, 10:47 AM   #1
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Factors in choosing a 5th Wheel hitch

Hi Everyone. I am moving up to a new truck and 5th wheel camper. I have decided on a 2017 Ford F350 XLT Crew cab, Long bed 4:30 gasser. The truck has the 5th wheel hitch prep. The trailer will be a 2017 Sabre 27RLT (max loaded weight about 11,500).

What is new to me is what I should be looking for in the hitch to put in the bed. Are there any must haves I should be aware of? Any brands preferred over others? Any models that would be recommended?

Thanks!
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Old 12-17-2017, 11:10 AM   #2
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I would suggest looking at the B&W Companion. It can be easy to breakdown for removal and installation when you need your truck bed. I can do it by myself.
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Old 12-17-2017, 11:23 AM   #3
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The major brands are pretty good. If getting another one I’d make sure the top mechanism will “float” or swivel enough so it can be hooked/unhooked in non-level spots so you don’t have any binding. I also always liked using a pin box extension on the trailer to help give myself extra turning space in tight maneuvers.
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Old 12-17-2017, 11:35 AM   #4
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The B&W hitch is highly regarded, I'm a big fan of the Andersen Ultimate 5th wheel hitch for smooth towing, no chucking, no clunking, capacity and ease of installation.
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Old 12-17-2017, 12:12 PM   #5
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Since you have a long bed, any standard hitch will do! Do some research and then go look at a few. I like the newer hitches that have positive kingpin lock indicators. Since you just need a standard hitch (no slider), most come apart into two pieces for easy removal. Also look at replacing your kingpin with a type of air ride kingpin. Well worth it! Good luck.
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Old 12-17-2017, 01:02 PM   #6
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If possible check the kingpin height compared to your truck height. this limited me on what hitches were available. I needed a hitch that was 14" from the truck bed. if you dont want to worry about this you can lift the trailer. I didnt want to do that.

as for hitches. full wrap around jaws, fully articulating cushioned head. I really liked the B & W when I was looking but it wouldnt drop down low enough and the thought of putting a 3" lift on the trailer didnt make sense
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Old 12-17-2017, 01:17 PM   #7
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Does this help?

http://learntorv.com/hitch-options-f...r-fifth-wheel/

And agreed on the B&W fifth wheel hitch. Awesome company, awesome hitch. Heck to the yes.
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Old 12-17-2017, 01:34 PM   #8
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I believe the newer "ball & socket" style are the safest and best design overall. The are quiet, cleaner , lighter to handle, have a greater range of motion and very secure.
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Old 12-17-2017, 01:46 PM   #9
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As others have said there are many hitches out there. Not all will drop into the Ford puck system and will need an adapter that will raise the hitch height. This can cause problems resulting in a nose high RV. The BW Companion does as well as Demco, and the Anderson Ulitmate. Also remember with the Ford Puck System you are limited to 18,000 lbs so getting a hitch over that weight is wasting money.

I know this will get some rebuttal but, I am very preferential on a hitch that completely wraps around the pin, I do not care for the jaw type of lock.

As NMWildcat has said do your research am sure you will get one that meets your needs.
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Old 12-17-2017, 01:54 PM   #10
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We chose a rear kitchen and we love it, however pack everything very well including the fridge because if you hit a bump everything launches, we broke a crock pot and an electric grill and have huge messes in the fridge.
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Old 12-17-2017, 03:17 PM   #11
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Nigels it happens to the best of us, the way the road are especially at over passes
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Old 12-17-2017, 03:53 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich5117 View Post
As others have said there are many hitches out there. Not all will drop into the Ford puck system and will need an adapter that will raise the hitch height. This can cause problems resulting in a nose high RV. The BW Companion does as well as Demco, and the Anderson Ulitmate. Also remember with the Ford Puck System you are limited to 18,000 lbs so getting a hitch over that weight is wasting money.
I have the Andersen Ultimate and have no adapter or any rise in height. Just hooks to the ball in the bed. I also have a 2017 F350 8 foot truck. AU is a great hitch that I have used for three seasons and would not trade for any other hitch. Good luck on your purchase.
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Old 12-17-2017, 04:31 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by Cypressloser View Post
The B&W hitch is highly regarded, I'm a big fan of the Andersen Ultimate 5th wheel hitch for smooth towing, no chucking, no clunking, capacity and ease of installation.
X2 on the Andersen I would never go back to the old style.
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Old 12-17-2017, 04:47 PM   #14
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Get the Reese 18K hitch that comes from Ford with your prep kit. I have one for 3 years with a 2015 F250 long bed 6.2 430 gears. Super cab with no problems. My FW is a Cedar Creek 34RE, about 15000 LBS.
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Old 12-17-2017, 04:54 PM   #15
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I have a Curt E-16 and it is a great value. Works every time. I have not herd of any failures but I did run across this photo on a google search.
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Old 12-17-2017, 04:59 PM   #16
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I, too, have the factory prep system for my hitch, which is a Demco Hijacker.

I am pulling a saber 31 BK OK and it rides like a dream with my 2015 F350. I can pretty much turn 90° but like was said previously, make sure that you are a no more than a 15° angle when releasing the hitch pin while uncoupling.

I am thinking of selling my Demco and installing the Anderson ultimate hitch if you know of anyone interested. My only beef with the Demco is its weight and the difficulty of lifting it in and out of the back of my truck. Maybe I’ll just go to Harbor freight and get one of those crane type devices for lifting it out of the back of the truck. I hope you enjoy your new TV and fiver as much as we have enjoyed ours. Happy camping!
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Old 12-17-2017, 05:12 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by FrankG View Post
I have a Curt E-16 and it is a great value. Works every time. I have not herd of any failures but I did run across this photo on a google search.
I've seen this too, but there is no plausible explanation anywhere suggesting what actually happened. It doesn't look like the Andersen hitch simply collapsed, to my uneducated eyes it looks more like the trailer got hung up solidly while making a sharp turn. I had my Andersen since 2013 and towed trailers in the 19,000 lbs - 21,000 lbs range.
I've seen standard 5th wheel hitches that were bent too, so unless someone knows what happened here and explains it I take it with a grain of salt.
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Old 12-17-2017, 05:16 PM   #18
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How what or where can I go to read about the Ford puck system only supporting 18k. Sounds odd, but if you can send me to the source I would like reading this.

I think the OP will be fine for what he was shopping for...
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Old 12-17-2017, 05:37 PM   #19
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Curt sells a 25K hitch for the Ford Puck System. I am not so sure about the 18K limit..
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Old 12-17-2017, 05:46 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cypressloser View Post
I've seen this too, but there is no plausible explanation anywhere suggesting what actually happened. It doesn't look like the Andersen hitch simply collapsed, to my uneducated eyes it looks more like the trailer got hung up solidly while making a sharp turn. I had my Andersen since 2013 and towed trailers in the 19,000 lbs - 21,000 lbs range.
I've seen standard 5th wheel hitches that were bent too, so unless someone knows what happened here and explains it I take it with a grain of salt.
I tend to agree with you that there are circumstances that caused the failure. We will probably never know the whole truth.

I was actually trying to turn the responses from "because I own one it has to be the best" to some actual build/quality/flexibility data that supports the notion of a superior hitch.

The hitch I have, a curt E-16 is a workable hitch, does it hold the pin tight, no. Is it safe to use, I hope so. Am I thinking of replacing it, yes. Why, Less clunking, better jaws. Which hitches give the best initial lock-up... No dropped 5th wheels. Which hitch his gives the best visual indicator of a secure lock-up? The list goes on.
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