What Size, Capacity Fifth Wheel Hitch

[P_Colahan]

We are looking to buy our first Fifth Wheel trailer. I have an F350 4x4 long bed dually. The truck has the wiring into the bed and a brake control in the cab. There are actually a large 7 pin and a round 5 pin connector in the bed. Don't know if Fifth wheels need both.
But want buy a good hitch. We are looking at something about 36 foot. I hear you want an articulating hitch but what capacity would you recommend? What advice could you share?
Any advice or help that you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[2001400ex]

Look at the Anderson ultimate. Perfect if you already have a gooseneck ball. And only 35 pounds. Rated for 24k.

[Tango__AE7UI]

Third or fourth for the B&W and the Companion.
Heavy and SOLID.
At 75, I can still install and remove it by myself.
If I remember the base is 99#'s and the Companion is 79#'s.

[phillyg]

If you have two electrical connections in the bed the truck has likely been used as a tow vehicle in the past. I'd think the 7-pin connector is for a FW and the 5-pin for some other application, maybe a stock trailer.

[Old-Biscuit]

P Colahan wrote:
Thanks guys, much appreciate the responses. It makes sense to match or slightly over the truck rating. There sure are a lot of hitches out there. Thanks for the recommendations.

Is it normal for 5th wheels to have tow electrical plugs to the tow vehicle. As I said earlier, I have one 7 and one 5 pin in the bed. Notice last night while scoping RV Trader that I could see what looked like two cords coming out by the hitch. What are they used or?

5 pin round .......has right/left--brake lights, ground, tail/marker lights and brake power wire
Typical for flat bed trailers, horse/cargo trailers etc.

7 pin blade........all of the 5 pin PLUS trailer battery charge line and backup lights


SO you would have the trailer umbilical cord ....plugs into 7 pin nd then 'other' cord/strap would be for the 'Emergency Break Away Switch' pin .....connects to tow vehicle so Pin gets pulled out of switch IF trailer becomes separated from tow vehicle. Allows FULL trailer battery voltage to trailer brakes so stop run away trailer

[Cummins12V98]

B&W, you will NEVER have a complaint.

[laknox]

P Colahan wrote:
Thanks guys, much appreciate the responses. It makes sense to match or slightly over the truck rating. There sure are a lot of hitches out there. Thanks for the recommendations.

Is it normal for 5th wheels to have tow electrical plugs to the tow vehicle. As I said earlier, I have one 7 and one 5 pin in the bed. Notice last night while scoping RV Trader that I could see what looked like two cords coming out by the hitch. What are they used or?

Most all FWs will have the standard 7-pin plug, so use that one. Not sure why there's a 5-pin, but previous owner may have had a GN stock trailer that used it.

Lyle

[laknox]

P Colahan wrote:
We are looking to buy our first Fifth Wheel trailer. I have an F350 4x4 long bed dually. The truck has the wiring into the bed and a brake control in the cab. There are actually a large 7 pin and a round 5 pin connector in the bed. Don't know if Fifth wheels need both.
But want buy a good hitch. We are looking at something about 36 foot. I hear you want an articulating hitch but what capacity would you recommend? What advice could you share?
Any advice or help that you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

As an avowed B&W "fanboy", I will recommend any of the appropriate B&W Companion hitches. Excellent products with an even better company to stand behind them. Their Patriot hitches fit on a set of universal rails and comes in 16k and 18k sizes. If you want to go whole hog and have a clean bed when the hitch is removed, you can install the Turnover Ball Gooseneck base with a Companion FW hitch. 20k trailer with 5k pin weight.

Lyle

[JIMNLIN]

5th wheel hitches ??
Conventional hitches can weigh 250-275 + lbs and can be a load to remove from the truck.

Hitches like the Pullrite Superlite ...... Anderson may weigh in the 40-60 lb range.
Check them all out and choose the type you like.

[P_Colahan]

Thanks guys, much appreciate the responses. It makes sense to match or slightly over the truck rating. There sure are a lot of hitches out there. Thanks for the recommendations.

Is it normal for 5th wheels to have tow electrical plugs to the tow vehicle. As I said earlier, I have one 7 and one 5 pin in the bed. Notice last night while scoping RV Trader that I could see what looked like two cords coming out by the hitch. What are they used or?

[Toolguy5]

MFL wrote:
I suggest buying a hitch that fits the capacity of the truck. If the truck is rated to tow 18K, I'd get a hitch rated at least that amount. While there are many good hitches, some are more user friendly than others. I am most familiar with B&W brand, which is a popular choice, due to high quality, at a reasonable price. See them at e-trailer.com in 16K 18K 20K, at a good price.

Jerry

X2

[guidry]

Do your research like on this forum and get a quality, easy to use hitch. BW is my choice but there are a few others that are very good too. I've heard good things about Anderson.

[dfletch]

I got a Curt Q20 for my 16k GVW Silverback. It is a solid unit and was reasonby priced.

[MFL]

I suggest buying a hitch that fits the capacity of the truck. If the truck is rated to tow 18K, I'd get a hitch rated at least that amount. While there are many good hitches, some are more user friendly than others. I am most familiar with B&W brand, which is a popular choice, due to high quality, at a reasonable price. See them at e-trailer.com in 16K 18K 20K, at a good price.

Jerry

[Old-Biscuit]

Whatever brand you buy........lots of good ones........buy one that has a higher rated capacity then the GVWR of your trailer


Trailer GVWR 14K......buy a 16K

Trailer GVWR 20K......buy a 25K


How much do you want to spend?
Pricing all over the map and all are good hitches