hitch for 5th wheel

boubou · 06-28-2012, 09:35 PM

what kind of hitch would I need for a 5th wheel on Ram QC 1500? have to decide by tomorrow...
I don't know anything about the types of hitches and application but looking for best option for the 5th wheel. Money does matter but I am willing to spend the $$ to have a safe and easy hitch to use. All I was told is that I need a slider hitch and I can have manual or automatic.
Recommendations anyone?

Cajun Po-Boy · 06-28-2012, 09:49 PM

My 2 cents...

If you want an automatic operation, easy to use and essential maintenance free ( few daps of lubricant through the year), the PullRite Superglide is the way to go. It's going to be the most costly hitch but you'll appreciate it when you encounter a tight turn at a busy gas station or campground and all you have to do is drive and maneuver without getting out of the truck.

The manual sliders have a lot of steps involved to set the hitch for operation, especially not good when you either have people behind you wanting to pass or caught in a heavy rain! Many brands available, just need to find one you can manage and maintain with your liking.

You'll find many people who don't ever use their slider but like having the option if needed...in this case, opt for the manual sliders as they will be less expensive than the automatic.

Good luck .)

Rsgtivr6 · 06-28-2012, 09:51 PM

It depends on the 5'er. Some are designed with short boxes in mind and can be used in a 6.5' bed without a slider hitch. My dad has an '06 Crossroads Cruiser 28RL behind his '11 Sierra Denali HD with the 6.5' bed and doesn't need a slider. Did you find a 5'er under 900lbs pin? Remeber, 5th wheel hitches are a lot heavier than WDH in most cases. A slider can weigh 150-250lbs depending on which one.

fast murray · 06-28-2012, 10:05 PM

I have a QC Ram and use one of those older hitches that has the brackets that mount over the wheelwells. It is not very adjustable and does not move back and forth. I think I could hit the cab with the camper but I pay attention. I've pulled into goofy gas stations while pulling a BBQ pit behind the 5er and have no trouble. If I get a different truck, I'll get a hitch that pivots side to side but I don't care if I have a slider.

boubou · 06-28-2012, 10:22 PM

@ Rsgtivr6, the hitch weighs 1055 lbs wich is pretty close. I think 100 to 300 lbs difference will be ok

as for money, pullrite sounds really nice, I'll mention it tomorrow.
So far, the tech mentioned the Reese super glide??? and he's pricing the manual and automatic glide. I will definitely pick the automatic.
He also mentioned two different type of installs, over and under the bed? I don't know what this means....
I'd rather be scaling teeth (my profession) than thinking about all of this, so, I am thankful for all of your help!

Rsgtivr6 · 06-28-2012, 10:54 PM

Over the bed is a bolt on top rails, but when hitch is removed, you still have rails on top. Under is bolted underneath the bed to the frame w/holes drilled through the bed and generaly allows for a cleaner bed when hitch is removed since the rails are underneath.

boubou · 06-28-2012, 11:01 PM

if I don't plan to remove hitch, does over or under the bed make a difference?
which is better in your opinion?
would both stand at about the same height into the bed?
I plan on closing the tonneau cover when not towing

Rsgtivr6 · 06-28-2012, 11:10 PM

I can't really weigh in on that too much, but my dad's neighbor has his mounted above and can still close a tonneau of need be. It's a Reese non-slider in a 2008 Chev 2500 HD CCSB. Not sure what specific one though.

camper_Lucy · 06-29-2012, 07:40 AM

IMO Pullrite is the best option as the the jaw swings around the pin and it is very easy to verify that the hookup is correct and it will not fail. vs clamping jaws style hitches. I did not need a slider but I have never heard anything bad about the Pullrite slider and a lot of members here use it. In addition you can setup the Pullrite so that the hitch and rails remove so you get a completely clean bed if you need to remove it to haul something in your truck bed.

Len & Cheri · 06-29-2012, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boubou

what kind of hitch would I need for a 5th wheel on Ram QC 1500? have to decide by tomorrow...
I don't know anything about the types of hitches and application but looking for best option for the 5th wheel. Money does matter but I am willing to spend the $$ to have a safe and easy hitch to use. All I was told is that I need a slider hitch and I can have manual or automatic.
Recommendations anyone?

So which 5'er are you buying?

jriddering · 06-29-2012, 08:09 AM

my vote is the Pullrite Superglide for 6.5 box. I have one. When I went to buy it, I looked at manual ones and then looked at the automatic slider and there was no comparison on ease of movement and quality. You won't go wrong.

OldCoot · 06-29-2012, 09:01 AM

If the 5er you're buying has the Reese Sidewinder on it, you don't need a slider. The Reese slider the dealer put in mine was totally unacceptable to us as there was slack in the slides, etc. I know there has to be a little clearance on the moving parts, but it sure makes noise when you start and stop. We had them swap out the slider and activate the Sidewinder on our 5ver and then made shims to take the slack out of the hitch legs where they attach to the supports in the truck. Results: No noise whatsoever when stopping or starting. Very quiet.

strokendiesel002 · 06-29-2012, 09:38 AM

Having a long box, I don't need the Sidewinder, but I watched a video on it yesterday while reading another thread and if I did have a short box, I believe that is the route I'd go.

Dave_Monica · 06-29-2012, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunnnc

If the 5er you're buying has the Reese Sidewinder on it, you don't need a slider.

This would be an excellent option and save you a least a 100 lbs of hitch weight as you're really payload limited with the Ram 1500.

Dave

strokendiesel002 · 06-29-2012, 12:42 PM

Well I hurt my brain again... Curiosity got the best of me so I looked further into the automatic SuperGlide. It's pretty impressive how it works, but what concerns me is the load transfer as one is cornering. While the weight is in the proper position directly over the rear axle when going in a straight line, the load is transfered behind the rear axle when cornering thus removing weight over the front axle. Granted this may not be a problem most of the time, but if it's raining and you're close to your limit...

demoore · 06-29-2012, 12:56 PM

I too am looking at one for my TV. rain should not be an issue when turning, unless you are on a Indy course. When turning in RV parks, normally going less than 5 mph.