Wife decided to buy a fiver, now to learn about hitches

[Kaadk]

So, after throwing around the idea of going to a fiver for a few years now, we've now found one that my wife says it's the one. I'm now currently in the process of researching a new truck to pull this new fiver she's set on buying. It's one of those 1/2 ton fifth wheels, 7400 lbs (dry), 1140 lbs pin (dry), and I'm looking at the options of a 3/4 ton from one of the big 3. That puts the payload in the 2500-3000 range for the various models I'm looking at, so hopefully plenty of capacity even after the trailer gets loaded and shoots those numbers way up. And based on what's on the lots around here, I'm looking at ordering it, so I also plan on getting it with the fifth wheel prep package.

Now for the part I need help, between the fact that this would be daily driver, overall length of my driveway, and variety of other factors, I'm looking at a short box model. I know enough about fifth wheel hitches that it's recommended to go with some kind of slider hitch when towing with a short box, but researching slider hitches it looks like nobody makes any that are compatible with any of the factory prep packages. They all seem to require some kind of adapter. The only hitches that seem to fit the factory packages are fixed hitches, which don't seem to do you much good if it's in a short box.

So, should I keep looking at sliders, or should I see about getting the kingpin switched to a Sidewinder instead? If I stick with a slider, since this is my first fiver, do you recommend a manual or an automatic slider? If I go Sidewinder, what kind of fixed hitch should I be looking at that's compatible with the factory packages?

Appreciate the help,

[JohnF]

The Demco Hijacker fit into my Ford puck system with no adapters.

[Windjammin]

You may not need a slider hitch. A lot of the new fivers have curved fronts that allow their use on short bed trucks without the need for a slide hitch. My Ford truck has the short bed and I can turn up to about 80 degrees without hitting the cab. I have not had the need to turn anything close to that so far and have no trouble with the fiver on the truck.

[Wobbles]

My TV is a daily driver and is a 3/4 ton with an extended cab, full size bed. I do like the space in the back there since I learned that I like to carry stuff that I would not carry if I had to put it in the 5er. Breaking camp after or during a monsoon of sorts will make this point in spades.

IMHO:
The cost difference between a short and long bed was not a big deal. The extended cab vs crew was a major since I only have passengers on rare occasions other than the grand kids...

[aceinspp]

The new Dodge Ram can be had with the 5er hitch installed from factory and should work for your application. Later RJD

[EdJunior]

In the 8 years I've been pulling a 5th wheel (mostly weekend type camping), I've never "needed" the slider. I got it for "peace of mind". I may never need it, but I have it I ever do. It has come with me through three trucks. It is a manual slider, and to be honest, the last time I used it (just to make sure it still works), it took a bit of kicking to get it to slide. It was kinda stuck. I can't comment on the factory prep, as those were pretty rare when I got my hitch.

I would say if you can find one that fits the factory prep, and can afford it, go for it. Like I said, it will give you peace of mind.

[Skyliner]

Get the slider with a shortbox bed. 90% of the time you may not need it but that one time you are backing up into a spot that requires a tight turn and BOOM, you've crunched your cab.

[5picker]

You'll get plenty of suggestions and opinions as this topic gets discussed here often.

Here's one more hitch that's a fairly new player...
Blue Ox Super Ride
http://www.blueox.com/super-ride/

Will mount to the turnover ball of the factory prep or to a rail adapter to the pucks.

I do not own one but this hitch recently peaked my interest at a R/V show.

[merrykalia]

We had a slider, pulling an 11K, 36 ft 5'er. Never used it.

Just purchased new truck and new 5'er. We got an Anderson Ultimate Hitch. Google it.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by merrykalia

We had a slider, pulling an 11K, 36 ft 5'er. Never used it.

Just purchased new truck and new 5'er. We got an Anderson Ultimate Hitch. Google it.

... but spell it "AndersEn".

[elind]

I have a 38' Wildcat FW and I have a 6'-6" box GMC 2500. I use a fixed hitch and can do a 90 degree turns. The Wildcat has rounded corners in the front to allow this. If you use a short box (5'-8") the Reese Sidewinder will clear the cab in all positions.

[SlfMdeFam]

I use the SuperGlide auto slider in my short bed Ram. Used it with 2 different 5ers and love it. Wether I needed it or not it was there and I never had a worry.

[uncbearfan]

Originally Posted by Chris Allen

I use the SuperGlide auto slider in my short bed Ram. Used it with 2 different 5ers and love it. Wether I needed it or not it was there and I never had a worry.

X2

[Skikrazee]

i just purchased the Andersen 3200 for my new fiver. can't speak to it's towing yet as my adapter block was defective, should be here tomorrow. the thing i like about it is it is offset from center, front to back to give more cab clearance as well as the adapter block for the king pin gives you a few more inches. And it only weighs 41lbs, pull 4 pins and one person can lift it out of the bed of the truck.

when selecting your tow vehicle take a hard look at payload, I have a 2016 Ram 2500 megacab, 6'4" bed, 4x4 with a 6.7 CTD. the truck will tow 15.5k but my payload is a whopping 2030#. that's 1/2 ton territory there. Very disappointed

Good luck in your search

[andymil]

My 2016 F-250 6.7 PS had a payload of only 2017#. Enough for the tt, not enough for the 5er. Like Skikrazee said, very disappointing.

[Wileykid]

When looking at the 2500/250 trucks (your preference), like what is being said above, if you load the truck up with all the options including the kitchen sink, your payload will be very low. If you want a truck with all that, and have the payload you need, you will have to look at the 3500/350. I have a Chevy 2500 double cab Dmax 4x4 LT (mid options model), and I have a 2540 payload. If it was the 6l gas, I would think the payload would be somewhere around 2800+. Food for thought.

FYI, for somewhere around $1K more you can get a 1 ton SRW which will get the same mileage, and is the same size.

Mark

[tomkatb]

My Ram truck did not have the puck system. End of season purchase.

My son installed the B&W turnover ball system in the bed in two hours. Easy. More than half the time was removing and installing the spare and drilling four 1/2" holes for the chain anchors.

We bought he Andersen Ultimate. $425 B&W + $699 for the hitch. Research a while. There are a lot of combinations.

The B&W Companion is a nice choice for a Ram. Flexible.

There is minimal cost differences between a 3/4 ton and 1 ton truck. If I were buying today I would buy a 1 ton. Just in case. We, like you, picked a smaller fifth wheel. However, the DW decided she wanted a king bed and separate washer dryer before we signed papers. Add #3000.

My wife drives our Ram diesel short bed every day and loves it. The long bed would be more difficult to drive. She really likes it!

[Ejs4029]

Just an FYI....My 2015 Ram 2500 with the Cummins has a relatively low payload for a 3/4 ton 2259 lbs. 3/4 ton gasser's typically have more payload.

[chaps2018]

X3 on payload will be your limiting factor

X2 on Andersen ultimate 2. $700 and 35#, easy hitch/unhitch process.

[Kaadk]

Thanks for the updates all, I was looking at the gassers anyways, but had “willing to take a diesel” in the back of my mind. I didn’t realize the payload on the diesels was that much different (nearly 800 lbs according to the ram body builder site!)

I’m going to have to take a closer look at the specs of the various diesel options before considering any of the “on the lot” vehicles around here (which are all diesel).

As far as the hitch, the concept that the Andersen is only 40ish lbs is appealing, as I’m sure I’ll be the only one taking it in and out of the box. Gonna have to give that one some serious research too.

Thanks for all the great ideas, keep them coming!