When looking at 5th wheel hitches, is one brand/type better, or are they all about the same? I want a 20k, 4-way hitch for my 2000 F350 long bed. Other than that I don't know what to look for.
Comments, suggestions appreciated.
Thanks
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2000 F350 7.3, Auto, Lariat. John Wood modifications: transmission, Airdog, ITP reg return, AC single shot injectors, DP Tuner, live tuned.
Get one with "jaws" and not the cheapie with the flat bar inside. The bar will wear a flat spot on the kingpin and is not as strong/durable.
I like my Reese classic. With Reese and Draw-tite merging I guess I would like either.
2006 F350 CC LWB Dually XLT Oxford white manual 4x4 6.0 PSD 6 speed. 4.10 LS front and rear, Built May05. 4" turbo back, 100gal aux fuel tank. A real pig from a stop, but give me 10' and she'll lite'em up.
Reese/Drawtite is by far the most popular. So in the rare event that you have a problem with the hitch, it will be easy to find a dealer that has parts or that can fix it.
The classic Reese hitch is now called the Select Series. That's the one I have in a 16k, and that's the one I would get in a 20k. Click on the following, then scroll down to the 20k hitch. Yes, it is 4-way tilt.
But if you have a shorty pickup, you need a slider hitch. In that case, the heaviest Reese/Drawtite available is 18k. But that's a manual slider. I would pay the big bucks for the fully-automatic PullRite SuperGlide hitch. http://www.pullrite.com/superglide.htm
Note the SuperGlide comes in 16k and 24k versions, but not 20k.
I am getting ready to order and Air Ride Hitch (25K) for my new 2008 F350 (hopefully it will get to the dealership in late February) to haul a new 38' 5th wheel.
I have done a lot of research on several forums, I like rv.net, and have come to the conclusion that an Air Ride Hitch is the best for me.
The Air Ride Hitches take out all of the bouncing and jerking that the trailer does and really gives you a smooth ride.
They are a little pricy but this is a situation where you get what you pay for.
Good luck with your new ride whichever trailer you choose.
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2008 F350 Lariat CC PSD 2WD Auto. 172" Dark Blue Pearl Clearcoat Metallic/Pueblo Gold 5"Chrome CabSteps Camper Pkg. HD Alt. Tow Command Upfitter Switches, 25K Air Safe Hitch, Retrax Cover, Timbrens, WOLO 120 db air horn, and more.
2007 Ameri-Camp Summit Ridge Reserve 40' 5th wheel trailer, 3/Slides, chrome wheels, Mor-ryde suspension, dual A/C, theatre system, solid surface counter tops, king bed, power jacks front/rear, 50 AMP service, sealed underside, heated tanks and more. MY PICTURES: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/558384049kmtqSi
dont know how much You have to spend but an air rde are nice and can get 4 way pivit and the weight cap. you need. Allso if always get one bigger than you need so if you upgrade then you dont have to get anouther and anouther.
I have the Signature Series from Reese. It's 18K and all the mounting hardware is under the bed. When the hitch is out, there is nothing in the bed to interfere with loading or unloading. The four holes in the bed have hard rubber inserts to fill the holes when not using the fiver. It's a great set up. Drops right in, pops right out. This is my first fiver so it is my first experience with a fiver hitch. I'm really happy with my choice.
I think I will get either a Drawtite/Reese Pro series 15k or Select series 16k. Anyone have comments about either of these? Trailer: empty weight=7600, gross weight=10400.
Thanks
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2000 F350 7.3, Auto, Lariat. John Wood modifications: transmission, Airdog, ITP reg return, AC single shot injectors, DP Tuner, live tuned.
I have the Drawtite 16K on a slider (short bed) and have been very happy with it. There is one thing I don't understand though. On a fixed base, the hitch has a normal amount of rake,or tilt-back,when unloaded and has about equal amounts of tilt either side of level.The slider base puts the hitch head at an exaggerated rake angle and as a result the hitch doesn't go very far forward of center. This could be a problem at the bottom of a dip where the truck is starting up and the trailer is still going down. Its a simple mod to fix the situation involving four 1/2" holes and tack welding in two compression plates so the tube doesn't collapse around your new holes when you torque the bolts. The hitch is very stout and well finished, I would buy one again. -- Perry
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I think I will get either a Drawtite/Reese Pro series 15k or Select series 16k.
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In your topic-starter post you said: "I want a 20k, 4-way hitch for my 2000 F350 long bed."
But now you're willing to go way down to the cheap 15k Pro series? That's a heck of a come down. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]
I've had both the cheap Reese (now called the Professional Series) and the good Reese (now called the Select Series). I threw away the cheap one and replaced it with the 16k Select Series with 4-way tilt. Yes, you gotta have 4-way tilt if you ever need to hook up on uneven ground, so don't consider the 15k Select Series which has only 2-way tilt. And even though they say the cheap Pro series has 4-way tilt, the range of the side-to-side tilt is inadequate for hooking up on uneven ground.
So I would say do what I did - get the Reese or Drawtite Select Series 16k. You'll be glad you did. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif[/img]
The problem is I'm on my way to pick up a trailer and the dealer was supposed to install a hitch but has nothing in stock except the 15k pro (which they kept assuring me was a fine hitch and all I needed). I got real lucky. Passing through St Louis, the first RV shop I called had the 16k select in stock and yes, they could install it. A couple hours later I was back on the road with the hitch I wanted, for only a little more than I was going to pay for the pro. Thanks for the advice. Now all I have to do is get back through this storm with a new trailer; I see some hotel time in my future.
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2000 F350 7.3, Auto, Lariat. John Wood modifications: transmission, Airdog, ITP reg return, AC single shot injectors, DP Tuner, live tuned.
Nobody here mentioned the Pullrite 5th wheel hitches. The hitch in my sig is great. The auto slider was worth the extra money for me. Since you have a long bed truck you don't need the sliding feature, but the great thing about the Pulrite hitches is the coupling and locking mechanism. There are no jaws at all, but a single precision laser cut clamp that rotates completely around the king pin with very close tolerance and you don't get the "bump" like you would with hitches with "jaws". I know that I haven't done a great job of explaining myself, but you could go to www.PullRite.com and check out their website. They will also send you a free video.
I truly feel that I have the best hitch on the market and I feel very safe and secure when I tow.
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2005 F-350 Lariat, 6.0 PSD, Torqueshift auto trans, crew cab, SRW, short box, FX4, ESOF, limited slip dif., tow command, upfitter switches, 6 CD changer, Lariat Lux. package, camper package, engine block heater, adjustable pedals, reverse sensor, triple A-pillar gauge set (Autometer) with pyrometer, trans temp & voltmeter, MBRP 4" cat back exhaust w/5" dual wall chrome tip, dark shadow gray/ med. flint interior.
2008 Big Horn fifth wheel by Heartland RV model 3670RL. 38' long, 4 slides and all the goodies.
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