Which 5th wheel hitch

[jgroff]

I am looking for opinions between 2 5th wheel hitches. Which one is better or would you buy ?

Husky 16 k w with roller or curt q16 with slider?

My rv dealer is a husky dealer. And wants to sell me one but I like the curt better. There is a 200 dollar difference between the 2. Both hitches include install. My other option is to get an under mount gooseneck hitch and an Anderson ultimate. Which i would have to install.

Not sure what to do

Thoughts ?

[NMWildcat]

Regular Reese 15k hitch with a Sidewinder Fifth Airborne kingpin is another option. I would not even consider a slider or roller; too heavy, take up too much room, and seem to bind when you really them.

Anderson or Sidewinder is the way to go.

[Lvn2tvl]

Originally Posted by jgroff

I am looking for opinions between 2 5th wheel hitches. Which one is better or would you buy ?

Husky 16 k w with roller or curt q16 with slider?

My rv dealer is a husky dealer. And wants to sell me one but I like the curt better. There is a 200 dollar difference between the 2. Both hitches include install. My other option is to get an under mount gooseneck hitch and an Anderson ultimate. Which i would have to install.

Not sure what to do

Thoughts ?

Hands down the under bed gooseneck hitch and Andersen Ultimate. @ 35#'s, max hitch 4500 lbs, and 24,000 lbs. tow it meets or exceeds many high quality hitch specifications. When not needed I take it out in less than 5 minutes and slide it in the basement of the 5er. Pullrite has a similar one to Andersen Ultimate so check it out as well.

Just remember that you cannot use swinger type pin boxes with any ball mounted hitch unless you lock them so they won't swing. I haven't found any of these that can tolerate the rotational stresses of the swinger mounts.

I really didn't like the heavy kidney popper hitches and the Andersen Ultimate is an excellent product. You're gonna get many responses so make a list of pro's and cons for each one. Choose the one you that meets your needs and that you like the best.

[jgroff]

Originally Posted by Lvn2tvl

Hands down the under bed gooseneck hitch and Andersen Ultimate. @ 35#'s, max hitch 4500 lbs, and 24,000 lbs. tow it meets or exceeds many high quality hitch specifications. When not needed I take it out in less than 5 minutes and slide it in the basement of the 5er. Pullrite has a similar one to Andersen Ultimate so check it out as well.

Just remember that you cannot use swinger type pin boxes with any ball mounted hitch unless you lock them so they won't swing. I haven't found any of these that can tolerate the rotational stresses of the swinger mounts.

I really didn't like the heavy kidney popper hitches and the Andersen Ultumate is an excellent product. You're gonna get many responses so make a list of pro's and cons for each one. Choose the one you that meets your needs and that you like the best.

Are you using the Anderson with a short box ?

No issues ?

I have a 6.5' box

[Lvn2tvl]

Originally Posted by jgroff

Are you using the Anderson with a short box ?

No issues ?

I have a 6.5' box

Yes I had a 6'6" box in my 2500 Duramax and went to more than 5 campsites without any issues. My SOB had a standard front cap and I watched turning closely but never actually ever needed to turn sharp enough to have the camper and truck hit. The 88 degree turn radius on my current SOB really helps with your concern about hitting the cab. If you're a newbe to towing just watch closely at first until you get the feel of having the trailer behind you. You will like the positive connection feeling you will get with the Andersen hitch.

I actually gave a curt 16K slider away with my other 5th wheel. The bucking and chucking was just intolerable after awhile. Wasn't able to sell it to anybody so it was a big, heavy, toe banger just sitting in my way taking up valuable space in the garage.

[jgroff]

Originally Posted by Lvn2tvl

Yes I had a 6'6" box in my 2500 Duramax and went to more than 5 campsites without any issues. My SOB had a standard front cap and I watched turning closely but never actually ever needed to turn sharp enough to have the camper and truck hit. The 88 degree turn radius on my current SOB really helps with your concern about hitting the cab. If you're a newbe to towing just watch closely at first until you get the feel of having the trailer behind you. You will like the positive connection feeling you will get with the Andersen hitch.

I actually gave a curt 16K slider away with my other 5th wheel. The bucking and chucking was just intolerable after awhile. Wasn't able to sell it to anybody so it was a big, heavy, toe banger just sitting in my way taking up valuable space in the garage.

I'm a newbe to 5th wheels. I have been towing travel trailers for a few years. My new trailer is a mid profile sob with what looks like a front cap that will allow tight turns. I definitely don't want a slider if I don't need one. The Anderson seems great. Just want more reassurance as I have no experience towing a 5er.

[Mr. Dan]

I'm using the steel version (75 lbs.) of the Andersen Ultimate hitch in a 6.5' bed. I have had no problems. As has been said, it's easy to remove for a completely flat bed. If you do a search, spell it with an "e" in the last syllable ===> Andersen.

[lesptr]

I have the b&w turn over with the Andersen Ultimate. I have a short bed 350 which is 6'8". I cannot get a full 90* but I bet it's every bit of 85*. I am very pleased with this setup.

[Lvn2tvl]

Never say never but as long as you watch turning for awhile you should be ok. Many buy sliders for tight spots and have never used them but if they need one it's there to use. I had my slider for 2 years and like others never used it except for the one time I tested it for the first time to see if it worked correctly.

Just be aware that you have the potential to hit and it could happen. Since you have pulled TT you probably already monitor your turn radius more than a 5th wheeler would do so it shouldn't really be an issue for you.

