Which 5W hitch to get?

[jsgordon]

Pretty sure the answer will begin with "well that depends on...", but I have to ask anyways. Will be towing a 345BHTS(13,250 GVWR) with a Ram 3500 MegaCab w/ short bed (21,000 GCWR/13,250 max trailer), looking to use an automatic sliding 5W hitch. According to both Dodge and Jayco the 3500/345BHTS combo doesn't exceed any limitations.
So:
Which hitch manufacturer?
14k, 16k....?
automatic vs. manual
upgrade the pin box? if yes, then to what?
are airbags worth the $$?

Thanks for the advice.

[Ela1948]

I'm using a pullrite 16000 lb. superslide mounted on traditional rails. Has worked very well. Am possibly going to get a new truck with factory pucks and gooseneck ball. Am seriously considering The Andersen ultimate hitch which connects to the gooseneck ball. A lot of folks have very good things to say about it. The one down side to the pullrite is that it is a pain to hook up when the truck is at an angle.

[LegalEagle]

I have a 323LKTS that I pull with a short bed crew cab Ford F250. I got the Curt manual slider hitch, 20K because I prefer a hitch that exceeds the weight I'm pulling. To my great surprise, I've had the hitch now and 2 different trailers for 2 and a half years, and never had to release the slide at all. Most front caps on fifth wheels today account for short bed towing. I almost bought a super slider hitch that was twice as much money, because I thought I'd need the flexibility. Glad I didn't spend the money. Mine works just fine for half the cost. If doing it again, I would seriously check out the Anderson Ultimate.

[Bad-Air]

I have had my Pull-Rite since 2003, and love it! Having said that, the new Hitchiker Auto-slider is more "up to date", as you do not need an adapter plate. I had problems with my 2003 6.0 Ford, (but that's a story by itself!) and was a nuisance having to pull 10 or 12 bolts with nuts that held the plate to the inbox. BUT, Pullrite now has a "quick fit" (my term)that is real easy to remove!
To me, the lack of having to worry about cab to RV contact is worth it. And as a side item, when making a backing turn into a spot, you are assisted a bit by the slider helping in the turn..
Another thing I checked on, is if one gets a new long-bed, the slider will work just fine in that, including on the new rail systems.
And I have "parralel parked" in a space only a few feet longer than the trailer! Once in, I pulled the pins on the head to hitch, and jacked up the trailer, leaving the head on the pin box! (Was it easy re-hooking - NO! Had to make numerous try's, as has to be close to perfect to get the rockers in the slots")
Sorry this got long...

[Jmooney]

I have a Pull Rite Super Glide 16K in my Ram 3500 Mega Cab - works well, although very heavy and you will need to consider a winch on the garage ceiling to load in into/out of the bed.


ela1948 is correct in that the angle is limited to 15* to lock/unlock from the pin..... makes it tough sometimes if the site or lot doesn't give you enough runway


5er weighs in at 11,800 GVWR
1700lbs tongue weight
Ram payload is ~ 4000lbs, and I am adding bags this weekend because , while its manageable, the sag is 4-5 inches on the rear and makes the front end a bit loose

[Edd505]

[QUOTE=
So:
Which hitch manufacturer?
14k, 16k....?
automatic vs. manual
upgrade the pin box? if yes, then to what?
are airbags worth the $$?

Thanks for the advice.[/QUOTE]

Air bags, I have them on a 250 Super duty and love the ride it gives with a no frills 15K Reese. No sag with a 10K plus on the 250. Just don't run them without air it can damage them. Checking TV tire, trailer tire and air bag pressure is part of my pretrip inspection.

[ArmyColonel]

Andersenhitches.com Ultimate 5th Wheel hitch works great in my short bed.

[poohbear]

Originally Posted by ArmyColonel

Andersenhitches.com Ultimate 5th Wheel hitch works great in my short bed.

I had been back and forth replacing my Reese 16K with either a BW Patriot 18K or the Andersen.Good friend bought a used dually with the old style flipover ball and he got Andersen.After seeing his I "drank the kool-aide "and ordered the aluminum Ultimate,got here yesterday.
I was ordering the Patriot from a well known online store and got to talking ,the folks there only use Andersen on their big 5ers and pullrites on their smaller 5ers ,these guys sale all the major brands..

[Ela1948]

Originally Posted by poohbear

I had been back and forth replacing my Reese 16K with either a BW Patriot 18K or the Andersen.Good friend bought a used dually with the old style flipover ball and he got Andersen.After seeing his I "drank the kool-aide "and ordered the aluminum Ultimate,got here yesterday.
I was ordering the Patriot from a well known online store and got to talking ,the folks there only use Andersen on their big 5ers and pullrites on their smaller 5ers ,these guys sale all the major brands..

Interesting!!!! Seems that everyone that has them are very happy.

[Bish324]

I have a 2005 Dodge 3500 crew cab short bed with a Curt 16K hitch. I went with the Reese Revolution king pin and love it!!! I never have to worry about sliding the hitch. I can turn my 2015 29.5 BHDS around in my front yard with ease.

[dpi7800]

I also have the Reese Revelution pin box and have the Reese Titan 16k hitch. This is my first 5er but so far this newbie loves this set up for my short bed Ram 2500. I also like the way the hitch breaks down into 2 manageable peices for removal or reinstalation.

[imjustdave]

B&W makes a great hitch as well. Suppressed no one else has mentioned them yet. It's the only one I have ever used but I have no complaints and it rides nice. I can hitch at any angle and have had no issues if I was buying again I would

[gtsum2]

Really like my b&w puck (for ram) hitch. Built like a tank and silent with no clunking etc. only other hitch i would consider would be the Hensley ts3...but I need more payload/truck for that and my pin weight

[edatlanta]

B&W Companion here. Love it.

[yellowdog00]

Pullrite Super Glide 2700 18k with pullrite pic frame adapter. I'm liking it so far.

[Widows Son]

I have the Curt Q20 for the factory puck mounts in my Ram 3500 dually. I like it a lot and works like a champ.

[Jack 56]

I have a hitchiker autoslide hitch for my 2015 36KTPS, 2011 2500 GMC short bed. I needed to install a capture plate because I have a moryde pin box.I am very happy with the autoslide function it has been very helpful when I needed to get out of a tight spot in trffic without having to get out of the truck to release the hitch. Turns 90 degrees to the truck. When the hitch is out I just have 4 holes in the bed that platic plugs go in. I am so glad I went with the autoslide hitch.