5th wheel hitch
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 708
Likes: 161
From: Everett, Washington
If you are talking less expensive hitches I just changed from a Reese pro 15k to a Curt A16 because the Curt is a quieter hitch since it is double jaw vs slide bar. Mine is a long bed but the hitch is set at 17" and the pin box is set in the mid position on the trailer. I took the 3" rear blocks out and installed 1 3/4 in blocks from a 2016 and the trailer sits slightly nose high with the proper bed clearance.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 564
Likes: 7
I have an Andersen Ultimate Hitch in my GMC 2500HD SB and love it. It will be going into my 2017 F350 SB when it arrives as well. It does however require a gooseneck ball. If you want to stick with a traditional hitch, then make sure you also look at B&W as they are built like tanks, owners love them and I have never read anything bad on B&W hitches.
New User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Another vote for Andersen ultimate fifth wheel hitch
hi
I previously had a shortbed truck and pulled a fifth wheel with the truck. I never had a sliding hitch and never hit my window. Most new trailers have extended pin boxes and cut outs on the front cap for shortbed trucks. I changed over to an andersen (approximately 8,000 miles towing so far and coast to coast) for 2 reasons: 1. The weight reduction vs a standard fifth wheel hitch. 2. The Andersen allows you to have approximately a 9" offset to the rear to further get away from you rear window.
Last thing: I have been at a campsite with a standard fifth wheel hitch that was unlevel, I hade to put blocks under one side of the truck to try and get it level so I could back hitch up to go home. Now I don't have that concern because I am going down in a ball.
good luck with your choice
eric
I previously had a shortbed truck and pulled a fifth wheel with the truck. I never had a sliding hitch and never hit my window. Most new trailers have extended pin boxes and cut outs on the front cap for shortbed trucks. I changed over to an andersen (approximately 8,000 miles towing so far and coast to coast) for 2 reasons: 1. The weight reduction vs a standard fifth wheel hitch. 2. The Andersen allows you to have approximately a 9" offset to the rear to further get away from you rear window.
Last thing: I have been at a campsite with a standard fifth wheel hitch that was unlevel, I hade to put blocks under one side of the truck to try and get it level so I could back hitch up to go home. Now I don't have that concern because I am going down in a ball.
good luck with your choice
eric
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 167
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa
Every option will have its trade offs. I did a lot of research and ended up with a Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider - Ford Super Duty Prep Package - 21K. Heavy but nice not to have to worry about problems with the 5th wheel making contact on tight turns and unlevel ground with my SWB. You may want to check with the frame manufacturer of your fifth wheel and try to get something in writing. I did and they told me that the warranty would not cover any type of goose neck setup, including the AUH. I went up the line a ways to make sure I had someone who knew what I was talking about. Of course if I asked the question ten times I would probably get 10 different answers. If you are thinking about the AUH you may want to check the forums about the use of safety chains... some states seem to require them, again your mileage may vary. The Demco is heavy and you can only be 10 degrees out of line to hitch. The AUH is definitely an interesting option.
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More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 543
Likes: 33
From: Extreme NW Ohio
I went with the Demco Autoslider too, love it, but it’s now for sale as I’m going to a long bed truck. No getting in & out of the truck to slide the hitch back, and then forward again. I can turn 90 degrees with no problem whatsoever. My concern with the AUH is that when you turn it around to move the hitch point rearward, you are taking weight off of the steering axle of the truck & adding it to the driving axle. I know Andersen says not, but it’s the simple principle of leverage. Elementary school stuff. You don’t have to be a mechanical engineer to figure that out.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 493
Likes: 5
The pivot point being located towards the rear with the AUH sure could help with clearing the cab of a short box when turning. But I'm not so sure I like placing the load further towards the rear of the truck. And apparently, turning the pyramid so the pivot is further forward is a no-go unless using the rail mount AUH. Why not with the non-rail mount?
As for trailer frames not being warranted when using a goose neck hitch, I suspect it's not exactly that cut and dry. (Although the hassle and legal costs could make the battle seriously painful.) My guess is the frame manufacturer would have to prove the damaged was actually caused by the goose neck adaptor. The lever arm created by some goose neck adaptors could easily fall into that category. The AUH, not so much.
As for trailer frames not being warranted when using a goose neck hitch, I suspect it's not exactly that cut and dry. (Although the hassle and legal costs could make the battle seriously painful.) My guess is the frame manufacturer would have to prove the damaged was actually caused by the goose neck adaptor. The lever arm created by some goose neck adaptors could easily fall into that category. The AUH, not so much.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 493
Likes: 5
The pivot point being located towards the rear with the AUH sure could help with clearing the cab of a short box when turning. But I'm not so sure I like placing the load further towards the rear of the truck. And apparently, turning the pyramid so the pivot is further forward is a no-go unless using the rail mount AUH. Why not with the non-rail mount?
As for trailer frames not being warranted when using a goose neck hitch, I suspect it's not exactly that cut and dry. (Although the hassle and legal costs could make the battle seriously painful.) My guess is the frame manufacturer would have to prove the damaged was actually caused by the goose neck adaptor. The lever arm created by some goose neck adaptors could easily fall into that category. The AUH, not so much.
As for trailer frames not being warranted when using a goose neck hitch, I suspect it's not exactly that cut and dry. (Although the hassle and legal costs could make the battle seriously painful.) My guess is the frame manufacturer would have to prove the damaged was actually caused by the goose neck adaptor. The lever arm created by some goose neck adaptors could easily fall into that category. The AUH, not so much.