[Lvn2tvl]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

I'm using the steel version (75 lbs.) of the Andersen Ultimate hitch in a 6.5' bed. I have had no problems. As has been said, it's easy to remove for a completely flat bed. If you do a search, spell it with an "e" in the last syllable ===> Andersen.

I used both Anderson and Andersen, because I didn't know, when I did my original search and still got to the correct location so I could research the hitch. You are correct though that it is correctly spelled Andersen.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Lvn2tvl

I used both Anderson and Andersen, because I didn't know, when I did my original search and still got to the correct location so I could research the hitch. You are correct though that it is correctly spelled Andersen.

Roger that! As a site team member who uses an Andersen hitch, I often correct the spelling in a thread title to "enhance" searches. I never alter the spelling inside a thread but I do recommend the correct spelling when members are doing research.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Lvn2tvl

Never say never but as long as you watch turning for awhile you should be ok. Many buy sliders for tight spots and have never used them but if they need one it's there to use. I had my slider for 2 years and like others never used it except for the one time I tested it for the first time to see if it worked correctly.

Just be aware that you have the potential to hit and it could happen. Since you have pulled TT you probably already monitor your turn radius more than a 5th wheeler would do so it shouldn't really be an issue for you.

I'm in this camp.
I've had my slider in three different 6.5' bed trucks (and several 5ers) and have never had to use it.
Could I hit? You bet but I've not got into a situation in hundreds of trips where I needed it.

[mekkerlc]

Vote for Andersen here!
I have a B&W turnover ball and use the Andersen Ultimate 2 Aluminum in my short bed...and NO issues turning or going 90-degrees. My 5'r does have carved out corners, so that probably helps.
SOOOOO easy to take out and put in...5-minutes tops.

[LandJ]

I will be shopping for my first 5er setup in the near future. I like the idea behind the Andersen, but doesn't it bother anyone that it seems to put the pin weight behind the axle?

I'm not trolling.... so forgive me if it appears that way. It's just something that has been bothering me about this hitch.... enlighten me, please.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by Lvn2tvl

Never say never but as long as you watch turning for awhile you should be ok. Many buy sliders for tight spots and have never used them but if they need one it's there to use.

Yeah, that's me. Bought a slider. Don't need it. Radius'd 5er front cap makes it unnecessary. 6.5' bed.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by LandJ

I will be shopping for my first 5er setup in the near future. I like the idea behind the Andersen, but doesn't it bother anyone that it seems to put the pin weight behind the axle?

I'm not trolling.... so forgive me if it appears that way. It's just something that has been bothering me about this hitch.... enlighten me, please.

It doesn't.
1. If you don't already have a gooseneck ball in your bed, you COULD mount it a few inches farther forward.
2. You can turn the connector around so that the ball socket is behind the trailer's pin instead of in front (as does hbillsmith on here).
3. I think it's even possible to turn the pyramid base around to reverse the position of the pyramid ball.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by LandJ

I will be shopping for my first 5er setup in the near future. I like the idea behind the Andersen, but doesn't it bother anyone that it seems to put the pin weight behind the axle?

I'm not trolling.... so forgive me if it appears that way. It's just something that has been bothering me about this hitch.... enlighten me, please.

I don't think it puts more pin weight behind the axle as the pyramid platform basically distributes the load pretty evenly front to rear/sided to side over the axle.

What it does allow for is the placement of the pivot point more froward or back depending on how you mount the pyramid or the adapter to the pin box.

[Lvn2tvl]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

It doesn't.
1. If you don't already have a gooseneck ball in your bed, you COULD mount it a few inches farther forward.
2. You can turn the connector around so that the ball socket is behind the trailer's pin instead of in front (as does hbillsmith on here).
3. I think it's even possible to turn the pyramid base around to reverse the position of the pyramid ball.

I'm pretty sure #1 is a fixed distance that keeps the pyramid in the correct location for each specific truck and cannot/shouldn't be changed. I'm confident that Andersen would say no to reversing the pyramid in the bed.

#2 is turning the king pin adapter 180 degrees and is the only one mentioned that is approved by Andersen. The adapter can be reversed if your pinbox is too long and this will help prevent hitting the top of the bed rail cap during tight turns. I have my adapter reversed because my pinbox is too long for tight turns.

[Mr. Dan]

OK, cool. You're "pretty sure" and you're "confident". That should count for something. I watched the guy install my ball. He is a world-class GM Master Technician but didn't appear to be driven by "specific truck" rules. I suspect the member asking the question will be satisfied with one possibility.
4. One can purchase an offset ball and shaft to place the bed ball forward or behind the ball hole in the bed. It is mentioned in Andersen threads on this site.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I don't think it puts more pin weight behind the axle as the pyramid platform basically distributes the load pretty evenly front to rear/sided to side over the axle.

What it does allow for is the placement of the pivot point more froward or back depending on how you mount the pyramid or the adapter to the pin box.

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

OK, cool. You're "pretty sure" and you're "confident". That should count for something. I watched the guy install my ball. He is a world-class GM Master Technician but didn't appear to be driven by "specific truck" rules. I suspect the member asking the question will be satisfied with one possibility.
4. One can purchase an offset ball and shaft to place the bed ball forward or behind the ball hole in the bed. It is mentioned in Andersen threads on this site.

Which is what I was referring to when mentioning pyramid placement in my post.