Best rated/Safest 5th wheel hitch

[RSLegacy]

Hello to all and Merry Christmas. My wife and I have a Riverstone 39 RKFB on order and I am now researching, what is the best and safest tow hitch to pull our 39 RKFB. We are buying a new Dodge 3500 series dually with a diesel, 4X4, and this should be more than enough truck to pull this fifth wheel with no problems at all. The 39 RKFB fifth wheel is a pretty heavy model with the dry weight over 16,000 lbs and the max weight over 19,000 plus lbs. Although a heavy fifth wheel compared to some on the market, this truck should definitely tow this unit without any problems. We would appreciate any suggestions and input regarding our purchase of a fifth wheel hitch to be installed in the truck bed. There are many hitches available and our truck bed will have the pucks covering the factory pre-drilled holes for the hitch. The truck will have an 8 ft. bed for more stability and maximum turning radius. We would love your feedback and expertise in what you would might recommend as a quality and safe tow hitch. Thanking you all in advance and again Merry Christmas with always safe travels. God Bless !!!!!

[5picker]

Merry Christmas to you too.

'Best' and 'Safest' threads quickly turn into opinionated debates. And what works for me may not be your cup of tea.

With that said, I've had about 4 different brands of 5th wheel hitches over the years and all of them have worked exactly as advertised.

Do you have any preferences?
What have you liked or disliked with what you have looked at?
Not sure what you mean by the pucks will cover the factory pre drilled holes? The pucks are the mounting points.

I hope you can receive the information you are looking for.

Let the debates begin...

[lcv800]

Well, I just throw what I use without an issue for 5 years now; Reese 26K hitch. Bought with my truck and factory/dealer installed. 20,000 miles towed so far and no issues (knock on wood). Like 5picker so accurately said, just my opinion. Never had any other so I have nothing to compare it to.

[rjshiflet]

Originally Posted by 5picker

'Best' and 'Safest' threads quickly turn into opinionated debates. And what works for me may not be your cup of tea.

With that said, I've had about 4 different brands of 5th wheel hitches over the years and all of them have worked exactly as advertised.

Exactly my thoughts. Merry Christmas to all!

[Fishrsafe]

Hard to beat the B&W Companion hitch, many RiverStone owners are using them for their rigs.

[CHICKDOE]

as stated many opinions. i'd look at how to get the hitch in and out of the truck. can it be broken into pieces that can be moved in and out of the bed? will you b e able to use a hoist to lift in in and out? i'd also think quite a bit about going up to a hitch with 24K or 25K weight capacity. a 20K hitch is close to the 19+K weight you say you will be towing.

in all the time i have been reading these forums i think i can only recall one post about a hitch actually failing. there are lots of 5th wheels out there being towed and the
hitches seem to be quite safe. again, consider going to higher hitch with as higher weight rating.

we also have a ram 3500 with the factory pucks. it's been a while since i checked on the specs for the factory puck mountings but just double check that they can handle the weight you will be towing.

[LegacyFB38]

AirSafe hitch on Ford factory puck system. BedRug liner and BedLocker
cover.

I make no claims for it being the "best" or the "safest". But it is a quality setup from reputable companies. We're very happy with it.

[Jim34RL]

The one you can afford at a reasonably expense. You can purchase a new hitch for as little as $540 on Ebay to more than $2,000. Only you can decide on what you want to spend.

I spent around $1,100 for my second hitch a DEMCO Glide. My first was a 16K REESE manual slider that I had for 10 years. The hitch cost of the Reese was part of my first 5er that I purchased.

[frank4711]

My choice B&W ...simple no spring loaded handle ... Patriot 18K .. American made welded ... Strong and quiet 4 height levels ... ...

[primo20]

To me, a hitch is not a place to skimp.

Ive had 2 B&W and in between them i had a curt. I hated the Curt and only used it on one trip to florida and went back to the B&W.

you'll probably get lots of endorsement for an anderson and a B&W.

for the 5th wheel prepped truck you should look at the B&W companion.

[RMWSierra]

Originally Posted by RSLegacy

Hello to all and Merry Christmas. My wife and I have a Riverstone 39 RKFB on order and I am now researching, what is the best and safest tow hitch to pull our 39 RKFB. We are buying a new Dodge 3500 series dually with a diesel, 4X4, and this should be more than enough truck to pull this fifth wheel with no problems at all. The 39 RKFB fifth wheel is a pretty heavy model with the dry weight over 16,000 lbs and the max weight over 19,000 plus lbs. Although a heavy fifth wheel compared to some on the market, this truck should definitely tow this unit without any problems. We would appreciate any suggestions and input regarding our purchase of a fifth wheel hitch to be installed in the truck bed. There are many hitches available and our truck bed will have the pucks covering the factory pre-drilled holes for the hitch. The truck will have an 8 ft. bed for more stability and maximum turning radius. We would love your feedback and expertise in what you would might recommend as a quality and safe tow hitch. Thanking you all in advance and again Merry Christmas with always safe travels. God Bless !!!!!

I have the Mopar 30K hitch that came with my 3500 Ram. Have pulled 5th wheel 15k miles in a little over a year with no problems. Similar in operation to the B&W Companion I had in previous truck. I like both.

[mikegernes]

We have the same model camper as you. We bought a B&W Companion 25k hitch. Works awesome for us.

[Albertaslim]

Currently using a Curt 24K on my RiverStone 38FB.

Been using it for 5 years and about 30K miles. It has worked well but can be a real pain to unhitch. Good value for the $$ but I will be switching to B+W
Companion.

What ever hitch you choose, I suggest a minimum of 24K.

[BandJCarm]

If I had it to do over, and if I had the money, a Trailer Saver BD5 Air Ride hitch.

[Jim1521]

Originally Posted by mikegernes

We have the same model camper as you. We bought a B&W Companion 25k hitch. Works awesome for us.

Same here with my 39FK

[aircommuter]

I don't use a travel trailer, but I have installed numerous hitches, fifth wheel, and under mount. B&W is well engineered, high strength steel and perfect welds on their products. I have been a welder/fabricator for over 50 years so I know quality when I see it.
Just always do a pull test before you raise the jacks all the way. All hitches.

[rskeans]

I pulled a 20K 5ver with a RAM dually LB CC with 4.10. Very smooth and no problems. Good choice.

[Tall frog]

We have a CC36ck2, not as heavy as yours but you would still be within in the ratings for our Andersen hitch . It is very easy to hookup and doesn't need a break test after hook up, just lower on the ball push in the lock cable and all set. No clunking when over bumps or at starts and stops. Only needs the goose ball as attachment to truck, just make sure you check torque AFTER putting camper on the ball and raising the front jacks. We have pulled with this hitch for almost 2 years and over 14,000 miles. Good luck with your choice.

[Rbare31]

I know you’re asking about hitches but I thought I’d pass on what I learned about Ram Duallys. If you were to buy one with 3.42 gears and the 68rfe transmission it may not have the towing capacity you need. Aisin transmission and 4.10 gears has a 30,000lb tow rating. The 3.42 was under 19,000 I think. I was shocked.
If I had bought the 8’ bed I would’ve bought B&W. American made and great quality.

[rskeans]

x2
Good point. I had the Aisin transmission. Highly recommended.