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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Tow Vehicles -> Looking for advice - what type of hitch to buy?
Post Info TOPIC: Looking for advice - what type of hitch to buy?
LuvSun


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Looking for advice - what type of hitch to buy?
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Brand new to all this so looking for a bit of advice... Just purchased a Ford F350 diesel crew cab with standard bed. Will be towing an Open Range 5th, max weight at 14K. Called several places to inquire about hitches, heard Resse, Husky, Curt - manual vs "slider" ...can I get some recommandations from those of you out there towing?
Thanks!

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pamela & her little dog too
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2011 Open Range 393RLS 5'er
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The Bear II


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RE: Looking for adive - what type of hitch to buy?
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If I was buying a new hitch I would get a Trailsaver. They are more expensive but offer an airbag to reduce shock between the truck and the 5th wheel.

I have a B&H Companion hitch which is very easy to remove from the bed to allow full use of the pickup bed when i'm not towing. There aren't any rails or mounting brackets left in the bed, only a hole with a cover.

The only reason I have this hitch is that it came with the truck. Otherwise i would have gone with a Trailsaver.

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Terry and Jo


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Pamela,

You will probably hear many different answers on this one.  As for us, we are on our second Reese.  More than one person has told us that Reese is the best brand name out there.

As for slider type fifth wheels, they are pretty necessary if your truck has a short bed.  If yours is a full size bed, I wouldn't worry about a slider.

Also as a consideration are those referred to as air hitches.  I don't know anything about them myself, but I've read others that owned them that swore by them.  While this is speculation, I think that an air hitch would be beneficial mostly when pulling a really heavy unit.  But then, that would also depend on whether an air hitch "flexes" up and down, creating a clearance issue.  Do your research really well if you consider an air hitch.

Good luck in the research and looking.  It can be fun or frustrating.  Make if fun.

Terry

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Luvglass


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From an engineering point, hitches are pretty basic. It's a steel construction bolted to the truck frame, that has a locking jaw that grabs the pin on the trailer. Technically there's not much advantage to one brand over another, aside from the air hitch - which is considerably more expensive.

We also have a Reese and are very happy with it.

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Fred Wishnie

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Melstar


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What is considered short bed? We'are getting a truck with a 6 3/4' or 7'
Is that standard or short. I understand a long bed is 8', right??

We too are trying to decide which kind of hitch...looking at a Reese....is a slider really necesaary with a 6 3/4' bed?

Mel

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Melanie White

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Luvglass


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Long bed is 8 feet. Anything shorter requires a slider hitch to prevent collision between the front of the trailer and cab of the truck in tight turns.

If at all possible get a long bed truck. Even when not towing the ride is much smoother.

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Fred Wishnie

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


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53 Merc


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Luvglass wrote:

Long bed is 8 feet. Anything shorter requires a slider hitch to prevent collision between the front of the trailer and cab of the truck in tight turns.

If at all possible get a long bed truck. Even when not towing the ride is much smoother.


Actually, the Sidewinder makes a pinbox that removes the requirement for a slider.  If I had known of it when I bought my slider, I would have one.  You can find them at http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Sidewinder_c_452.html 

 



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rclvnv


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You might also want to look at an "automatic" slider hitch, made by Pull-Rite. The others may make a similar product,as well. As I understand it,the difference is that you do not have to get out and release a lever to activate the sliding feature,as I understand must be done with a standard slider. I have no personal experience with this, but am researching as well,for my next rig will be a 5th wheel, and I have a DSL truck with a 7'bed. IMHO, anything that works by design as opposed to manual action that accomplishes this,is a better option then remembering to engage or disengage something.

Richard

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Delaine and Lindy


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Trailer Saver and your 5th wheel will Love you. Takes so much stress off the frame, and everything rides very well we don't secure anything in the 5th wheel. Such as coffee pot sits on the counter and never moves. And the Trailer Saver uses the same bed rail as most other 5th wheel hitches. Is the Trailer Save pricey, sure it is, but so is your 5th wheel. I use a standard pin box and have no chucking or movement at all. Good Luck with your choice.

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