5th wheel hitch options

[DB Family]

Originally Posted by Pammac36

We just brought our 321RSTS home this weekend, we use the Andersen Ultimate hitch and love it! Good luck, happy camping!

Congratulations! When you have time could provide an overview of your turning radius and how close you will get to the rear window. Considering same trailer with a F350 7.1L CC SWB.

[H20mike6]

I am ordering a 2022 F350 and 2022 Eagle 319MLOK so will have a similar set up to yours and I'm looking at which hitch to get. I want something I can remove from the bed so considering the B&W Companion OEM non slider and the Anderson Ultimate. Do you still like your B&W and have you needed the slider yet? Thanks.

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by H20mike6

I am ordering a 2022 F350 and 2022 Eagle 319MLOK so will have a similar set up to yours and I'm looking at which hitch to get. I want something I can remove from the bed so considering the B&W Companion OEM non slider and the Anderson Ultimate. Do you still like your B&W and have you needed the slider yet? Thanks.

Do yourself a favor, go with the B&W Companion.

[Nature Ist]

Originally Posted by H20mike6

I am ordering a 2022 F350 and 2022 Eagle 319MLOK so will have a similar set up to yours and I'm looking at which hitch to get. I want something I can remove from the bed so considering the B&W Companion OEM non slider and the Anderson Ultimate. Do you still like your B&W and have you needed the slider yet? Thanks.

On my F-250 with the B&W hitch (as described earlier with the set-up in the forward-of-axle position) I have only used the slide option a couple of times in 2 years, and we've put over 10,000 miles on the camper already. If you want to get away without the slider, you can set it in the rearward over axle position and probably get by. I am happy with the slider because it's nice to know I have some wiggle room if I am backing at a sharp angle on uneven ground. If you are in a site that you cannot have your truck and trailer almost perfectly in line, you may not be able to lower the tailgate until you un-couple and move forward a few inches. That can lead to the pin box hitting the raised tailgate if you don't have someone watching it for you.
For what it's worth, when I take my hitch out of the truck, I put some plywood down on the bed and tailgate and slide it down some planks. It is much easier with the head removed, though you won't pick it up like the Anderson.

[norty1]

We have been pulling our rig with the Anderson Ultimate for almost a year. It does take some getting used to a new way to do things if you are used to pulling with a conventual fifth wheel hitch as we have for almost 20 years.

I always wanted a short bed without a sliding hitch and this fits the bill for us.

[H20mike6]

Originally Posted by WV Camper

At least for Chevrolet, "Standard Bed" is the 6' 9" bed and the 8' bed is labeled as "long Bed"

Thats always been my impression, especially now with the 5.5 beds on the 150/1500s

[H20mike6]

Originally Posted by TWP723

Do yourself a favor, go with the B&W Companion.

Do you think I'll be ok w/o the slider? It seems that most that don't have it have no regrets, and most that do have it, hardly ever use it. But there is always that one time right?

[Cincinnati Kid]

[QUOTE=Nature Ist;964638]On my F-250 with the B&W hitch (as described earlier with the set-up in the forward-of-axle position)

Thinking of moving to the forward position, too. I am pretty sure that it will hit my tonneau cover, but I can work around that. I'm worried about the gap between the tailgate and trailer- how close does yours get?

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by H20mike6

Do you think I'll be ok w/o the slider? It seems that most that don't have it have no regrets, and most that do have it, hardly ever use it. But there is always that one time right?

8ft bed?

[norty1]

[QUOTE=Cincinnati Kid;964650]

Originally Posted by Nature Ist

On my F-250 with the B&W hitch (as described earlier with the set-up in the forward-of-axle position)

Thinking of moving to the forward position, too. I am pretty sure that it will hit my tonneau cover, but I can work around that. I'm worried about the gap between the tailgate and trailer- how close does yours get?

I purchased a tri-fold tonneau and it did hit the front of the hitch. I called the company and they exchanged it for a roll-up tonneau cover at no additional price.
It works perfectly.

[Nature Ist]

[QUOTE=Cincinnati Kid;964650]

Originally Posted by Nature Ist

On my F-250 with the B&W hitch (as described earlier with the set-up in the forward-of-axle position)

Thinking of moving to the forward position, too. I am pretty sure that it will hit my tonneau cover, but I can work around that. I'm worried about the gap between the tailgate and trailer- how close does yours get?

I didn't have a tailgate clearance problem with the B&W head mounted in the rear position, and certainly don't in the forward position. It was only an issue when sliding the hitch back that 12" if you couldn't open the tailgate. Of course, there's the option of towing with the tailgate removed. What's difficult here is that we are all comparing notes on different truck manufacturers with different specs, and even some variation with the same mfg from one year to another. It's getting to the point we need take the truck, trailer, and try different hitches in a dealer's lot. That's asking for the moon!
For every plus, there seems to be a minus!

[H20mike6]

Originally Posted by TWP723

8ft bed?

No 6ft 9in on the Ford standard or short bed.

[Chiggins]

Pullrite auto sliding hitch is amazing. Never have to worry having a short bed truck. It just works. Going on 5 or 6 years with mine and no regrets.

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by H20mike6

No 6ft 9in on the Ford standard or short bed.

Sliding hitches are only useful when you need them. Trick is, not to get into a situation where you'll need one. Most towing won't require you to have a slider. Most people I know that have them never use them because they don't get themselves in the predicament to need it. The idea of a sliding hitch is pretty ingenious but, for the normal Joe..it may be a waste of money. Just need to be aware of your situation at all times.

[jetlag]

Originally Posted by norty1

We have been pulling our rig with the Anderson Ultimate for almost a year. It does take some getting used to a new way to do things if you are used to pulling with a conventual fifth wheel hitch as we have for almost 20 years.

I always wanted a short bed without a sliding hitch and this fits the bill for us.

We are new at this, and after much reading online I was sold on the ultimate hitch. I have seen the failure tests on it and all the weight advantages, heck my bride can load the darn thing on the truck! This will probably be the way we go unless I am missing something. Hauling a 150+ pound hitch on and off the truck not my idea of fun.