I need fifth wheel help
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon, SK, CA
And make sure you don't mind drilling big holes in your bed. The nice thing is the bed is dimpled where the holes get drilled but mine were hard to find because of the Line X liner I had sprayed in.
Instructions are pretty easy to follow for the install. I like the clean look and the ease of mounting this kit. Very strong and well designed. Then your hitch options are Reese Elite or B&W. If you want a different hitch such as PullRite they make their own undermount kit.
One of the things I liked the most of doing this myself was that I was able to mount my 5th wheel electrical connection where I wanted it vs. where Ford puts it - I have the cargo divider installed in my truck and that won't work where Ford puts the fifth wheel electrical.
New User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Dawsonville, Ga
I tow a similar weight trailer with an F250 6.7TD with a Husky slider. I would definitely recommend the fifth wheel setup and not the gooseneck for stability if for no other reason. If the front of the trailer is a MAx Turn cap, you should only need the slide feature when jack knifing into a tight spot. Normal driving, you should be fine. If it is a full cap, you will want an Autoslide Hitch like the Hitch hiker but they are more expensive.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
Likes: 83
From: Georgia
My work partners came from there. I believe you will love the hitch! Have not found anyone yet that doesn't.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
Go with the factory setup
Got the Reese Elite 18k hitch and i can tell you it is solid and attractive. Best of all is is terribly easy to install or remove! Seemed pricey to me, got the dealer that sold me the 5th wheel trailer to give me hitch at his cost, which was approx a grand. So am am very happy with mine, but dont have experience with others, so cannot comment on them.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
I have seen stack of trailers at the Lippert factory in Indiana. And in no way are they built the same as what I have seen on GN dump trailers (only GN I have seen without a skin)..
A trailer built from the ground up to be a GN "appears" to be built substantially different from a recreational 5th wheel.
I am not for or against a GN, although given the option from the factory I think I would get a GN. I could put the air ride on the GN and only have the single little ball in the bed to deal with.
That lever mentioned is the reason why I would have concerns about any used trailer equipped with an adapter.
GN's almost always get you a higher pin and max GVW the a similarly sized 5th wheel, and there is a reason for that.
A trailer built from the ground up to be a GN "appears" to be built substantially different from a recreational 5th wheel.
I am not for or against a GN, although given the option from the factory I think I would get a GN. I could put the air ride on the GN and only have the single little ball in the bed to deal with.
That lever mentioned is the reason why I would have concerns about any used trailer equipped with an adapter.
GN's almost always get you a higher pin and max GVW the a similarly sized 5th wheel, and there is a reason for that.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
Got the Reese Elite 18k hitch and i can tell you it is solid and attractive. Best of all is is terribly easy to install or remove! Seemed pricey to me, got the dealer that sold me the 5th wheel trailer to give me hitch at his cost, which was approx a grand. So am am very happy with mine, but dont have experience with others, so cannot comment on them.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
Pained Horse I see your point, it's a grand cheeper to go the GN route. In MN it is illegal to have passengers in the camper if it is hooked up GN style and ok to do if hooked 5th wheel style. It's probably not safe either was though. Do you guys carry passengers in the camper as you travel? Oh, there has to be a line of communication between the cab and camper.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
I've never seen a Reese Elite hitch so I can't say whether it is lighter or easier to install.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Terrell, Texas
I just picked up my b&w today and installed it. Pretty easy to assemble it and it doesn't seem to be that heavy when its broken down. Plus it has a place for a pad lock so you can lock the jaws shut and leave it attached to the king pin and just raise it out with the trailer. On a side note I'm going to get to pick up our new fw this week and try the hitch out 
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
Likes: 1,245
From: Western MA
The best price is always from etrailer. Not because their initial price is the best, but because they have a low price guarantee that beats the best price you find by refunding you 110% of the difference from their price to the low price. So, I just searched the Reese Elite 18K for our trucks. Lowest price google shopping found was $920 with free shipping here: https://www.onlinehitches.com/Elite-...-By-Reese.html
Etrailer's price is 1268.39 with free shipping.
