Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Hitches for 5th Wheelers


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 93
Date:
Hitches for 5th Wheelers
Permalink Closed


We've bought a fifth wheeler and are now searching for a used truck to pull it with. Some of the trucks that I've seen online are already set up for towing. Thanks to some good posts in this forum, I've a good understanding of the weight considerations.

How about hitches though - are they all pretty much the same for a given weight rating? Are there brands / types to be avoided?

Also, do I need a particular truck bed length to properly tow a 37' fifth wheel?

Thanks,
Bob

__________________

Bob

2009 Cameo 37RE3, 2006 F350 Laredo Dually



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 544
Date:
Permalink Closed

Bob,


Hitches are almost as confusing as truck weights.

The hitch I see referred to most often is called a TrailerSaver http://www.trailersaver.com/

Next or equally referred to is the PullRite and SuperGlide

All manufacturers have hitches designed for different weight ratings.

Another consideration is a sliding hitch so you can use a short bed truck for better manueverability when parking. Here's another URL for pricing and hitch selection.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/5th-wheel-rv-hitches-tow-bars-dollys.htm?source=google&gclid=CLymzqbdhZsCFURM5QodHVEqqg

This is what I have, it was already installed in the truck. I'm happy with it and like the ease of removal from the bed. I would have gone with a trailersaver or other air ride hitch.
http://www.turnoverball.com/rv.asp#

__________________
Larry
"Small House, Big Yard "
7 years to go to FT
Alfa See-Ya 5'er and 2007 Kodiak C4500 Monroe Pickup


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1438
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hi Bob,

Unless you have an 8 foot bed, you need a slider hitch to avoid the trailer hitting the truck roof on tight turns. Most people opt for the long bed truck. And the extra length makes for additional storage space.

The hitch rating should be higher than the GVWR of your trailer, but past that they are all pretty much the same technically, except for the air hitches which are considerably more expensive.

Fred


__________________
Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1107
Date:
Permalink Closed

For a 37' 5er I would be looking for an air ride hitch. Yes, it will cost more. But it will be worth it. I also would not look at a short-bed truck unless I had a REQUIREMENT for it, for other reasons. The longer wheelbase is far more stable. In fact, with a 37' 5er I would likely be using a dually. You do not state weights or other considerations....or if this is for fulltime or vacation....all issues that factor in.

__________________

Jack & Danielle Mayer
PLEASE USE EMAIL TO COMMUNICATE

http://www.jackdanmayer.com,
2009 Volvo 780 HDT, 2015 New Horizons 45'Custom 5th, smart car
New Horizons Ambassadors - Let us help you build your dream RV.....



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 93
Date:
Permalink Closed

Thanks for the replies.

We will be fulltiming in our fifth wheel. We think that we will be moving ~ 12 times per year(?). I forgot to mention that the Cameo we bought is equipped with the Mor/Ryde pin box. The pin weight is 2439 lbs. (estimate) with full liquids. For that weight, I'll need a dually (maybe that answers the bed question). The GVWR of the Cameo is 15000 lbs. I think that I need a Ford F350 dually minimum. My budget puts me in the 2004 to 2006 range. I'm looking for one with the 26000 lb. tow boss package.

We appreciate your advice.
Bob

__________________

Bob

2009 Cameo 37RE3, 2006 F350 Laredo Dually



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 303
Date:
Permalink Closed


We have a 34 foot fiver and I'm going to go against the advice your getting.

Yes you want something to take the chucking out of the drive, but an air ride hitch is only one possible solution.

We have a plain jane Husky hitch (can't get much cheaper or easier to work with) the Reese is also good.  We had that and a standard pin box and it was fine not great we swapped out to the Demco Glide ride and got rid of the chucking issue easy as pie.

So the real question before you get to the hitch is what is the pin box?  If it's one of the fancier pin boxes a plain hitch is good.  If it's a plain pin box then maybe you want a fancier hitch.

Assuming though a long bed truck (no need for a slider) you may find a Husky or Reese hitch with the Demco or Morryde pin box to be a cheaper combo.

Just another way to come at the question.

Mallo


__________________


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 770
Date:
Permalink Closed

I would also recommend an air ride hitch for the truck. We do have one on our F-550....                           southwestjudy

__________________
Judy & Bob & 2blackdogs
www.mytripjournal.com/elitesuitestravels


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 397
Date:
Permalink Closed

We just upgraded to a 2006 Freightliner M2 and we ordered a Trailer Saver TSLB2H for the 5th wheel and we also go the Gooseneck hitch option so we can pull the Gooseneck also. We needed more hitch capacity and will have 32,000 gross towing weight and 7,500 lb pin weight. We have had a Trailer Saver TS 3 before and it was great. GBY....

__________________

2012 Chevy 3500HD DRW's (SOLD)

Pressure Pro System  (SOLD)   
Trailer Saver  TS 3   (SOLD)

2010 Mobile Suites 38 RSSB 4 #5057  (Sold)





RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1122
Date:
Permalink Closed

Truck choices are important, but sometimes there is more than one solution.  A 15K GVWR can be pulled by an F-350 SRW diesel, with the bonus hat the truck will go thru a car wash and fit in most parking spaces (without incroaching on the space of the cars around you) .... a DRW truck will tow more and allow more hitch weight.  The often overlooked (and most important) part of truck performance isn't so much about how much will it pull or carry, but how well does it CONTROL AND STOP that load.  A 7% long downhill grade will make you appreciate a GOOD exhaust brake.  Don't forget to factor that in your decision.  Best wishes to you and good luck in making your decision.



__________________

Ron and Janice

 

2016 Ford F350, King Ranch, DRW, 4x4, CC, 6.7 PS Diesel, remote control air lift system

2017 Durango Gold 381REF, Lambright furniture, MCD shades, morRYDE IS, 8K Disc brakes, GY G114  LR H Tires, 27,320 lbs CGVW

FT class of 2016



Host

Status: Offline
Posts: 1224
Date:
Permalink Closed

Closing this thread from 2009.  Perhaps we can start a new discussion on this as there are different options now.



__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us