Huminie
Garlic Capital of the World, California
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Joined: 03/30/2007
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I am going to attempt to purchase a fiver this weekend. The fiver's loaded weight is rated at 16k. I plan to pull it with the truck in my sig.
I want to do some research before hand to know what kind of hitch gear I should be looking at. Safety is my primary concern, followed by minimal residual gear in the bed when removed, and then ease of removing/storing. (Chime in if I have overlooked something.)
Basically I want to be able to intelligently decide if whether having the dealer do the work for will be worth my while. I don't plan to do it myself either way, but I want to find out the ball park prices of the recommended units and be able to call around to local places and find out if A) if they sell any of them and how much it will cost to buy and have them install or B) if I purchase elsewhere (like online) how much will they charge to install for me.
It will be nice to confidently say something like "I can buy that same set up from X down the street for $Y installed", or "I can buy that online for $X so you would be charging me $XXXX to install it?". Hopefully you get the jist.
TIA for any help!
-Adam
2008 Utah Trip
2008 F-350 Super Duty FX4 DRW 6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel
2008 Keystone Montana 3400RL Fifth Wheel
1 Beautiful Wife - Sherry
2 Great Kids - Angelica 16 / Jocelyn 11
2 Yorkshire Terriers - Pico (12 lbs) & Peanut (5.5 lbs)
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Vulcaneer
Northern New England
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Joined: 10/17/2007
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Short bed or long bed?
2006 F350 V10 4X4 SC SB SRW 4.30 22,500 GCWR
Keystone Sprinter 33'9" 12,500 GVWR
Pullrite Super Glide 18K
Super Duty, Super Cab, SuperGlide
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Huminie
Garlic Capital of the World, California
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Joined: 03/30/2007
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Long bed. Here
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sljkansas
Miami Co. Kansas
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Joined: 09/28/2005
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If you want a clear floor when hitched is removed, I went with the B&W with the companion. A Co worker just bought one and the dealer was screwing up the installation, he took it home and had it installed in about an hour and a half including time to read the directions. Look here at the hitch.
Steve & Linda
Son married (1 DIL, 3 granddaughters 1 grandson)
Daughter in College
Miami CO. Kansas
2004 F350 CC dually 8ft bed 6.0 PSD
2009 Bighorn 3670RL
B&W under bed hitch with 18k companion hitch
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Vulcaneer
Northern New England
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Joined: 10/17/2007
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Huminie wrote:Long bed. Here
Nice truck there.
You say it's a long bed, so I believe you. Photos make it look like a short bed, to me. For a long bed just select a good proven non-sliding hitch. 18K should do it.
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Huminie
Garlic Capital of the World, California
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Ya, the angled pics are a bit deceiving, but I am certain it is the 172" wheelbase.
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newk
Gillette, WY
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Joined: 08/18/2007
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I was looking at a loaded up F450 last week at the local dealer -- the only one he had in stock. The dealership had the B&W Companion hitch already installed. Salesman said anyone wanting that truck would want the hitch, so they installed it when they got the truck in. Looked like a nice setup. I think I'd be happy with it.
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Angel_Taz
Western Massachusetts
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Joined: 04/25/2007
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I've got the B&W Companion also, very easy to put in or take out of the truck, even for an old phart like me.
2008 Chev. C4500 Kodiak , Duramax Ali. 6sp 4:56 rear, Monroe 11'custom body B&W fifth wheel hitch.
2005 Mountain Aire 35BLKS 5er
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okie guy
OKC, OK
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Joined: 12/06/2007
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I have the B&W companion hitch and love it! I ordered mine through the dealer and paid $600 with free installation when I picked up my 5er. It is so easy to hook up and unhook I wouldn't want another hitch. When you unhook you raise the 5er up with the jacks and the latch opens when the pressure is released. It is much easier than my buddies hitch. He is constantly trying to figure out if it has released or if the latch locked shut.
Good luck with which ever hitch you choose.
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Huminie
Garlic Capital of the World, California
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Joined: 03/30/2007
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Ok, so I can't find a real good place local that sells the B$W and installs it. How hard are these things to install? Looks like I can get the 2 components online for about $1000. Is this something I should just do myself?
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