Best 5th Wheel Hitch for Stock underbody rail system

[SnoKing]

Then again with a truck pricing out at 76K MSRP it makes this hitch combo look cheap

Oh good, I was going to comment on that.

 

[Cummins2014]

I see three choices for the post 2013 Rams for a 5th wheel hitch and wondering if anyone has a preference and why. The companion is what I am leaning to now for my yet to be delivered 2017 3500. Thoughts?

The new Andersen that fits the OEM fifth wheel prep. No picture frames, no bed rails or gooseneck balls . Direct 4 point connection to the puck system. Supposed to be available in Feb.

 

[Stab]

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Agreed! ^^^^

 

[SnoKing]

The new Andersen that fits the OEM fifth wheel prep. No picture frames, no bed rails or gooseneck balls . Direct 4 point connection to the puck system. Supposed to be available in Feb.

Did not know that Andersen was coming out with a slider? Do you have pictures?

 

[Cummins2014]

Did not know that Andersen was coming out with a slider? Do you have pictures?

I didn't read that he needed a slider in his original post, but to answer you no I do not have pictures . But then you knew what I was talking about with the new Andersen to fit the OEM fifth wheel prep, no mention of a slider.

 

[brillmtb]

I dont think the anderson is making a slider? They approach this as a minimalist approach to what is needed and only what is needed. hence, lightweight aluminum setup which is offset slightly to the rear for a little more clearance from what I have reviewed. Again, a companion non slider with the reese airborne/side winder give us a 22 inch setback on the hinge point and air cushoning. No need for manual or auto slider and better trailer tracking from what I can put together but at a higher cost. Had I asked my artic fox dealer to put in the airborn/side winder instead of plan airborne I would have been way ahead of this but now I need to consider the ultimate setup and sell back my airborne to perhaps someone who already has a slider and wants the air cushion now.

I think I have this assessed correctly. Hey, you can do anything right with money

 

[AKetay]

B&W Companion

 

[Cummins12V98]

The new Andersen that fits the OEM fifth wheel prep. No picture frames, no bed rails or gooseneck balls . Direct 4 point connection to the puck system. Supposed to be available in Feb.

That will certainly be a big improvement over the current Ultimate that deflects the bed and has it's self deflected under hard braking, it has been upgraded. I would have no issues with the "NEW" Andersen in the 14K and under range. Just compare it side by side to the B&W RVK3600. Sure the Andersen "rates" but so does the Craftsman Vac.

 

[Cummins12V98]

B&W Companion

How thick is that green pad and how is it attached?

 

[Cummins2014]

That will certainly be a big improvement over the current Ultimate that deflects the bed and has it's self deflected under hard braking, it has been upgraded. I would have no issues with the "NEW" Andersen in the 14K and under range. Just compare it side by side to the B&W RVK3600. Sure the Andersen "rates" but so does the Craftsman Vac.

I know you take issue with the Andersen, and heaven knows why. Its been towing large fifth wheels since they come out, and yes way over your 14K range limit, again heaven knows where you come up with 14K, is that something you just pulled out of your you know what.

You seem to forget all the B&W hitches that deflected ,and bent up beds until the shims were added. Andersen is no different. We do need to report ALL the facts.


Self destructed, thats a stretch, yes it bent , but did not fail in operation, nor did anything come loose. Again ALL the facts should be reported. Thats been ONE hitch as far as what I have read.

 

[Cummins12V98]

You need to read what I said. I said "its self DEFLECTED" not destructed!

I was correct all along with noting the Circus type video showing crushing the hitch did not point out what happens with fore and aft movement. They had enough complaints from the tubes deflecting just from hard braking they re designed the hitch. I know for a FACT when towing heavy with the Ultimate it WILL cause bed deflection, I have seen it.

Now for the B&W, if you have followed my posts you would have seen me telling about my 18K original style Companion deflecting my 2011 RAM bed. Also the base deflected. The FACT is the 18K Companion was flawless when used in vehicles that had stronger/thicker beds than the newer trucks now have. I was towing 18K and after contacting B&W they sent me a new base and filler strips. During that time they were designing a new base with adjustable shims and actually increased their rating to 20K.


Happy now?

 

[SnoKing]

Clue, they did not redesign it because of issues with one unit! Their much trouted compression test does not account for for and aft forces. Just saying.

It is good that they are coming out with puck models, however that is going to add weight, and low weight is their biggest sales appeal.

