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proscriptus
Vermont
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Joined: 07/28/2022
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Hi everyone,
I'm an automotive writer with a major (ish) site, and I'm putting together a 5th Wheel Hitch Buyer's Guide. I've been doing a lot of reading, watched videos, and talked to a couple of acquaintances who tow, but that's a small sample size and it's easy to miss important information when you don't have first-hand experience—I've done lots of bumper towing, but never with a 5th wheel.
I'd love some input from knowledgeable people about what to look for when buying a 5th wheel hitch, what to avoid, and any personal experiences with specific brands or models. I'm happy to provide my email in a PM if anyone wants to talk off the record.
Thanks,
Dave
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MNRon
Tennessee
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Joined: 08/18/2007
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B&W if you have a longbed, SuperGlide if you have a short bed. Not the detail you’re looking for, but at the end of your research I expect you’ll land there ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
Ron & Pat
2022 F350 Lariat CCSB SRW Diesel
2019 VanLeigh Vilano 320 GK
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2112
Texas
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Joined: 07/16/2011
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MNRon wrote:B&W if you have a longbed, SuperGlide if you have a short bed. Not the detail you’re looking for, but at the end of your research I expect you’ll land there I followed this advice and realized I wasted a whole lot of money. Not all short beds need a slider and the SuperGlide can be a pain to work with.
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost SuperCab Max Tow, 2084# Payload, 11,300# Tow,
Timbrens, PullRite SuperGlide 2700 15K
2013 KZ Durango 2857
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ReneeG
Meridian, Idaho
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Joined: 07/13/2005
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2112 wrote:MNRon wrote:B&W if you have a longbed, SuperGlide if you have a short bed. Not the detail you’re looking for, but at the end of your research I expect you’ll land there I followed this advice and realized I wasted a whole lot of money. Not all short beds need a slider and the SuperGlide can be a pain to work with.
We too purchased a slider for our short bed and never used it, but that doesn't mean others wouldn't either.
2011 Bighorn 3055RL
2011 F350 DRW 6.7L 4x4 Diesel Lariat and Hensley TrailerSaver BD3
1992 Jeep ZJ and 1978 Coleman Concord Pop-Up for remote camping
Dave & Renee plus (Champ, Molly, Paris, Missy, and Maggie in spirit), Mica and Mabel, both Rat Terriers!
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BB_TX
McKinney, Texas
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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B&W, Reese, Pulrite, Curt all make very good 5th wheel hitches and all have their fans. And of course the gooseneck fans and the Andersen hitch fans. And they all think theirs is the best. Sort of like which truck is best, Ford, GM, or Ram. Take your choice.
I was very happy with a Pulrite Super 5th in one truck and a Reese Elite in another. Both had a wrap around locking jaw for a very secure latch.
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ReneeG
Meridian, Idaho
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On a higher end priced hitch, I would recommend a Hensley TrailerSaver - their motto is and they are proud to say, "the name says it all", and yes, I agree. There are several models for different weights of FWs. We have a 13k GVWR FW and purchased the TrailerSaver BD3. It has airbags, smooth ride, we arrive with nothing out of place in the trailer (but the suspension assists here too). Another huge advantage is that it comes apart in pieces for a one person easy removal. It has a Holland Binkley head for a secure hookup. There is no mistaking you're securely attached with this type of head and lever setup. When the lever is in the 9 O'clock position, you're ready to hookup. When you hookup and the head is closed, the lever is in the 8 O'clock position. You can see at a glance that you are securely connected.
* This post was
edited 07/28/22 06:47pm by ReneeG *
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Cummins12V98
on the road
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B&W Made in USA, Curt Made in CHINA.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"
"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600
2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable
2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD
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Rigdon
Anywhere there are roads.
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A campground host here, we see several broken back glass and or dented cans on short bed trucks every year.
We had a long bed with a B&W and still miss it but currently we have a short bed with a pullrite autoslider and like it. Especially not having to get out in nasty situations such as weather or gas stations and have to slide it manually.
Steve & Karen
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hondapro
Central Pa
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I have a B&W Companion slider with a short bed F-350 I have never needed the slider yet, I can turn pretty sharp before getting close to the cab. I do slide it back to hitch up, it gives me more room between the tailgate and the front of the fifth wheel.
Steve
2016 F-350 6.7 Diesel
2022 Keystone Sprinter 32BH
B&W Companion
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JIMNLIN
Oklahoma
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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Quote:I'd love some input from knowledgeable people about what to look for when buying a 5th wheel hitch, what to avoid, and any personal experiences with specific brands or models. I'm happy to provide my email in a PM if anyone wants to talk off the record.
Thanks,
Dave
Your asking a chevy vs Ford vs Ram type question so all you will get is my brand is best and some even bash other brands they have no experience with. Also Brand bragging and brand bashing will change depending on which rv websites your using.
I've towed for a living and found with light duty 5th wheel rv type hitches there is no best brand or especially any brand to avoid.
Some hitch brands have models that are better suited for 20k lb + heavy weight trailers and in between.
Other brands have models better suited for lighter weight trailers.
JMO I've been towing trailer since the early '60s and discovered their are no best brand truck....rv trailer....hitch....tires.
Personally I avoid any publication claiming this brand is the best for all trailers. Way to many variables to make that claim.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 two slides
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