5th wheel Hitch Question.

[priv8pilot]

Ok I am planning on a purchase of a Jayco 5th wheel trailer that weighs in as:
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 13500 (lbs)
Dry Hitch Weight 2735 (lbs)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 16500(lbs)
My truck Tow rating is MAX 14500 (lbs)
I am driving the truck 1450 miles to pick the trailer up from a dealer. Then hooking it up and towing it back home as it sits from the dealer. Not adding water, propane or any other items. Just a 3 to 4 day drive home. Once home the trailer will be parked in a RV park full time for the next 7 to 8 years until retirement. If it is moved again it will be short trips with this truck. When the time comes a new tow vehicle will be bought and we will travel in it.
So the question is this. For the 5th wheel hitch do I purchase the 16k hitch or the 18k hitch. There is a big price difference between the two. Any preference in brand type?
Thanks,
Steve

[Bookemdanno]

Your opening a big can of worms. But if it were me I'd go with the 18k and you can always move it over to the new truck down the road. I have B&W 18k and love it.

[jasum]

I agree with boomerang......go with the 18.

I have a Reese 18k

[jasum]

Was SUPPOSED to have been......bookemdano

I love autocorrect

[jasum]

Most dealers will fill your propane tanks......you already paid for it.....

[Jagiven]

Personally, I would look at an Ultimate Hitch by Anderson. It weights next to nothing and you could easily hang it on a garage wall or ceiling for the next few years.

[Rmgrose]

My dad got a low end Reese 16k hitch cheap and after seeing my curt q20k was impressed with its spring action jaws, slider, easy (un)hooking. He's looking to upgrade. I'll mention too that my hitch came from Craigslist for about a quarter of the price of new(less than what he paid new), just do some more research. With design changes with new trucks and products like Anderson ultimate hitch, I would get a good condition used hitch personally knowing I could sell it and buy all new when the time comes.

[cariboocreek]

Maybe I misunderstood your question. Your trailer has a max weight of 16.5k and you are asking about getting a 16k hitch. If I understand correctly then you have answered it for yourself.

18k.

[3'senough]

Can you borrow one? Seems like a large investment for something you are not going to need or use for a long time.

Do you have any pre prep from the factory in your TV? Goose neck?

Also look on Craigslist for possible used one that you could resell with minimal loss for this one time pull.

I have a 20K head on mine.

[ingo.bauer]

Just curious.. What kinda truck do you have ?

Originally Posted by priv8pilot

Ok I am planning on a purchase of a Jayco 5th wheel trailer that weighs in as:
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 13500 (lbs)
Dry Hitch Weight 2735 (lbs)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 16500(lbs)
My truck Tow rating is MAX 14500 (lbs)
I am driving the truck 1450 miles to pick the trailer up from a dealer. Then hooking it up and towing it back home as it sits from the dealer. Not adding water, propane or any other items. Just a 3 to 4 day drive home. Once home the trailer will be parked in a RV park full time for the next 7 to 8 years until retirement. If it is moved again it will be short trips with this truck. When the time comes a new tow vehicle will be bought and we will travel in it.
So the question is this. For the 5th wheel hitch do I purchase the 16k hitch or the 18k hitch. There is a big price difference between the two. Any preference in brand type?
Thanks,
Steve

[Bobx2]

Save your money, and get the 16K. Sell it when you get the trailer home so you don't have to store it. Otherwise, if you aren't going to max out your trailer, which would be well beyond the towing max of your truck, 16K will be more than plenty.