When you buy a used 5th wheel private party...

[WaterJosh]

How do you get it home, eventually plan on going this route and as I have a ram 2500 megacab plan on getting a sidewinder hitch, do you just have to get it home once and then get your new hitch, seems like they aren't universal

[Imbriaco]

Just bought our 1st 5th wheel, after years of campers and trailers. I’m beginning to think that picking out the trailer was easier than picking out the hitch for my truck!??
2001 F350 crew cab long bed

[2012Coleman]

WaterJosh wrote:
Kinda looking at the anderson hitch as i didnt get the 5th wheel prep kit with the truck and honestly, I'm nervous about drilling holes in my new truck. I really appreciate all the info from everyone

I didn't have the fifth wheel prep either. Called a local dealer and asked them if they installed it - they said they sent them to a custom hitch shop in town. I called them, and they installed it.

Go to etrailer.com and purchase a B&W slider for your short bed ram. I did, didn't slide it back because thought I didn't have to, and dented my cab/put out back window while putting it into my driveway - being careful to watch the corners - only takes a second.

It's fixed like brand new now, but lesson learned.

[time2roll]

The pin on the trailer is standard and will work with any hitch made to interlock with a pin. Only concern would be the height adjustment. Just drill as needed, people do this every day. Have a pro do it if needed.

If the trailer has a gooseneck or other ball type connection you will need a different hitch. Andersen uses a ball.

[MFL]

Lyle...just curious if that applies to the single point attached Companion, or includes rail mount Patriot, and other puck attached Companions? I know you said ANY FLAVOR, but don't see the issue with 4-point attachment.

Jerry

[WaterJosh]

Kinda looking at the anderson hitch as i didnt get the 5th wheel prep kit with the truck and honestly, I'm nervous about drilling holes in my new truck. I really appreciate all the info from everyone

[laknox]

WaterJosh, if you are at all considering a B&W hitch of any flavor, last I knew, using a Sidewinder, or any other method to shift the pivot position of the king pin, is NOT supported by B&W, will void any warranty and they will offer little to no after-sales support. Double-check with them, to be 100% sure, but I've not seen any policy change on their part.

Lyle

[jkwilson]

WaterJosh wrote:
The concern for me, i have towed a fair amount, never a 5th wheel. I have a brand new ram 2500 megacab, would love to not wipe out the cab with the trailer if you know what i mean

Certainly a valid concern, but you have to try it out sometime. Planning, patience and being observant when you first start is the way to go. Plan your route so there aren't any tight places, don't move on off level areas without people watching the clearance and do some research with other owners of the same rig to see what hitch and results they have.

Take your time, both when hitching the first time and while getting a feel for how much range you have.

[MFL]

Most of the later model FWs have a front cap designed for 6.5 bed towing. Yes the Ram has the shortest distance from rear axle center, to back of cab. If you install your hitch, set in rear most position, just to get it home, it should work without issue. Yes, as mentioned, caution when turning/backing SHORT, will be necessary. When you get the Sidewinder installed, it will be a non-issue, and you can put your hitch in whatever position works best.

Jerry

[memtb]

Fears justified! As never having a short-bed truck, I’m in “uncharted waters”! ( pun intended)

Best of Luck....hope everything works out well for you!

[WaterJosh]

The concern for me, i have towed a fair amount, never a 5th wheel. I have a brand new ram 2500 megacab, would love to not wipe out the cab with the trailer if you know what i mean

[memtb]

WaterJosh wrote:
No hitch in the truck yet primarily because of dealing with having just moved... but i thought devices like the sidewinder replaced the pin box on the trailer and were therefore sized to the trailer, am i mistaken?

I wasn’t familiar with the “sidewinder”...... thought it was a hitch, not a pin-box replacement. If it’s a pin-box replacement... it will likely need to be trailer specific. Though you could stay with the conventional set-up ( using your hitch), then....once home get your trailer specific “sidewinder”. Just be “very” careful on tight turns!

Sorry! I’m old school.....conventional Reese Hitch in a long bed truck ( until 2 weeks ago), and the standard 5th wheel pin on trailer!

I guess that I wasn’t much help!

[WaterJosh]

No hitch in the truck yet primarily because of dealing with having just moved... but i thought devices like the sidewinder replaced the pin box on the trailer and were therefore sized to the trailer, am i mistaken?

[memtb]

Maybe I’m being too simplistic here, but, you know what hitch you’re going to use .....install the hitch and bring it home with you. You may have to make an adjustment, but that’s easily done.
We’ve been buying 5er’s since ‘91 (a total of five now), and always brought them home ourselves. That fartherest away being approx. 1200 miles (each way). If you need time for the hitch installation.....perhaps the unit can be held for a little while.

“If” it’s a long way....think of it as a mini-vacation with your new (to you) 5er. Usually, Time was “NOT” our friend....I think we were back home (the 1200 mile trip), less than 30 hours after getting it! That’s “not” a mini-vacation! ??

[2012Coleman]

WaterJosh wrote:
We are probably a few months out still but was just asking as a rule of thumb, no 5th wheel hitch currently in my truck even. One of the things that is nice about the house we just bought is a nice rv pad with full hookups, including 50a service

So what is stopping you from getting a hitch now?