Decisions... Decisions...

[RJOL]

Got to put a new 5th wheel hitch in my 3500, when it arrives. I've narrowed it down to three choices.



First: The Signature Series 18K by Reese. Like the looks. Haven't been able to see one up close, but it sounds like its got a positive fool proof lock (as fool proof as anything can be) and run about $720 delivered. I would have to put it in (which I've done before) and as far as I can tell, it would require a couple of holes be drilled in the frame.



Second: Have a Hijacker Ultra 16K put in by my local fab shop. The guy there has fabricated custom brackets so that it can be bolted to the frame, rather then drilling. It's a basic "bar lock" hitch, like the one I've used for years, and is pretty fool proof. My current one can be a little hard to get it to release on uneven ground but by jockeying the truck, it has always worked. Would cost $535 for the hitch and $300 for the install.



Third: Get a B&W turnball hitch with the "Companion" 5th wheel head. This is a bolt on application, to the frame, and would leave the bed clean when not used. It does require a 4" hole to be cut in the bed... This system would cost a little over $1000 delivered, and I would put it on. Does the wheel well liner interfer with the ball locking handle, or do you just poke a hole through it?



I'd like some personal experiences with any of the above. Not really interested in other hitches, unless they are basically the same as one of the above. Not interested in the turnball type hitch that requires you to bolt an adaptor to the king pin. Any ideas...

 

[klenger]

Look at the PullRite system also. I love mine. No frame driilling required. See my comments at http://www.klenger.net/dodge/pullrite/index.html.

 

[wyosteve]

RJOL, I have the B&W. For the ball locking handle, you have to cut a hole in the wheel liner. I used the same saw as for the bed hole. Have had no problems with dirt, ice or crud getting into the handle hole.

 

[RustyJC]

I've used the B&W turnoverball with 5th wheel RV companion hitch since late 2001 on my 2nd generation truck (see signature). I had a Reese 5th wheel hitch on my previous 3500. I highly recommend the B&W solution (our current 5th wheel has a 16K GVWR). I think you should be able to beat the $1,000+ price with some judicious Internet shopping.



I'm glad you're not considering the gooseneck adapters - they're BAD NEWS.



Rusty

 

[JPudenz]

B&W...

I recently went with the B&W solution... I Love it. It's simple, looks good, weighs less and seems pretty fool-proof as you can tell easily if the pin makes a positive lock or not. As for cost, my thought was do it right once!



Good Luck to ya.



JJ

 

[SCosgriff]

B&W

I have the B&W and would recommend it. It bolts on easy and can be removed quickly. I think it also has an 18k rating for the companion and 30k for the goose neck.

 

[SSage]

How does the Husky 24K rate, I'm fixing to get a bigger trailer and my dealer recommends Husky over the 18K Reese? Husky jumps from a 16 to a 24K. It does pivot 4 ways.

 

[RJOL]

Thanks for the info...



I've taken a look at the installation instructions for the B&W and they are not very clear. It's pretty hard to describe how to do something with some pictures and a few words. My question is this... For those of you that installed your own, is the installation difficult or complicated. I've installed a Reese bar hitch in my 2001, so I know I can do it, but just wondered about any problems with the install...

 

[wyosteve]

I never installed a hitch before. The B&W took me about 3 hrs. , but the next one I could do in about 1. 5 hrs. The biggest fear was cutting the 4" hole in the bed. I probably measured and remeasured 10 times. When you take the instructions with the pictures and have them next to the truck and the hitch pieces, it all makes more sense. 2 tips. You should remove your wheel well liners if you have them and to hold the hitch frame up to the 4" hole while you install the supports, I used a 2x4 laid across the bed with a nylon ratchet strap to pull the hitch up and hold it in position.

 

[RJOL]

Look at the PullRite system also. I love mine. No frame driilling required...

Klenger... Thanks for the info... Another option to look at. I want a hitch that will go under my Roll N Lock cover that I will put on. Is the installed hitch and locking handle below the top of the bed rail?

 

[RJOL]

... I think you should be able to beat the $1,000+ price with some judicious Internet shopping...

Rusty... I think the price of steel has gone up since 2002. More then one site has raised their prices in the past few months. The best price I have found is from hitchesonline.com and they are at $1094 delivered. If anyone knows of a better deal... let me know...

 

[DSutton]

I'm glad you're not considering the gooseneck adapters - they're BAD NEWS

Why do you say that? They save you lots of space, You do not have to lift the bulky 5th wheel Hitch in and out. Makes a much simpler, cleaner truck bed.

 

[RustyJC]

Why am I against gooseneck adapters? Because 5th wheel trailers are not structurally designed to function as goosenecks, and these adapters can tear (and have torn) the pinbox from the frame. HERE'S the most recent thread discussing gooseneck adapters - there are many more, both here and on the RVing forums.



If one wants a clean truck bed when not towing a 5th wheel, there are other solutions that are well engineered. The B&W turnoverball gooseneck with its companion 5th wheel RV hitch is one example.



Rusty

 

[Big Mike]

Reese Signature Series

I have the Reese Signature Series 18k, the install was straight forward and simple. Did it in about 2 hours. The Reese was the best choice for me, and would recommend it to anyone.



Good luck with whatever you choose.



Mike

 

[RJOL]

Went with the B&W. Just liked the idea of only one hole, rather then four. Looks like it will handle my 31' Alpenlite just fine...