Hey guys, new to the 5th wheel world looking for some advice. Have a 19 f450 new rv is a Alpine 3700fl. Hitch recommendations. I don't need the best but a want a good one. Thanks in advance!!

 

B&W for traditional hitches or Andersen Ultimate for non-traditional.

Nice trailer and congratulations!

 

If you have the Ford factory 5th wheel prep, I suggest the Reese 25K.

 

I say skip the hitch and replace the king pin on the fifth wheel with a Reese goosebox. Removing and storing a gooseball is a lot easier that a fifth wheel hitch. I have a goosebox and I really like it.

 

Definitely a Reese GooseBox. Not having to worry about moving and storing a hitch is great.

 

Choices, choices and you thought it might be an easy answer.

It's not a terribly heavy 5th wheel, the B&W should handle it nicely.

 

Same here and more bed room.

 

I use the B&W Companion with my F450 and it works great.

 

another vote for the goosebox. Get the 20K version. So nice to lift a 5lb ball.

 

I'm a fan of the goosebox as well. Starting to see more of them in our travels.

 

I really like their construction and USA factory location, so I went with a B&W Companion for my 10K gross fifth wheel. Not as light weight as an Anderson or Goosebox system, but it easily breaks down into two 75 pound pieces that I can still handle by myself when I need a clean truck bed.

PSA on the B&W Companion. B&W does NOT allow it to be used with a locking wedge and rotating pinbox system (ie Reese Sidewinder or Lippert Turning Point) IF the hitch is connected to the truck with a single point (gooseball) connection. After a brief panic attack and call to B&W, I discovered you CAN use it with a locking wedge and rotating pinbox system, as long as the hitch is connected to the truck with a four point (factory puck) connection.

Good luck!!

 

We have as well. Sometimes just walking around and seeing more and more 5ers with the Reese Goosebox. Haven't heard anyone complain about them, but have had several questions from traditional hitch owners about the hitch up, ride and chucking.

 

hitching up with the goosebox or any gooseneck connection takes a little practice but not much. If you have an in bed camera then you can see it.

 

If the plan is to hitch/unhitch the fiver a lot, I lean toward a 5th wheel hitch for easier use....just slide into it versus having to be centered for a goose ball. IMO, that's the only real benefit of a 5th wheel hitch.

If only using the fiver sometimes but wanting to have the bed clear for other uses then I lean toward something like a goose box for ease in clearing the truck bed.

Doesn't hurt to double check if your camper is okay with being switched to a goose box before making the switch.

 

When we bought our 5th wheel, I used our sliding hitch to haul it home. I then changed over to a GooseBox, the ride is way, way better. The GooseBox has an air bag and shocks too smooth the ride out.