Factory Installed 5th wheel
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
I am have had the B&W Companion in my last 2 trucks and am very happy with it.
I gave heard that the ford components are actually made by Reese and are pretty pricy.
I ordered my truck without since IMO I have what works best for me.
I gave heard that the ford components are actually made by Reese and are pretty pricy.
I ordered my truck without since IMO I have what works best for me.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Surprise, Arizona
I also found the Reese Elite 8K hitch online cheaper, no tax and delivered to my door. Got a great deal at Tweety's RV.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 610
Likes: 3
I plan on putting a bed mat in mine also for the aforementioned problem of loading. I also popped out and dented the outer trim ring when loading pallets. I like tomahaks idea, thinking maybe the bed mat (even with the holes cut out) would keep the materials your loading up high enough so they don't pop off the caps. Then you would have the best of both worlds (not having to roll up your mat).
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Surprise, Arizona
Just got off the phone with Reese Tech Support and told them about their dinky rubber bumpers that do noting to stop the hitch from banging side to side when hooked up. It is metal to metal. He checked the design drawing and didn't have a solution. I suggested a solid bumper instead of a hollow one would have more strength.
Anyway I thought you'd like to know about the Reese Elite 18K hitch.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
I added the Ford 25k 5th wheel prep and hitch to my 2011. If you tow heavy like I do, it is a pricey but very heavy duty option. Seeing it side by side with my old hitch (a Valley 20k), it makes the old one look like a toy. Unlike some of the other hidden hitch systems and ALL the rail hitches out there, this one does not place any weight on the bed itself. This makes for a very quiet tow as there is no creaking or pops when towing or while hitching up.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
I did the other day what tomahawk did with the matt and it came out excelent. 4" hole saw cut perfect holes.
Picked up my fiver Monday, was my 1st, time to pull a fiver and what a difference compared to a standard trailer. I don't think I will ever go back to a traditional trailer.
Had the prep package installed and purchased the 18K hitch from Tweety's.
Picked up my fiver Monday, was my 1st, time to pull a fiver and what a difference compared to a standard trailer. I don't think I will ever go back to a traditional trailer.
Had the prep package installed and purchased the 18K hitch from Tweety's.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 237
Likes: 2
From: South Texas
I agree with "srosa". I have the Ford 25K hitch and it's best I've ever seen or used over the past 20 years. A bit pricey, but I highly recommend it.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 585
Likes: 4
Anybody know how I can tell the difference between the 18K and 25K hitches from Ford. I'm looking at an F-450 with installed hitch and it looks an awful lot like my 18K Reese in my 2006 F-350. I'm upgrading from the F-350 to the F-450 because I need the extra capacity and don't want a 24K truck with an 18K hitch.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,402
Likes: 0
From: Upstate, NY
Anybody know how I can tell the difference between the 18K and 25K hitches from Ford. I'm looking at an F-450 with installed hitch and it looks an awful lot like my 18K Reese in my 2006 F-350. I'm upgrading from the F-350 to the F-450 because I need the extra capacity and don't want a 24K truck with an 18K hitch.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 585
Likes: 4
I found a Ford part number this morning in an accessories catalog but it just says "Hitch head" and "Hitch Assembly" with no specs. I've seen posts where some have said they got an 18K hitch from Ford, others saying they got a 25K. So I'm confused.
I'm going to the dealer this morning and will probably stop by the parts department and ask them if they can show me something that says the part in the truck is, in fact, rated at 25K.
The saleman was impressive in his knowledge about most items in the truck, but I was looking at two trucks, and the other didn't have a hitch. He said they could put in an aftermarket hitch since Ford doesn't sell them directly. That was his only blunder all afternoon.
I'm going to the dealer this morning and will probably stop by the parts department and ask them if they can show me something that says the part in the truck is, in fact, rated at 25K.
The saleman was impressive in his knowledge about most items in the truck, but I was looking at two trucks, and the other didn't have a hitch. He said they could put in an aftermarket hitch since Ford doesn't sell them directly. That was his only blunder all afternoon.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 585
Likes: 4
BC3Z-5K053-A Hitch Head Kit
BC3Z-17032-A Wrench Kit
BC3Z-19D520-A Hitch Kit
From Ford Accessories Catalog.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,402
Likes: 0
From: Upstate, NY
What I was suggesting is getting the part number off the hitch already installed in the truck. Without that you're still guessing as to what hitch is in the bed of the truck you're looking at.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 585
Likes: 4
I got my answer. Went to the dealer this morning and talked to the commercial truck guy. He kept trying to show me where the F-450 has a tow rating of 24,000 lbs in the book, so the hitch must be 24,000 lbs. I argued that they were two different numbers until I finally gave up. Went to the parts department and they pulled up the numbers and gave me a printout that says all the factory installed fifth wheel hitches are 25K with a 6250 pin weight capacity.
Then, just to make me feel really humiliated, while we were test driving the truck, the wife complained about a rattle in the passenger side door. She reached down in one of the door compartments and pulled out a plastic bag with the wrench and an owner's manual for the fifth wheel hitch. Right there on the front cover it says "25K Fifth Wheel Hitch."
And FWIW, my 19K fiver with 4,500 lbs pin weight caused the F-450 KR to squat 1 1/2 inches at the rear bumper. The rear of the overload spring is in contact with the overload stop, but the front of the overload spring has about 1 1/2 to 2 inches before it hits the stop. I'm thinking I won't have to install air bags on this one.
Then, just to make me feel really humiliated, while we were test driving the truck, the wife complained about a rattle in the passenger side door. She reached down in one of the door compartments and pulled out a plastic bag with the wrench and an owner's manual for the fifth wheel hitch. Right there on the front cover it says "25K Fifth Wheel Hitch."
And FWIW, my 19K fiver with 4,500 lbs pin weight caused the F-450 KR to squat 1 1/2 inches at the rear bumper. The rear of the overload spring is in contact with the overload stop, but the front of the overload spring has about 1 1/2 to 2 inches before it hits the stop. I'm thinking I won't have to install air bags on this one.