They still have no true short bed solution.

Chris

 

[Cummins2014]

You need to read what I said. I said "its self DEFLECTED" not destructed!

I was correct all along with noting the Circus type video showing crushing the hitch did not point out what happens with fore and aft movement. They had enough complaints from the tubes deflecting just from hard braking they re designed the hitch. I know for a FACT when towing heavy with the Ultimate it WILL cause bed deflection, I have seen it.

Now for the B&W, if you have followed my posts you would have seen me telling about my 18K original style Companion deflecting my 2011 RAM bed. Also the base deflected. The FACT is the 18K Companion was flawless when used in vehicles that had stronger/thicker beds than the newer trucks now have. I was towing 18K and after contacting B&W they sent me a new base and filler strips. During that time they were designing a new base with adjustable shims and actually increased their rating to 20K.


Happy now?

Happy now, never was unhappy I just get a kick out of your bashing , and self evaluation of something you have never owned, and yes I misread, just so used to you bashing I assumed something I shouldn't have.

I'm still wondering where you pulled that 14K out of , got a good idea, but I doubt you will admit to that

 

[Cummins12V98]

It's funny when people get upset with someone stating fact or opinion about a product they own they state people are BASHING. I guess I was BASHING B&W with my post above?

My OPINION of the 14K amount is based on observation. Just compare the Andersen side by side to the RVK3600. Someone is way underrating or someone is way overrating their hitch.

You can't lock the release handle with the Andersen, is that BASHING" ?

Like I have said MY opinion is the Andersen is a quality made product that is rated too high. Bashing? I think not.

 

[Cummins2014]

It's funny when people get upset with someone stating fact or opinion about a product they own they state people are BASHING. I guess I was BASHING B&W with my post above?

My OPINION of the 14K amount is based on observation. Just compare the Andersen side by side to the RVK3600. Someone is way underrating or someone is way overrating their hitch.

You can't lock the release handle with the Andersen, is that BASHING" ?

Like I have said MY opinion is the Andersen is a quality made product that is rated too high. Bashing? I think not.

Not upset at all, heck I don't even own one.

Whats amazing to me, is guys like you, not being an engineer thinking they KNOW what a hitch can ,or cannot do, just amazes me.

Being retired from steel fabrication for over 42 years, I do understand where the strength of the Andersen comes from, although one ,as far as I know, deflected, they corrected that problem if you will . Fact remains now I would tow within their ratings more so then ever.

Its just claims you can't back up "14K or under " why not 15K or 13K , it is what it is, a number pulled out of somewhere, and I got a pretty good idea where

 

[Cummins2014]

It's funny when people get upset with someone stating fact or opinion about a product they own they state people are BASHING. I guess I was BASHING B&W with my post above?

My OPINION of the 14K amount is based on observation. Just compare the Andersen side by side to the RVK3600. Someone is way underrating or someone is way overrating their hitch.

You can't lock the release handle with the Andersen, is that BASHING" ?

Like I have said MY opinion is the Andersen is a quality made product that is rated too high. Bashing? I think not.

As far as locking, no not bashing . I'm sure if you wanted to you could come up with something to lock the Andersen. Not having lock phobia, it does not concern me . I check my hitch after every stop to see if anyone has tampered with it.

As far as locking my present hitch to the bed, heck no, more power to them they want to lift that heavy monster, get a hernia have at it. All the more reason to go get that new puck system Andersen. Oh! ,and I will probably be under your 14K , whoopee !

 

[SnoKing]

Pyramids are very strong vertically, push sideways on the blocks and they tumble down. Ron being a carpenter and you a steel fabricator delt with similar forces from many different directions.

 

[Cummins12V98]

You being a steel fabricator I am sure you built things without an engineered set of drawings. I am sure you "pulled" some common sense designs a time or two.

 

[Cummins2014]

You being a steel fabricator I am sure you built things without an engineered set of drawings. I am sure you "pulled" some common sense designs a time or two.

I have built trailers, hitches ,push bars , bedsavers ( blue ox copy ) X-factor braces, fifth wheel stabilizers etc etc. I have utility trailers I built nearly 30 years ago going strong, and fully galvanized still looking new. None of that stuff from any drawing. Of course none of that stuff was what we manufactured Government work if you will .

 

[Newsa]

B&W Companion

Is there a discoloration of the welds on the bottom?