110% of the difference is 383.23
Etrailer's price = 885.16 delivered. A lot better than what was posted in previous posts. Plus since you have the factory prep you don't need the wiring harness you get so you sell that on eBay for $60. In the end you get the Reese Elite for just over $800. That's what I did last year at this time. Prices were a little lower then. I ended up at around $750 for my 18K Elite. I do love the dealer who told Linkhansen that he gave him the hitch at cost for around a grand. LOL. A dealer certainly gets a better deal than the average joe shopping online and anyone reading this can get the hitch delivered for 885 from etrailer. So, his selling it at cost line is clearly... um... less than truthful.
Etrailer's price is 1268.39 with free shipping.
110% of the difference is 383.23
Etrailer's price = 885.16 delivered. A lot better than what was posted in previous posts. Plus since you have the factory prep you don't need the wiring harness you get so you sell that on eBay for $60. In the end you get the Reese Elite for just over $800. That's what I did last year at this time. Prices were a little lower then. I ended up at around $750 for my 18K Elite. I do love the dealer who told Linkhansen that he gave him the hitch at cost for around a grand. LOL. A dealer certainly gets a better deal than the average joe shopping online and anyone reading this can get the hitch delivered for 885 from etrailer. So, his selling it at cost line is clearly... um... less than truthful.
Senior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
I installed the B&W Turn Over ball, but instead of going with the companion, I went with the Andersen Ultimate Fifth wheel. It is really light weight. I can easily put it in the bed by myself. Towed my Keystone Laredo (36Ft) from Utah to Wyoming for work, up several big passes and it towed GREAT. Takes about 2 mins to take the hitch out of the truck. Flip over the ball and you have total bed access.
I would recommend the Andersen to anyone looking for something other than the Companion. Its also about half the price.
I would recommend the Andersen to anyone looking for something other than the Companion. Its also about half the price.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
The best price is always from etrailer. Not because their initial price is the best, but because they have a low price guarantee that beats the best price you find by refunding you 110% of the difference from their price to the low price. So, I just searched the Reese Elite 18K for our trucks. Lowest price google shopping found was $920 with free shipping here: https://www.onlinehitches.com/Elite-...-By-Reese.html
Etrailer's price is 1268.39 with free shipping.
110% of the difference is 383.23
Etrailer's price = 885.16 delivered. A lot better than what was posted in previous posts. Plus since you have the factory prep you don't need the wiring harness you get so you sell that on eBay for $60. In the end you get the Reese Elite for just over $800. That's what I did last year at this time. Prices were a little lower then. I ended up at around $750 for my 18K Elite. I do love the dealer who told Linkhansen that he gave him the hitch at cost for around a grand. LOL. A dealer certainly gets a better deal than the average joe shopping online and anyone reading this can get the hitch delivered for 885 from etrailer. So, his selling it at cost line is clearly... um... less than truthful.
Etrailer's price is 1268.39 with free shipping.
110% of the difference is 383.23
Etrailer's price = 885.16 delivered. A lot better than what was posted in previous posts. Plus since you have the factory prep you don't need the wiring harness you get so you sell that on eBay for $60. In the end you get the Reese Elite for just over $800. That's what I did last year at this time. Prices were a little lower then. I ended up at around $750 for my 18K Elite. I do love the dealer who told Linkhansen that he gave him the hitch at cost for around a grand. LOL. A dealer certainly gets a better deal than the average joe shopping online and anyone reading this can get the hitch delivered for 885 from etrailer. So, his selling it at cost line is clearly... um... less than truthful.
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
Likes: 1,245
From: Western MA
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
Really?
Guys, I think some are a bit pessimistic on the post. I searched online and cheapest i found hitch was for approx $950 on Amazon. I could have ordered it, and for free shipping they would have placed it on a camel's *** and would have got to me in 10 or so days. With dealer, he charges me $1000,arrives the next day, assembles it and sets it up on my truck. So any way you may look at it, I feel i came out a winner. To each his own, but everyone has to make some money. It's the way the world go round. Again, I am very happy with what i paid and the dealer, and the hitch. Dont rain on my parade!