OK, so now that I have the new truck, it has opened new doors in terms of bigger trailers, particularly 5th wheels.

I am looking for recommendations and your experiences on 5er hitches... pros, cons, costs, air ride vs not, etc.

 

Depends on the weight/size of the 5th wheel. If you stay around 10,000lbs or under the regular Reese 15K will do. A 35'+ 12k lbs+ 5th wheel will need the high cost buffer type hitches to maintain the ride comfort in your truck.
I pull a 8500lb 30' 5th wheel with the $250 Reese Pro hitch, the truck rides better (no bucking, clanking, ect,) when towing so no fancy hitch need here.

 

do you have a need for a gooseneck hitch also?

I'm a big fan of my B&W Turnoverball. There is a 5th wheel "companion" that drops right in

 

I will be towing a toy hauler that will weigh around 15k when loaded. Does it make more sense (or any difference at all) if I get an air ride pin box on the trailer vs an air ride hitch? Is air ride even necessary or is it something I will regret if I don't get it?

 

For a 15K 5er I'd recommend a hitch with a rating around 18K. You will have to look at the pin box on the toy hauler. Usually they have a stamp on the newer ones with the pin box rating..kinda gives you some additional info as well.

I have a reese signature series, it is a slider. Hidden hitch rated for 18K.

 

My 5er is 11,600 dry I have a reese 16k on sliding rails. Never used the slider, these new 5ers are designed in such a way that you have a pretty good turning radius with a short box. However peace of mind know its available is priceless.
STM

 

X2, I feel this is the best way to go, its a nice neat installation, not a bunch of ugly junk in the box.
The gooseneck
http://www.turnoverball.com/turnover.asp#

The 5th wheel attachment
http://www.turnoverball.com/rv.asp#

The way this works is you install the hitch assembly for the gooseneck ball, then when you need to use the 5th wheel attachement you just plug
it into where the gooseneck ball hitch fits. Its an in and out deal that takes maybe 30 seconds to do. This is the cleanest 5th wheel set up there is.