Which 5th Wheel?

[TCrawley]

Is there a 5th wheel for a 4. 5 2500 swb 4X4 that can easily detatch when not in use. I saw one somewhere that is removed by four cotter pins leaving an empty box. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I live in Windsor, Canada and would also like to know a good dealership for having a 5th wheel installed. Thanks once again

 

[HBarlow]

TCrawley:



On the advice of another TDR member, Bill Stockard, I recently purchased a new Reese 20k fifth wheel (hitch) to tow the used 5er I bought. The Reese fifth wheel can easily be removed from my truck. It is attached by hitch pins to two parallel rails which are bolted to the frame and bed. When the pins are pulled the hitch assembly can be quickly and easily removed leaving only the rails in the bed. I think all Reese products are the same but don't have any knowledge of other competing brands.



Sorry, can't recommend any Canadian installers.



Harvey

 

[JohnnyH]

Pullrite makes hitches that are totally removable. When you are done you only have 4 1 3/4" holes in the bed. Takes about 3 minutes, and that includes carrying the hitch into the garage.

 

[Bertram65]

Reese has a new line of hitches they recently introduced, the signature series. I installed one of the 18K slide models in my truck, you can remove it and all it leaves is four 2-1/2" "pucks" on the bed floor. I started a thread about it a week or so ago in this forum, there are some pictures of it there. The signature series is different from the standard Reese hitch, it has new features and a longer 7 year warrantee.

 

[klenger]

See http://www.klenger.net/dodge/pullrite/hitch-slide-show/slide01.html for my PullRite installation.

 

[tae73]

B&W Turnover Ball!!

Go for the b&w turnover ball and companion hitch, cost a little more. I use to have the reese, didnt like it becuase it leaves the bars in the bed. Can be a real pain getting things in and out of the bed. The turnover ball leave the bed clean and nothing sticking up.

 

[RustyJC]

Go for the b&w turnover ball and companion hitch, cost a little more.

The B&W may or may not be what he needs for a short bed truck - he more than likely needs a "slider" hitch depending on the width, geometry, pin box, etc. of his 5th wheel as well as hitch placement relative to the rear axle centerline.



Note - I'm not anti-B&W since I have one. It's just not always the right choice for a short bed truck, depending on what's being towed.



Rusty

 

[tae73]

I have a shortbed 4x4 and a wide body 5er 102", I dont have any problems turning or backing. I havent hit my cab, "yet" and get close to jack kniving. I know not having a slider and a shortbed is not a good idea. I did at one time have a slider. And with my house behing on a slight hill. The slider was a pain in the butt. If you was pointed down hill, even if I choked the camper tires and help the trailer brake down I couldnt get the slider disengage. And if I was pointed up hill when I would disengage the slider the camper would slide and acted like it would damn near ripe the bed of the camper the with impact. So yes just depends on his situation. For me its not worth a slider but in his case it might be... .



Ted

 

[RRoton]

www.pullrite.com



Read about the pullrite superglide

 

[RustyJC]

I know not having a slider and a shortbed is not a good idea.

Ted,



Which was my intended point. Depending on how the geometry and measurements stack up, cab to trailer interference is a possibility. At the end of the day, he has to weigh the pluses and minuses of a conventional hitch versus a slider and make his decision. I was only trying to ensure that his decision was an informed one.



Rusty

 

[Jim Smith]

I have a older 16k Reese but would surely look at the new Reese or the Pullrite. Getting a clear bed floor is a real advantage.

 

[Bertram65]

I just put in the new Reese signature series 18K hitch with a slide. Tows real nice, this afternoon I carefully tried making a tight circle and then backing into my driveway without sliding the hitch back, no problem. Makes me wonder if I really needed the slide? With the trailer I have it would seem I could get away without it in all but the tightest of turns or on unlevel surfaces. The slide mechanism works very nicely, locks in place when it slides back or forward all you have to do it put in the safetly lock pin after.

 

[tae73]

I think that a person can get away with not having the slider. As long as a person takes his time and watches where he turns and backsup.

 

[FCecelin]

I have one of the reese 18K Signature series ,non slider. Works well and is easy to take out . Can be taken out in pieces if neccessary. .

 

[BigMike]

I have an RBW Lil Rocker. Pull 4 pins and I have an empty bed. All that's left is the 2 rails. It's come in real handy for me this summer cuz I've been hauling all kinds of stuff I need around the new house. It's going back in the truck next week. I'm goin camping!!