First 5th Wheel - Rookie tow questions

[itat]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Are you sure about this statement?
I didn't think you could use the Revolution feature with any Anderson Ultimate type hitch??

How would you lock the trailer ball to the pin adapter to keep it from turning?

5picker, looks like I had a brain fart with that one. You can only use the Andersen Ultimate hitch with a Reese Revolution/Sidewinder if you have the lockout bolts installed. That's because there's no way to use a wedge like you would with a traditional 5th wheel hitch to prevent the coupler from swinging at the ball. So it effectively eliminates the benefit of the Revolution pinbox.

So you can use either the gooseneck version or the rail mounted version provided you have the lockout bolts in.

I stand corrected. Thanks for catching that.

If you have a short bed (i.e. 6.5' bed, not 5.5' bed) the Andersen moves the ball back a few inches and you can get an extender to move the gooseneck ball in the bed back a few more inches, but you have to be cautious of how far you move the pin back so that you don't end up with the pinbox contacting the bed walls or tailgate. You can install the coupler facing either forward or back for flexibility. Have a look at these interesting videos on the Andersen Ultimate by FRF member hbillsmith.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gM3yoG4jfI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_Iy4MrNIa8

[itat]

Originally Posted by Lvn2tvl

I'm curious about the comment in this post. I was always under the impression that all 5th wheel pins regardless of the make/model are exactly same and actually are identical to what the semi-trailers use.

I do recall that my adapter was a really tight fit and wouldn't initially go all the way on at first but when I felt the pin on the trailer it had some rust on the sides of it. I scraped the rust off and lightly sanded the pin and the adapter slid right on the pin box pin.

I had only read those complaints recently. I don't know for sure but you'd think there must be an industry standard like SAE or CSA for pin dimensions. It sounds like manufacturers' tolerances to the standard varies enough to make it an issue in some cases. I don't recall ever reading that installing the Andersen Ultimate coupler on a Reese Revolution/Sidewinder pinbox (like on the 8299BS that the OP is looking at) is a problem fit.

[sunnyinfla]

I would suggest putting air bags on the rear of the truck......

[bswanney]

Thanks everyone for your input. It is very important towards our choices. It looks like I may still have some work to do on the hitch. Was looking for the lightest 5th wheel hitch possible is all. Thank you.

[clicker1944]

Then go with the AUH in aluminum, you will not be sorry.

[5picker]

If weight is the ONLY factor, the Anderson is by far the lightest.

Here's another newer player in the hitch market.
It comes apart in three manageable pieces and takes up little footprint.
Can be used with rails or a gooseneck turnover ball in the bed.
Also a 'slider' (they call it articulating) and has some cushioning.
This one peaked my interest at a local R/V show.

Blue Ox Super Ride.

BLUE OX SUPER RIDE

[Brewhedd]

I don't own a 5th wheel but there is one in our future. After researching the Anderson Ultimate, one concern that is raised is the position of the "receiver" (meaning where the ball attaches to the 5th wheel). The Anderson effectively moves the connection point to the 5th wheel 4" forward. The concern is how this change affects the stresses put on the front frame of the 5th wheel. Another company, Pullrite, makes a setup similar to the Anderson except the attachment point is moved back not forward. You may want to take a look. Also, I would check with FR to get their position on using either.

[NMWildcat]

😁😁😁