5th Wheel Hitches, options?
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
I had a reese slider in my last truck and honestly only used the slide once. I looked at it as insurance just in case I got into a real tight campground. I would also say don't do the rails in the bed because over time if you haul anything in the bed they do get scraped up.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 14
From: Utah
Epic- Ditto to what Reagansd350 said. Being in slc I would be more than willing to show you how the rails look in a short bed. I cut my rubber bed protector around the rails.They never seem to get in the way. Trailer saver hitches, although $$$ mount on a rails but have an air bag design built in to help eliminate the "chucking" that a fifthwheel creates when going over rough roads, etc. I do not have this type of hitch, but to do it again I would really take a good look at this type.
Good luck in you search- Keith
Good luck in you search- Keith
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Epic,
For everybody with a short bed that tells you that you dont need a slider, the will be another story of somebody that hit their cab with the camper.
I have a SB, and a slider. When I first started towing the fifth, I pulled the slider a lot. In the last year, I have not moved it once. That being said, it is heavier, and a pain, but you never know when you might have to make that 90 deg turn and need it. I was at 90 once to get into a spot, and would never have been able to get into it w/o the slider. I have also been very close to my cab with the slider not extended a few times. You have to have a spotter watch the cab.
As far as the autos. Some people love em. The service manager a the local RV shop has seen a few lock up and bend things because they were not maintained propperly. He recomended against it.
I am very conservitive when it comes to towing, so I am sure you can get by w/o a slider, but I would recommend a good one. It is the only thing holding that 10-15k in place behind your truck.
I have a bed saver too. I have read too many stories of people dropping their 5er on there bed. Given how I can do dumb things when I get tired, I wanted all my bases covered.
For everybody with a short bed that tells you that you dont need a slider, the will be another story of somebody that hit their cab with the camper.
I have a SB, and a slider. When I first started towing the fifth, I pulled the slider a lot. In the last year, I have not moved it once. That being said, it is heavier, and a pain, but you never know when you might have to make that 90 deg turn and need it. I was at 90 once to get into a spot, and would never have been able to get into it w/o the slider. I have also been very close to my cab with the slider not extended a few times. You have to have a spotter watch the cab.
As far as the autos. Some people love em. The service manager a the local RV shop has seen a few lock up and bend things because they were not maintained propperly. He recomended against it.
I am very conservitive when it comes to towing, so I am sure you can get by w/o a slider, but I would recommend a good one. It is the only thing holding that 10-15k in place behind your truck.
I have a bed saver too. I have read too many stories of people dropping their 5er on there bed. Given how I can do dumb things when I get tired, I wanted all my bases covered.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 2
While I respect those that want to get there rigs into those tight campsites, I refuse a site that requires me to twist my equipment that way. I know I can do it but I avoid it. I have a Bedsaver mounted on my B&W. I own it so it stays. As I posted earlier, with the secure locking system that the B&W uses, I can see no way to drop the trailer. If you can lock the hitch, it can not come off. Bedsaver is over insurance with the B&W. JMO
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
Hey guys. Thanks for all the info. I've decided on the B&W Companion for my setup. There is a really cool animation on how it works. The initial view is the 360 degree view but you should press the IN ACTION and INSTALL HIGHLIGHTS buttons to the right to get the full story. It shows how the king pin locking mechanism works that Rickatic was describing. It's pretty simply in principle, just a 90 degree receiver hitch. That's how they get away with such a simple penetration in the bed of the truck.
http://www.turnoverball.com/interface.html#/rv/
http://www.turnoverball.com/interface.html#/rv/
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
Hey guys. Thanks for all the info. I've decided on the B&W Companion for my setup. There is a really cool animation on how it works. The initial view is the 360 degree view but you should press the IN ACTION and INSTALL HIGHLIGHTS buttons to the right to get the full story. It shows how the king pin locking mechanism works that Rickatic was describing. It's pretty simply in principle, just a 90 degree receiver hitch. That's how they get away with such a simply penetration in the bed of the truck.
http://www.turnoverball.com/interface.html#/rv/
http://www.turnoverball.com/interface.html#/rv/
Thanks for sharing. I am pushing for a new trailer next year and have thought about 5th wheels but not done much research on them.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
Just checked out the "video". They got nothing on you! Pretty interesting design. So, it looks like that you can strip it down to an empty bed. Does the hardware that connects to the ball in the bed also get bolted down?
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
I think the video is pretty clear in the 360 degree view. When removed from the truck, there is nothing left behind. Rickatic mentioned something about 4 bolts? The animation doesn't show that.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 1
From: Corinth, TX
a word to the wise - you could look at side-ramp toy haulers and get a hitch mount bike rack for the back of the fiver. I've seen that setup a few times now. I almost went the toy hauler route myself... we'll probably trade in after a few seasons anyway. You have the benefit of already knowing what you like in a TT. We were new to campers all together. The next one will probably be either a TH or a rear entertainment floorplan. We have a bunkhouse (extra bedroom with its own bath) now to take other couples with us... but I'm not sure we will use that as often as the extra storage. If we don't go that route... having the really large living area will be nice.
