Recommendations for 5th Wheel Hitch

[CTD 600]

Looking to purchase a 5th wheel hitch. The warranty is voided if you drill into the new hydro-form frame. Is there any brand that doesn't drill into the frame? Favorate brands?



I plan on installing it myself. Is there any tricks or warnings that I should know about?



Should I purchase the 5th wheel hitch after I buy the trailer if there could be a chance it couldn't fit correctly?



The trailer would weigh appx. 10,000 lbs. Thanks for the info.

 

[klaybus]

I own a HiJacker & love it but mine is a 2nd gen that you bolt to the frame so I dunno about what they offer for the 3rd gens but I would definately look into it. A great hitch with a very positine locking mechanism IMHO... .



Good luck,

Clay

 

[klenger]

Check out the PullRite Super 5th.

http://www.klenger.net/dodge/pullrite/index.html

 

[Sarge]

Valley also makes a hitch named "Husky" that works very well. Has a clamp on system to mount to the frame, no drilling. Double piviot head, 16K, and has a "hook" locking jaw to secure the pin, instead of the "pinch" type that Reese uses. The hook system is superior for stopping bucking of the 5ver, and the "clank" caused by other hitches.

 

[JJ Jackson]

CTD 600, almost all the fifth wheel hitch Mfr's have a clamp on style hitch for the Hydro-form. I have a Hi-jacker but if I was to do it again I'd recommend the B&W turnover ball with companion fifth-wheel hitch. It mounts underneath the bed so you dont have those 1 1/8" bars protruding from the floor of the bed. It can also be used as a goose-neck if you ever pull one. There more pricey than the bed rail mount but much more convenient if you use the bed of your truck for work. The fifth wheel companion also splits into two pieces so it is lighter to carry, especially after a hard weekend trip of motorcycling..... Jim

 

[Fireman]

PullRite. I haven't found anything I like better, and if you don't mind spending the $$$ get the SuperRails. Easy install, no drilling,clean bed.



Fireman

 

[CTD 600]

I think a big concern would be the use of the bed when not towing a trailer. Thanks for the info.

 

[J&LRam]

CTD 600

drilling a frame voids warranty ?? Someone give you some very bad info. TSB 13-001-03 has been out since 2-7-03 that gives the specs to drill/weld on the new hydroformed frames. See Dodge Body Builders Guide for these specs. My 5er brakets were welded 45000 miles ago with no probs.

If you plan on buying the trailer from a RV dealer they will install a hitch as part of the deal. My only suggestion on a hitch is be sure to get a four way pivot style. The brand isn't important as one is not superior to any of the others as far as quality/reliability... ... ... ... ... .

 

[CajunDieselMan]

I agree with Sarge. I like my Husky hitch

 

[BSchulte]

CTD 600

Just had the pullrite superglide with superrails put in my 04.

Wow what a hitch!! This unit enables you to have a clean bed after the hitch is taken out. Also there is no need to make any alterations to your frame. As you have read, they are expensive. However, they are worry free for any tight situations or potential emergencies. I got alotta static for paying so much on a hitch from my travel companions, until they seen it work. One of them has already junked out their old hitch and purchased a superglide. I figure, one smack against the cab or the trailer just paid for the hitch and then some.

Food for thought.

 

[claymas]

Agree with the Husky. Installed a 16K w/brackets on my 3500 towing a 33ft Titanium. Like it better than the LiL Rocker previously used on my 98.

 

[CTD 600]

Thanks for the recommendations. Is the 4 way piviot the best? I looked and seen a air ride hitch. Is the 4 way or air ride a waste of money?

 

[YOOPERVIC]

I've used Pullrite hitches for years and have been very satisfied... ,and then I

discovered the Reese Signature series. Whatta hitch! Mine is a 24K, looks good, is easy to use and leaves you with a flat bed when the hitch is removed. Also, the installed price was under $1,000. 00. Good luck. If you

got any questions, my e-mail is -- email address removed --

 

[RMcCulloch]

Thanks for the recommendations. Is the 4 way piviot the best? I looked and seen a air ride hitch. Is the 4 way or air ride a waste of money?

Not in my opinion! :-laf



I'm inordinately fond of my EasyRider air-suspension hitch: it really DOES live up to its "hype".



Mine is installed using the Reese rails and 3rd gen brackets.



Whatever hitch you get, make sure that you get one with 4-way pivot. Not only will it make hitching simpler on a slope, it'll also make non-level turns work a lot easier.

 

[rschmitt]

I went with a goose neck and I like it very much. Wouldn't do it any other way.



Iboufgt a B&W GN and installed it in half day. No drilling required other than the hole in the bed.



Also get the use of the truck by inverting the ball in the hitch.





Roger Schmitt



Lake Havasu City, AZ

 

[DHamblet]

I just finished installing a Reese 16k in my brand new 05 RAM 3500 TD QC 4wd. You need to get the Dodge mounting kit. But you still drill the frame in like 6 places and pull bolts thru with a long wire. Its quite a job if you've never done one and u need to follow the instructions explicitly. My understanding is Dodge doesn't want you drilling the frame below a certain level and thats why Reese makes a special Dodge mounting kit.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Guys I know this is bringing up an old post but...



I am in the market for a 5th wheel. I am prepared to spend about 1000 bucks.



I have heard good things about Pullrite but I am reading about lateral pivot being a "feature" but it is my understanding that this is sort of inconsistent with the idea of a 5th wheel hitch... I will be on the road 100% of the time.



Any thoughts?



BTW Looking for a 25,000# rated hitch.

 

[klaybus]

5vr Hitch

I've got a HiJacker 16k double pivot thats awesome. I'm sure there are better but this is reasonably priced & the performance has been great FWIW.



Clay

 

[JRMora]

Guys I know this is bringing up an old post but...



I am in the market for a 5th wheel. I am prepared to spend about 1000 bucks.



I have heard good things about Pullrite but I am reading about lateral pivot being a "feature" but it is my understanding that this is sort of inconsistent with the idea of a 5th wheel hitch... I will be on the road 100% of the time.



Any thoughts?



BTW Looking for a 25,000# rated hitch.

I have a B&W with a 4 way pivot on the head.



No, it's not just a "feature", it allows for lateral (side to side) movement of the trailer on the hitch. One area this becomes very helpful is when hitching or unhitching when the truck and trailer aren't level to one another. At a lot of the SP and NP campgrounds around here the side to side level of the sites is horrible (I ran out of "lego blocks" levelling my trailer). The side to side pivot allows me to unhitch and hitch without any binding on the king pin.



Should you get it? You won't notice if you have it, but you'll probably notice it if you don't.



Just this man's opinion.



Juan

 

[firemanram]

18K sig.

I installed the 18K Signature 5th wheel hitch ( under the bed system ). It is for the hydro frame so it does't void the warranty. I really like the hitch. I think I paid $680 for it. The 16k is a two way pivet and the 18k is a four way pivet. There are plugs that go into the holes when the hitch is out of the truck, so the bed is flat!