Fifth wheel hitch and brake controller?

[dutch6]

Will pick up the new 3500, DRW, 8' bed, truck Monday. I am thinking of an air hitch (Trailer Saver or Air Safe, or?) and a Brakesmart controller. This will be our first experience towing a 5er. Based on your experience, which hitch and which brake controller would you get?

 

[MountainMan1]

I own the AIRSAFE™ 25K Omni-Directional hitch and like it very much. It does everything as advertised.



I have done some research on the Brakesmart and would go that next time if price wasn't an issue at that time!



I am now using a Prodogy for about 3 years and like it just fine.

 

[RGrizzle]

i like my prodigy .

 

[MScheiper]

I triple that. Prodigy has been great for me for the last 4 years.

 

[LRutigliano]

Some "tips" to think about...



- What 5er are you getting (size and weight)? With heavier 5er's (15k #), the air ride hitches seem popular.



- Make sure the plate pivots in all directions. Some brands don't.



- Don't let the RV dealer drill or weld on your frame. I've seen "cheap" universal brackets welded to our boxed frame and they look like toothpicks sticking up off of the rail. The welds also looked very bad... Get a kit that bolts to the holes already in the frame.



- Do you want to have it permanently mounted in the bed (brackets in bed cannot be removed) or do want to be able to it completely removed from the bed occasionally?



- Even if the 5th wheel hitch can be removed, its heavier than I ever thought. There is no way for me to get it in or out of the bed by myself because the bed is approx 44" from the ground and I can't deadlift it that high without help.



- Don't let the RV dealer drill into your bed to install the 7-way connector. Our trucks have the 7-way at the rear bumper and the 5er cord easily reaches it.



------------

We got the following and have been very pleased with them:



- The Tekonsha Prodigy has been great for us. However, Tekonsha has a newer version out with a large LCD display. The original Prodigy has a LED display.



- The Pullrite Super 5th with the Super Rail brackets. (All brackets remove from the bed)



- Don't forget to consider a new louvered 5er tailgate. Removing the tailgate is a chore (its heavy) and lowering it to hitch and unhitch gets old real fast too...



Good luck!

 

[DonTX]

I went thru four brake controllers before I found the Prodigy did what I was wanting it to do.

I oped for a Reese 16K hitch that tilts both ways, been quite happy with it.

Always looking for a bargain, I bought the hitch and controller on EBay, I have less than $100 in the pair.

 

[dspoon]

Prodigy controllers are far the best I have used and for a FW hitch http/www.etrailer.com/signature_series. asp

 

[p-Bar]

I don't know if their are any "smart controllers" that look at the speed you are going to determine how much braking. I find I have it set up well for general driving then if I drive slow and brake the wheels lock up . Using a Tekonsha Voyager.

 

[Grizzly]

I'm very pleased with my Pullrite Hitch w/ the Super Bracket and my BrakeSmart Controller. I don't believe there's a better combination out there.

 

[KBalzuweit]

I have close to 400,000 miles of towing on a Prodigy and it has NEVER failed me. I have also been running Husky 5th wheel hitches for 250,000 or so miles and they have also been great.

If I had an 8ft bed I would have upgraded to an air hitch. You could also go with an air pin box if you want to keep the cost down.

Hope you enjoy your new rig!!