5th wheel attachments

[K Rut]

Good day, I have a 2011 with the bed already set to receive a 5th wheel hitch. I was wondering what some of you all are running for hitches in the bed and recommend for brands. I will be pulling a 42 foot 5th wheel toy hauler, empty weight is 14K, the spec sheet said it was going to have 3100lbs on the hitch.

Any info is appreciated,

Thanks!

[chuckster57]

IIRC Reese makes a hitch that is designed to install directly on the factory mounts. Reese is a very respected and highly rated brand, and I would buy the highest weight rated one you can get. If your a short bed, then you'll want a sliding hitch, if you have a long bed then you don't need it. Some of the newer trailers are being designed with the front corners made so you don't have to have a sliding hitch on a short bed. My 2012 Copper Canyon is made that way, but I have a long bed so it didn't matter.

[wpetko]

I agree with chuckster57. Reese is a good hitch with a great reputation. My new truck (see sig) was ordered with the Reese hitch. I haven't towed the fifth wheel with it yet so I can't vouch for it yet, but I certainly anticipate it will be fine.
I would also like to recommend Pullrite hitches. I've owned two of these, one a regular 5th wheel hitch and one was their "Superglide" model which slides automatically back and forth in the event that you have a short bed truck.
Both Pullrite and the higher end Reese hitches (like the one that I ordered with the new truck) have a single piece steel jaw that wraps around the kingpin on your trailer instead of two "dog ear" jaws that clamp around the kingpin. This is a very secure connection with extremely close tolerance so there is no banging or slack.
'Hope this has helped..

[←snow∞motion→]

Thanks for asking this, I have been wondering this myself.

What about the gooseneck ball, will any old ball fit in the factory installed mount?

Don't want to poach your thread, I was just wondering.

Thanks

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by wpetko

Both Pullrite and the higher end Reese hitches (like the one that I ordered with the new truck) have a single piece steel jaw that wraps around the kingpin on your trailer instead of two "dog ear" jaws that clamp around the kingpin.

I am using a Robin that has a big flat bar that crosses the "gate" and locks in.

[heed250]

I got an Adapter plate from hensley if you would want to expand what hitches that you can use. works great and fits perfectly into our trucks. cant remember off hand the limits but i do know it exceeds what the 2011 250s can tow. the plate was 4000lbs max hitch.

[gtstang462002]

Originally Posted by ←snow∞motion→

Thanks for asking this, I have been wondering this myself.

What about the gooseneck ball, will any old ball fit in the factory installed mount?

Don't want to poach your thread, I was just wondering.

Thanks

Reese makes that as well. It is all part of their elite line up. They seem to have the market cornered for the factory options. The only way to get away from the elite line is to get the adapter that was previously mentioned.

[←snow∞motion→]

Thank you

[Sportscraft]

I went with both the Reese fifthwheel and gooseneck from Ford. The gooseneck I don't think you'll save much money going elsewhere, but might be able to get a fifth wheel set up a bit cheaper. To me though it was just easier to purchase it with the truck that way I was all set and knew it would work. I Believe my fw is rated at 24,000 lbs which is right at the tow capacity of my truck. I figured I wanted to match the hitch weight to my truck capacity rather than a specific trailer.


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[jss35lksa]

To the OP - The Reese hitch from ford is awesome. I really like it. i like the fact that there are grease fittings that you can getgrease into the working of the hitch. Hooking up is also easy. the thickness of the pin jaw is thicket than my old Reese 20K hitch. The truck tows my 5er beautifully. We are fulltiem RV'ers and have a little over 15K on the truck already.

BUT. Forget about that empty weight of the trailer. It is a useless number. As soon as you put flatware into the kitchen drawer that number is out the window. ALWAYS use the GVWR of the trailer when doing any of your weight calculations. And always use 18 - 20% of the 5er weight (until it is weighed, use GVWR) to figure what the pin weight is going to be.

[K Rut]

Thanks for all the good information! I will definenatly look into Reese!

I put the Empty weight out there as it was just a place to start, but I fully understand that after adding 160 gal of water, every day things, kitchen stock, 2 dirt bikes........ The weight adds up. I have out grown the current trailer I am using and I am tired of hooking the weight distribution hitch up all the time.... Am I getting lazy? I don't know but possibly I am finding every possible reason to upgrade!

I have a F350 long bed, so no need for the sliding hitch. Is there any adjustment to the height of the plate, looking to adjust the clearance between the truck bed and trailer.

Thanks

[badbart]

Originally Posted by K Rut

Thanks for all the good information! I will definenatly look into Reese!

Is there any adjustment to the height of the plate, looking to adjust the clearance between the truck bed and trailer.

Thanks

My Reese Classic 22K has three height positions. I keep it in the top one so less weight is on the truck.

[chuckster57]

As soon as you start towing a fiver, you're going to ask yourself what took you so long. As for clearance, you want about 6" from the bed rail to the skin of the trailer on flat level ground.
You can adjust the height of the hitch, or the pin box on the trailer, or a combo of both.

I have air bags, and you might want to consider them, keeping in mind that they do nothing to increase the weight rating of the rear axle, but will go a long way toward leveling out the ride. My old fiver had a1795 pin and dropped my bumper about 2-3", my new one is only 1250 and it drops the bumper less than 2 inches. Your pin weight is going to squat your butt. If you plan on driving after dark, your going to make enemies of on coming traffic, and you'll think your searching the skies for aircraft.


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[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by badbart

My Reese Classic 22K has three height positions. I keep it in the top one so less weight is on the truck.

I don't think the height of the plate changes the weight of the pin. It just makes the trailer high in the front or back. Pin weight is affected by weight distribution forward or aft of the axles.


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[Wolf451]

I would look in to the B&W OEM compatible companion 5th wheel hitch. Cost is little less, well built but most people haven't heard of them unless they are pulling horse trailers.