GL with your search! I can recommend Forest River, or at least the Wildcat line
GL with your search! I can recommend Forest River, or at least the Wildcat line
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 2
There are two u bolts and a tension bolt. The two u bolts clamp the Companion hitch to the mast that drops into the vertical receiver in the truck bed. These are left lose until the Companion is sitting in place and the under fender lock pin released. You then torque the tension bolt to 40 ft lbs,IIRC, which makes it impossible to pull the release lever under the fender. You then torque the 4 nuts on the 2 u bolts to 80 ft lms, IIRC, to finish installing the Companion. It can be done in either direction Companion, in or out, in 5 minutes or so. Did I say it was a great hitch...?
The Companion base just sits flush on the bed floor, no hold down bolts. The previous mentioned mast that inserts in the vertical receiver is the mount, 18000 pounds rated.
Regards
The Companion base just sits flush on the bed floor, no hold down bolts. The previous mentioned mast that inserts in the vertical receiver is the mount, 18000 pounds rated.
Regards
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Pullrite has a new Mtg kit for the 2011 6.7 SB. I moved mine from my 2006 6.0 F-250 SC, SB to my 2011 F-350 CC, SB. Just had to modify drivers side mtg bracket due to DEF tank. Passenger side mtg bracket mounts same as on 2006.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
I have even seen people go as far as cutting a hole in a bed mat and mounting the Companion on top of the mat. I've thought about it, but just can't pull the trigger on it. I usually just remove my mat when I have the hitch in.
One of the more attractive features of the B&W setup for me was having a clean floor. I just couldn't make myself live with those nasty rails catching anything and everything I tried to slide in and out of the truck. Of course that decision was back in 2006 before the clean under bed rail systems became mainstream.
Rick, I don't see anybody listing a bedsaver application for the B&W Companion. Did you have to modify one or do they actually offer one for the Companion? The locking mechanism on the Companion is so secure that I never actually worried about additional protection before. Like you said, with the handle closed and the pin in place it seems virtually impossible for the jaws to open.
One of the more attractive features of the B&W setup for me was having a clean floor. I just couldn't make myself live with those nasty rails catching anything and everything I tried to slide in and out of the truck. Of course that decision was back in 2006 before the clean under bed rail systems became mainstream.
Rick, I don't see anybody listing a bedsaver application for the B&W Companion. Did you have to modify one or do they actually offer one for the Companion? The locking mechanism on the Companion is so secure that I never actually worried about additional protection before. Like you said, with the handle closed and the pin in place it seems virtually impossible for the jaws to open.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,225
Likes: 63
I have a pullrite 18 superglide with super rails for sale if someone is considering a slider.
New July 2009 with about 5k of towing.
For sale or not, the superglide is the best slider I could find, and it is automatic.
Something to consider with the toy haulers, many are 101" wide, 5" more then normal.
That adds 2.5" to each side's width and could be a consideration. Especially if you have to jack the trailer around while backing up a hill (my driveway).
I have pictures of my 88 degree Heartland Cyclone only 7" away from the cab (GMC).
And that is with the slider 14" to the rear.
New July 2009 with about 5k of towing.
For sale or not, the superglide is the best slider I could find, and it is automatic.
Something to consider with the toy haulers, many are 101" wide, 5" more then normal.
That adds 2.5" to each side's width and could be a consideration. Especially if you have to jack the trailer around while backing up a hill (my driveway).
I have pictures of my 88 degree Heartland Cyclone only 7" away from the cab (GMC).
And that is with the slider 14" to the rear.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 2
720...
I have a Duraliner in my truck bed. I just set the hitch in place, torque the tension bolt and then the 4 nuts for the u bolts. 2 trucks and 10000 miles of towing with no problems. The Bed Saver was part of my fifth wheel deal as was the Companion part of the B&W combo. The dealer installed the Bed saver when he installed the Companion. It bolts to the Companion uprights with 4 bolts. The dealer had to drill these holes. Like you, I would not recommend a Bed saver to a Companion owner. Overkill...
Regards
I have a Duraliner in my truck bed. I just set the hitch in place, torque the tension bolt and then the 4 nuts for the u bolts. 2 trucks and 10000 miles of towing with no problems. The Bed Saver was part of my fifth wheel deal as was the Companion part of the B&W combo. The dealer installed the Bed saver when he installed the Companion. It bolts to the Companion uprights with 4 bolts. The dealer had to drill these holes. Like you, I would not recommend a Bed saver to a Companion owner. Overkill...
Regards