5th wheel hitches
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 98
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5th wheel hitches
Need opions on what is the best 5th wheel hitch to get. Have always had bumper pulls, so Im new to 5er land. Will be buying a new camper in about a month. Dealerships always have 1 brand so im interested in getting some feedback from you guys that have had several brands and models.
Thanks for any and all input.
Thanks for any and all input.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Trying to buy online, can u suggest a good reese model? I will probably never need a gooseneck, I just want a really good hitch, I would assume that my RV dealer would be able to properly install it? If not, where else should I look to get it installed, It wont be me, Im not crazy about drilling holes in my new truck..lol. Noob questions I know but Im trying to do this right the first time. Thanks all. BTW we are looking at a 2009 Keystone RV Cougar 320SRX, dry weight of 9225 lbs I beleive.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
The Reese rails should just bolt in - they should line up with the 4 center truck box bolts.....remove the bolts and the spring clipped nuts on the frame, then bolt the rails thru the existing holes. And if the occasion ever arises where you need a gooseneck hitch, there are adapters that fit the rails:
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,676
Likes: 20
From: Pine Level NC
The Reese rails should just bolt in - they should line up with the 4 center truck box bolts.....remove the bolts and the spring clipped nuts on the frame, then bolt the rails thru the existing holes. And if the occasion ever arises where you need a goose neck hitch, there are adapters that fit the rails:
Believe me they would be much easier. I can't tell you
how many of these I have installed in the last 10 years.
Just left an RV dealer. This is a good hitch but didn't I
read you did not have a goose neck? This picture is for
a goose neck.
The under bed hitch is a real mother to install, you have to make sure
you cut that center hole perfect. This requires 13 holes 5 in each rail. The regular rail
hitch requires 12 6 in each rail.
Both use an L bracket that bolts to the side of the frame rail.
In my opinion I prefer the above bed rail hitch.
No depending on how much money you want to spend you
can also get one with an air ride system.
Ask Bud, I do know what I am talking about.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Beaver Dam, KY
Sorry but no they do not align with existing bolts.
He's correct they don't come close. How long is your bed? You may want a slider if it's 6ft. Don't make a quick decision check them all.
He's correct they don't come close. How long is your bed? You may want a slider if it's 6ft. Don't make a quick decision check them all.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 1
From: Apex, N.C.
Sorry but no they do not align with existing bolts.
Believe me they would be much easier. I can't tell you
how many of these I have installed in the last 10 years.
Just left an RV dealer. This is a good hitch but didn't I
read you did not have a goose neck? This picture is for
a goose neck.
The under bed hitch is a real mother to install, you have to make sure
you cut that center hole perfect. This requires 13 holes 5 in each rail. The regular rail
hitch requires 12 6 in each rail.
Both use an L bracket that bolts to the side of the frame rail.
In my opinion I prefer the above bed rail hitch.
Believe me they would be much easier. I can't tell you
how many of these I have installed in the last 10 years.
Just left an RV dealer. This is a good hitch but didn't I
read you did not have a goose neck? This picture is for
a goose neck.
The under bed hitch is a real mother to install, you have to make sure
you cut that center hole perfect. This requires 13 holes 5 in each rail. The regular rail
hitch requires 12 6 in each rail.
Both use an L bracket that bolts to the side of the frame rail.
In my opinion I prefer the above bed rail hitch.
What brand of underbed hitch are you referring to? I've installed 3 B&W turnover ball hitches and didn,t have to drill any holes in the chassis. The L brackets were predrilled to match the holes in the chassis. I drilled one 4" hole 4" ahead of the axle and 4 1/2" holes for the u-bolts to hook the gooseneck safety chains to. Took me about 2 hrs to install each hitch by myself.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 0
From: Utah County, UT
What brand of underbed hitch are you referring to? I've installed 3 B&W turnover ball hitches and didn,t have to drill any holes in the chassis. The L brackets were predrilled to match the holes in the chassis. I drilled one 4" hole 4" ahead of the axle and 4 1/2" holes for the u-bolts to hook the gooseneck safety chains to. Took me about 2 hrs to install each hitch by myself.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
Sorry but no they do not align with existing bolts.
Believe me they would be much easier. I can't tell you
how many of these I have installed in the last 10 years.
Just left an RV dealer. This is a good hitch but didn't I
read you did not have a goose neck? This picture is for
a goose neck.
The under bed hitch is a real mother to install, you have to make sure
you cut that center hole perfect. This requires 13 holes 5 in each rail. The regular rail
hitch requires 12 6 in each rail.
Both use an L bracket that bolts to the side of the frame rail.
In my opinion I prefer the above bed rail hitch.
