I have the 2013 F-250 with the Pull-rite 4400 auto slide hitch. The hitch functions well, drawbacks are you have to be fairly straight when hooking up or disconnecting, which honestly has only been an issue once in 3 years. The biggest issue is the weight to get in and out of the truck, I end up just leaving it in all the time due to that, which it get in the way a lot.

I have been on this site for years, I know a lot of you tow, so want to opinions. I am really considering going to the Andersen Ultimate hitch. I have to removed the Pull-rite kit so I either need to install a goose-neck hitch or a set of rails.

What method would you choose? goose-neck ball or conventional rails?

The reason I am leaning to goose-neck is that way I could go to the aluminum version of the hitch which is less than 40 lbs, if I am going to make the change I might as well go for the lightest method in my mind.

So what brand goose-neck do you prefer for ease of install and function?

If you suggest rails, is there one that you suggest for installation ease?

Lots of questions, thanks for your help!

 

Anderson is tops and I would buy one in a heart beat. It is on my list.


I would go for the gooseneck version. Lots of good reviews in the towing section.

 

I use my two post lift to take mine out.

 

I personally, like the idea of a lighter, but strong hitch. If I didn't think I needed a slider, I would have bought one of these:


21K Recon Light Weight | Demco Products


I think I prefer the standard 5th wheel hitch mechanism over the ball-type.

 

Showoff! LOL. Wish I had a lift.
To the OP, I have no experience with the Anderson hitch, but I have had a couple of Reese's and currently I have a B&W. The B&W is so much better that the Reese. It's easy to hook up and is very secure. It provides a really smooth towing experience. As far as weight goes, it's not bad and it comes off in two pieces, which is very convenient.
I would not be comfortable with the goose neck type adapter on a fifth wheel. It just looks to me like a big lever arm putting stress where it wasn't designed to take it. That's just my slightly educated gut talking though.

 

My B&W is also much better than the Huskey I had. Got rid of the pitching and chucking.

 

I have a pull rite auto slider 18k. I leave the thing in my truck all the time. The base is super heavy. The thing works great but the OP is right you have to be pretty damn straight to hook up.

 

Completely agree. The Ultimate Fifth Wheel Hitch from Anderson solves many of the weight issues. If you chose to convert to a Gooseneck, I would suggest the Reese Goosebox that replaces your entire pinbox with a gooseneck style. Otherwise, you can put significantly more stress on your fifth wheel frame is you use a gooseneck adapter. I did a video on this exact topic actually.

 

I have had the Reese Goosebox on my 5th wheel for several years now. I just use a gooseneck ball in the factory prep. Definitely light weight and stores behind the back seat when I want a flat bed. The Goosebox also has an airbag and shock integrated into it. I've been really happy with it.

I used to have the Pullrite SuperGlide in my old truck. I unhooked several times with the truck nearly 90 degrees to the trailer. I would just leave the hitch head attached to the camper, lower the landing gear, pull the two side pins on the head and raise the landing gear until the hitch head cleared the base and drive out from under it. Worked like a champ. I couldn't agree more on the weight.

 

Thanks for comments, I went with the blue ox gooseneck and the Andersen ultimate aluminum ultimate hitch. I won't get them in time to install for the next trip but I will install them shortly afterwards.

Really wish I had the lift, it would come in handy in the changeout, and interesting video, didn't think of the leverage change with a gooseneck adapter.

I will let you know how it all goes.

 

The B&W gooseneck companion hitch. It is a very nice strong hitch. It will work perfectly with the Andersen hitch. And will work with a fifth wheel hitch if you change your mind and go that route.

 

I have had both a Husky slider ( in my short bed) and now a B&W Campion goose neck in my long bed. My Husky had the bed rails and I learned to hate them. After not having bed rails with the B&W I prefer it. Sometimes little things just makes life easier moving things in and out of the bed. Also with the B&W the head is removable off the hitch making it lighter to load and unload.

Brice

 

So I went with the Blue Ox Gooseneck kit and the Andersen Ultimate Hitch, the install of the Blue Ox was very easy and I love that the ball can be installed and removed from the top and just inverted when not in use. I have never used the other versions but anything that has to be accessed from below after going through mud or snow doesnt sound fun.

As for the Andersen Hitch the install was straight forward, both on the trailer and in the truck. For those that have had denting issues maybe they didnt re torque the hitch after adding the trailer weight?? Maybe, maybe not. I hooked up and we went on a 3 hour trip each way, on the way there we had tail winds and cross winds 25-35 mph, no stability issues that I noticed.

When we got to the campground we pulled in and backed into place, I was able to turn very tight before getting close to the rear window, I just pushed it to see how tight I could go. I have never had to turn that tight in my few years of towing, I am sure that there could be a chance of needing 90* turning, but I would rather not put my trailer through that if I don't have to.

Parking back and the house is probably as bad as it gets, I live at the end of the street, have to jump a curb and pretty extreme turning angle to get it in the RV parking, I didnt have any issues, so overall I am very happy, when I go pull the hitch out I will be even happier. Only negative, not really a negative, is you have to lift the trailer so much more to disconnect and reconnect, my front landing gear is tired, when it was cold out it wouldn't raise it without helping with the hand crank.

My batteries were still fully charged and I was still plugged in while raising it, do you think the motor could be going bad?

When I got home it raised off the truck before it was plugged in, it was just slow, but it was also 40* warmer. Any suggestions on that?

 

Your landing gear is electric I take it?? If so, yes the motor could be going bad, a little lower battery voltage could do it or one of the legs could be binding and causing the motor to work harder. If it comes down to replacing the legs, it's about an hour job and two beers. I changed out my partner's landing gear on her Montana last fall and was pretty much straight forward. Much better now and the motor(which was at first thought to be the problem) turns so much faster now.

 

I'd say the motor in the landing gear may have some issues. You can test for voltage pretty easy.