When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello,
I just purchased a 2006 F350. I was looking at 5th wheel hitchs. I have no idea what to look for, how to tell which one would be easyer to use. What a high quality hitch looks like. The price of the hitchs surprized me, as I am looking at a good chuck of change I am looking for advice. All the shops in my area are pushing Reese hitchs. I looked on google there seem to be about 5 companys listed (reese, curt manufacturing, Valley, Pull rite, and Cequent). I am looking at Curt Manufacturing, because on Amazon they seem to have good reviews. I am looking to purchase a 35ft trailer, so want a 20k lb hitch. Thanks for the help.
Tony
Curt gets high marks from owners. But they are all good really. Hitch brand loyalty starts looking a lot like religion after a while. I don't think you can go wrong with a Curt from Amazon, even though I own something else.
The big question is, slider, or not? Auto slider, or manual?
I have a 1998 15K Reese that I found has a single point failure. The jaw locking system has a C-clip that holds the system together. I had just parked at home, (backing up), released the locking lever, pulled the jaw unlock handle and found the jaws were already unlocked. Good that the last move was backing. I took the hitch off to find the problem. A C-clip had fallen off. Went to the best nut and bolt store to find a clip to fit the pin that holds the parts in place. They could not fit one to the pin. Tried to call Reese on the problem but only got a sales outfit. Had to buy some new parts, nut, bolts and lock pins to make the hitch safe. Before you buy one check the underside of the hitch for C-clips that may fall off and allow the jaws to unlock.
I have a Pullrite Superglide. Love it! It is an auto slider as I have a short bed. Works great. It also has the rails under the bed, so it only leaves 4 holes in the bed when I remove it, giving me full use of the bed.
I have a 35" and its max weight is 14,500 lbs. I have a Reese16K square tube slider. I would select a 5er first then determine the hitch you will need. I do not think there are any 20K 35' 5ers out there, I may be wrong.
Thanks for all the info. I was looking on ebay and there are a lot of hitchs out there for a lot less. So I think I will speed some time looking at differnt ones. I think I will find a good one and learn alot. Yes I just purchased a 32 ft trailer, and the weight is 7,400 lbs. So the 20k would be a little much. But you now how it is when you first get into something you want the best and the biggest.