No depending on how much money you want to spend you
can also get one with an air ride system.
Ask Bud, I do know what I am talking about.
Believe me they would be much easier. I can't tell you
how many of these I have installed in the last 10 years.
Just left an RV dealer. This is a good hitch but didn't I
read you did not have a goose neck? This picture is for
a goose neck.
The under bed hitch is a real mother to install, you have to make sure
you cut that center hole perfect. This requires 13 holes 5 in each rail. The regular rail
hitch requires 12 6 in each rail.
Both use an L bracket that bolts to the side of the frame rail.
In my opinion I prefer the above bed rail hitch.
No depending on how much money you want to spend you
can also get one with an air ride system.
Ask Bud, I do know what I am talking about.
And:
Fact: I have a Reese 5th wheel hitch, which bolted into my '05 F250 long box using the exixting holes.
Fact: MY SIL has an '05 F250 and his hitch (don't know what brand) bolted in using existing holes.
Fact: When I traded the '05 for the '08 F350, the hitch changeover was a snap - again the holes lined up.
I also know what I'm talking about. While the fancy turnover hitches are nice, I didn't feel the need to spend that kind of money or go to the trouble
of installing one. The rails don't bother me for what I do.
Bottom line is look at the hitch rails and see if they match the particular vehicle............
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
I have a long bed.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
If you re-read my post, I stated that if there was occasion to pull a gooseneck, the adapter would fit the rails that the 5th wheel hitch uses.......
And:
Fact: I have a Reese 5th wheel hitch, which bolted into my '05 F250 long box using the exixting holes.
Fact: MY SIL has an '05 F250 and his hitch (don't know what brand) bolted in using existing holes.
Fact: When I traded the '05 for the '08 F350, the hitch changeover was a snap - again the holes lined up.
I also know what I'm talking about. While the fancy turnover hitches are nice, I didn't feel the need to spend that kind of money or go to the trouble
of installing one. The rails don't bother me for what I do.
Bottom line is look at the hitch rails and see if they match the particular vehicle............
And:
Fact: I have a Reese 5th wheel hitch, which bolted into my '05 F250 long box using the exixting holes.
Fact: MY SIL has an '05 F250 and his hitch (don't know what brand) bolted in using existing holes.
Fact: When I traded the '05 for the '08 F350, the hitch changeover was a snap - again the holes lined up.
I also know what I'm talking about. While the fancy turnover hitches are nice, I didn't feel the need to spend that kind of money or go to the trouble
of installing one. The rails don't bother me for what I do.
Bottom line is look at the hitch rails and see if they match the particular vehicle............
It would make sense for Reese to make rails that used existing holes. It would make installation way, way easier.
As far as the B&W vs. rails, my truck came used with a B&W. It sure is nice to have a flat bed when you're trying to slide stuff in and out of your truck. If that matters to you, then you want the B&W. If it doesn't, then the Reese rails work just fine.
Also, Reese makes a flat bed hitch setup. I don't know exactly how it works or what kind of holes you end up with in the bed, but it might be worth looking into. Again if having a flat bed is important to you.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
What size/grade bolts to the hitch rails that go into existing holes use? I've never really looked at my bed bolts, but I know that my Dad's Reese doesn't use the existing holes and uses 1/2 inch grade 8 bolts through the bed into the angle brackets that attach to the frame. If the existing hole rails don't use at least this size/grade bolt I wouldn't feel too good hooking my expensive 5th wheel up to it.
It would make sense for Reese to make rails that used existing holes. It would make installation way, way easier.
As far as the B&W vs. rails, my truck came used with a B&W. It sure is nice to have a flat bed when you're trying to slide stuff in and out of your truck. If that matters to you, then you want the B&W. If it doesn't, then the Reese rails work just fine.
Also, Reese makes a flat bed hitch setup. I don't know exactly how it works or what kind of holes you end up with in the bed, but it might be worth looking into. Again if having a flat bed is important to you.
It would make sense for Reese to make rails that used existing holes. It would make installation way, way easier.
As far as the B&W vs. rails, my truck came used with a B&W. It sure is nice to have a flat bed when you're trying to slide stuff in and out of your truck. If that matters to you, then you want the B&W. If it doesn't, then the Reese rails work just fine.
Also, Reese makes a flat bed hitch setup. I don't know exactly how it works or what kind of holes you end up with in the bed, but it might be worth looking into. Again if having a flat bed is important to you.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Im really leaning towards the b&m flip with the 5th wheel companion, looks like a nice way to do it and I would also be able to utilize a goose neck in the future. A bit more than I was going to spend but like I said I want to do this once.