fifth wheel hitch question

[Relder]

I'm in the process of purchasing a 2020 Rockwood ultra lite 2650ws fifth wheel, to be pulled by my f-350 6.7. My thought is installing a B&W turnover ball gooseneck hitch with a Anderson 3220 gooseneck 2 connection version. My reason is that i'm over 70 and not as agile and strong as when I was younger. I don't have ready available help to move the heavier hitches so going with the Anderson hitch seems like a reasonable choice. Any and all feedback is appreciated.

[HDGoose]

I set up a chain fall to lift my hitch out of my truck. Then it gets put on the wheeled cart and put in a corner of the garage.

[ependydad]

I’ve had a B&W Companion for almost 6 years. I upgraded campers to one that was higher than my B&W was rated for and got an Andersen Ultimate.

I had the Andersen for 4 months.

It was more difficult to hitch up and the ride for my truck/trailer combination was terrible. It hurt my wife’s back to the point she was in tears on back to back drive days.

I ended up with a stupidly expensive and obnoxiously heavy TrailerSaver TS3. I just leave that one hanging from the kingpin the times that I needed it out of the truck bed.

I would go back to a B&W Companion in a heartbeat. It comes out of the truck bed in 2 pieces. They’re manageable but the base is a bit awkward.

[Relder]

Thanks for your reply, I've thought of that but I don't have any free space in my garage.

[Relder]

Thanks for the reply, my garage storage space is very limited but I could hang the Anderson hitch on the wall being that it only weighs 35 lbs. I guess my real concern is safety and reliability. Literature says it can handle 16K lbs and a tongue weight of 4500 lbs. The 2650ws will top out around 9k fully loaded with the tongue weight between 1250-1400 lbs so it should handle it?

[itat]

If you go with them Andersen Ultimate 2, just remember to lock out the Turning Point pin box.

[Relder]

The dealer where I'm purchasing the fifth wheel told me the same thing, so thanks.

[Daycruiser]

Originally Posted by Relder

I'm in the process of purchasing a 2020 Rockwood ultra lite 2650ws fifth wheel, to be pulled by my f-350 6.7. My thought is installing a B&W turnover ball gooseneck hitch with a Anderson 3220 gooseneck 2 connection version. My reason is that i'm over 70 and not as agile and strong as when I was younger. I don't have ready available help to move the heavier hitches so going with the Anderson hitch seems like a reasonable choice. Any and all feedback is appreciated.

Do you really want to void your Lippert chassis warranty on a brand new trailer? If you really want to do a Goose Ball then please get a Reese Goose Box pin box instead.

[Oaklevel]

Many threads on this topic .

But I use the tractor that I mow with to lift my Reese hitch in and out of the bed.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Relder

Thanks for your reply, I've thought of that but I don't have any free space in my garage.

Understandable. I always kept mine on a furniture dolly so I could roll it around.

I have a couple of acquaintances who have had their Andersens bend a bit. One was on his second and both bent; he was going to have Andersen send him a third. Another guy got a replacement and promptly sold it and went with a B&W. Of course, there are also the widely publicized failures (one with a Grand Design and another that was absolutely destroyed during an accident).

Like I said, I only used it for about 4 months on my 21k fifth whee with 3,400 pounds of pin weight. I never felt unsafe, though mine did rotate in the bed by an inch or so. I followed the torque procedure identified in the manual. I spoke with other owners who said that they thought you were supposed to retorque the bolts after the weight of the fifth wheel was on the hitch. Seems a nightmare to climb into the truck bed. Andersen sort of did and didn’t confirm that process in email to me. Honestly, I was left more confused by their emails.

BUT- one thing I liked about the Andersen is that if you’re hitched, you’re hitched. There’s no chance of dropping the fifth wheel. If it’s on the ball and even if you forget to lock the pin, I can’t fathom how it would come off the ball.

The need for safety chains is iffy; Andersen says they’re not required but I didn’t want to come across some cop in Bumpkin, Nowhereville and argue it.

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by ependydad

If it’s on the ball and even if you forget to lock the pin, I can’t fathom how it would come off the ball.

I dunno, maybe drive about 70 mph on I-40???

[robbiels7]

I will put my two cents in but reading your post it may not be the best option. I have the Blue ox diamond gooseneck hitch which I personally love! Now because the fact that it is harder to hookup 1 having to hook the chains and the e brake cable. Maby I skipped a head a bit far but my pin box is the Reese goosbox. Which is fantastic in my opinion. I just like having my bed available at any time. That would be the chains and cable for the brakes.
Any how good luck with your decision and safe traveling!

[Relder]

After considering all of the feed backs and reading as much info as I could find I've decided to use the B&W goose ball and the latest version of the Reese pin box. No voided warranty and a clean truck bed when not pulling the fifth wheel.

[robbiels7]

Originally Posted by Relder

After considering all of the feed backs and reading as much info as I could find I've decided to use the B&W goose ball and the latest version of the Reese pin box. No voided warranty and a clean truck bed when not pulling the fifth wheel.

You will like it.

[Telstar]

If you don’t need a slider take a look at Pullrite, they have the lightest 5th wheel hitch. I have a 2018 Ram 3500 short bed so went with the Demco Auto Slide. Weighs over 300 lbs, I’m 75 and only use truck for towing so don’t plan on removing hitch. I’ll get help when it’s time to grease.

[DrLewie]

I have a Reese 18k Elite in my F-250 long bed. I got the "removable" hitch because, like you, I wanted to be able to have a clear bed when not RVing. Worked fine in my 60s, but now that I'm 76 I can't pull it out without more pain than I want. So in it stays.

[Walholler]

I have a long bed Chevrolet(8 ft.), Reese 16K hitch with rails. When I want to remove the hitch from the truck, I removed the four pins that holds the hitch to the rails, raise the front of 5th wheel until the hitch clears the rails and drive out from under it. On installation, it is just the reverse of removing it. Simple procedure, no lifting or straining on my part and does not hurt the trailer hanging there. Some may say that this puts a strain on the trailer, I say that if it can with stand towing a 10,000 lb. load, then it can support 200 or less pounds hanging on it.

[SQROOT]

As far as I have seen on this forum, all have said that any ball hitch requires chains. I believe that it is probably state law in a lot of states.

[CaptnJohn]

Having had a few 5er hitches I finally went to the B&W slider 3 5ers back. Will be using a new F350 dually long bed, but keeping that hitch even though no slider needed.

[56barelm]

I have had two fifth wheels in the past that I’ve used a Reese hitch. This time like you I have gone with Anderson for weight and ease of connection. So far it is definitely the best hitch. It pulls so much better and it is so quiet. It is the easiest to connect. No more slamming the pin onto the hitch plate. You can see it out your back window and back under it then drop the 5th wheel on it.
Good luck with it and enjoy!