Help on 5th wheel hitches

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Just bought a y2k Ram 2500, Cummins, auto, with camper/trailer option, Michelin LT265x75R16 on alloys. Plan on pulling a 10k(+/-), 5'ver travel trailer and thinking about getting a Drawtite 15k hitch and digital brake controller.
Anybody have any better suggestions or good/bad experience ?? Any suggestions on hitches & controllers ??

 

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Norb,

Regardless of the brand, get one that tilts side to side. It's not the un-hooking thats the problem, it's the hooking back up. If the 5th wheel & truck are not sitting on the same tilt, or both on flat ground, you end up putting 2x4's under 1 side of the truck to get connected. A real pain. The side to side tilters were created just for that purpose.

 

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I second what Forrest has said.

Furthur, I think the side to side swivel hitch is easier on the truck and the driver. When I am towing my fiver I often find myself on 2-lane mountain roads with short curves and rapid "bank" changes, with a non-swivel hitch you can have the bank of the road where the truck is at be somewhat different than where the trailer is at -- this tends (in my mind) to introduce a twist in to the truck which our travel trailer friends with a ball hitch (or goose neck trailers) don't have.

[This message has been edited by Nelson Buck (edited 02-23-2000). ]

 

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I agree with the previous post's. Be sure to get one that swivels both ways. I would also go ahead with a 20,000 lb hitch. You never know when you might go to a bigger trailer. Most controlers work well. So are a little better than others and have more features.

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97,ext cab,4x4,5spd,US Gear box.

 

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Hi Norb;

I have used two different types of 5th wheel hitchs over the years---one floor mount and one over the fender well mount. I like both except for the bother of the hitch when not towing, so now am just about to buy (for the new '01), a goose neck type where there is only a ball mounted in the floor when not towing, and even that can be "flipped" over for a flat bed. I was originally a little skeptical, but find that the weight rating of this type hitch can be much more than most typical 5th wheel hitches. The "Cody" hitch (mentioned in a TDR post recently) and adaptor coupling for the 5th wheel King pin are rated at 30K and 24K respectively.
I have an Oregon source that quotes a price over a $100 less than the "Cody" web page.

Vaughn

 

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You might want to take a look at the Pullrite 20,500#er. It's very compact, yet sturdy. The four way swivel head seperates from the pyramid base for easy removel. The bed mounting rails are flat so as not to interfer with normal pickup operations.

Got mine from Camping World for $575 with PC discount and $50 off coupon. I think CW is discontinuing the Pullrite line so you should be able to get a good deal.

Pullrite's customer service is top notch! Called them on two occassions and they always returned my calls.

If you decide to get one BE SURE TO GET THE CUSTOM BRACKETS FOR THE RAM FRAME. They are longer than the generic brackets so you will have more lattitude in positioning the mount.

Finally, who ever installs what ever mount you chose, be sure to tell them NOT TO DRILL ANY HOLES IN THE TRUCK FRAME EITHER IN OR WITHIN 1. 5" OF THE TOP OR BOTTOM FLANGES.

Ron.

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'00,2500,4x4,QC,LB,6spd,3. 54,4wABS,Camper-Trailer packs,BD Brake,Pullrite 20. 5K 5hitch,Tekonsha EnvoySV,CobraCB,Flame Red/Silver.

 

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Norb,

This is kind of off topic, but I would recommend a rear anti-sway bar, if you don't already have one. It adds stability to the truck while towing the 5'er. The 5th wheel hitch gets pushed right or left as the wind pushes one side or the other of the 5th wheel. When the hitch gets pushed to a side, it 'rolls' or leans the truck to that side away from the direction the wind is blowing. The rear anti-sway bar controls that roll or lean.

To me, that roll creates an 'un-stable' feel. Nothing bad happens when you get the roll, just the 'feel'. My 95 was the same truck that I have now, except for the V-10 & anti sway bar. Big difference. #ad

 

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I would advise a floor mounted hitch over the over fender well type. The goose neck set up is much more aggrivating to hook up than the fifth wheel pin type. I converted my Holiday to a goose-neck while I owned my previous truck,(PSD) and went back to a fifth wheel hitch. Prior to that I had an over the wheel-well hitch. Go with the floor mount. Pull-Rite, Reese, ect.

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97,ext cab,4x4,5spd,US Gear box.

 

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Larry Smith... Could you be more specific on the aggravation of using the goose neck hitch? I am considering the gooseneck type but have no experience with them.

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1996 Dodge Cummins Club Cab, 2500, automatic with a 3. 54, claret red pearl coat,matching bed cover, Jacobs E-brake, K&N, 19,278 miles.