Question re: fifth wheel hitch

[JesseBradbury]

Hi all, had a couple of questions regarding purchasing a hitch for a fifth wheel. We have a Dodge ram 3500 duallie but don’t have the trailer yet. Looking at getting the Solitude 375res. Being completely new to this, my questions might be silly! First question: 1) trailer loaded will be under 20,000lbs., but I have a chance to get a new Mopar fifth wheel hitch rated for 30,000lb for a good price. Is there a problem getting a hitch that is weight rated that much higher than the trailer I’ll be towing? Also, since I don’t have the trailer yet, are the hitches pretty standard and I don’t need to worry about the connection, or should I be waiting until I get the trailer and then buy a hitch specific for the trailer?

Thanks everyone!
Jesse

[ramcneal]

Others with more experience I'm sure will chime in, but from what I read a hitch that has a higher weight rating is fine for a lower weight trailer. The difference is that if you match the trailer weight to the hitch rating you could in theory buy a less expensive hitch which uses thinner/lighter metal.

I've never heard of different size king pins on trailers. That would be a nightmare for manufacturers, both trailer and hitch makers. The only case I can think of where there'd be a size difference would be with a true semi sized trailer who's king pin would be sized for ~80,000lbs.

[JesseBradbury]

Thanks! That is helpful!

[Second Chance]

King pins are all the same size. It's no problem buying a hitch rated for more than the GVWR of the trailer, either (we have an 18K hitch with a 14K GVWR trailer). There's no such thing as a "specific" hitch for a trailer. The only situations where generic rules don't hold true is with a 1) an auto-sliding hitch which requires a capture plate to match your pinbox, or 2) if you end up using and Andersen Ultimate or a PullRite SuperLite hitch and want a dampened pinbox. In the case of number 2, there are certain pinboxes that aren't compatible with those two hitches without lock-out modifications. Bottom line... pick a good hitch (and there are plenty out there) that meets or exceeds the weight specs of your trailer and have fun.

Rob

[xrated]

I tow a 20K lb GVWR Momentum 394 and I'm using a B&W Companion 25K rated hitch. One thing to keep in mind also is not only the "towing capacity" of the hitch, they also are rated for pin weight. Mine, if I remember correctly has a pin weight rating of over 6000 lbs, which is more than the 5270 lbs of payload capacity of my Dually, so the hitch is heavier rated in both the towing capacity and pin weight capacity. Yes, it's more expensive than a hitch with the 20K rating, but I always, if given a choice will buy heavier duty rating equipment than what is actually needed....a bit of a safety factor if you will.

[WhittleBurner]

We have a 20k# hitch for our 303 which is 11k#. The reason being if we ever upgrade our trailer the hitch will not be a problem. We are now thinking about upgrading and the hitch is no concern.

[geotex1]

Extra capacity is fine. The question really is length of your bed, unless I missed it. With the 8 foot and change ike me, any good fixed 5er hitch will do. If you have a shorter bed, eyeball a sliding hitch. If you like an open bed like I do when not camping, take a look at the Reese Goosebox conversion which is the same money as a good 5er hitch.

[ramcneal]

Extra capacity is fine. The question really is length of your bed, unless I missed it. With the 8 foot and change ike me, any good fixed 5er hitch will do. If you have a shorter bed, eyeball a sliding hitch. If you like an open bed like I do when not camping, take a look at the Reese Goosebox conversion which is the same money as a good 5er hitch.

The OP has a Dodge 3500 dually and the Mopar hitch would use the puck system built into the bed of the truck. I've got a Dodge 3500 and purchased the B&W companion OEM hitch. Nice and clean install and when the hitch is removed there's nothing in the bed. As stated he can get the hitch at a good price which is probably better than any hitch we might suggest. Unless he's got one of those strange configurations with the mega cab and only a 6' 6" bed he probably doesn't need anything else.

[geotex1]

The OP has a Dodge 3500 dually and the Mopar hitch would use the puck system built into the bed of the truck. I've got a Dodge 3500 and purchased the B&W companion OEM hitch. Nice and clean install and when the hitch is removed there's nothing in the bed. As stated he can get the hitch at a good price which is probably better than any hitch we might suggest. Unless he's got one of those strange configurations with the mega cab and only a 6' 6" bed he probably doesn't need anything else.

Well heck! If my signature had not disappeared on that post reply, you'd know that I have the heaviest of hitters in the RAM 3500 dually flavor - 29,000# tow capacity!

My point was more related to muscling a 5th wheel hitch out of the bed or lifting a goose ball out of the puck... I have the same B&W Companion puck mount collecting dust in the garage because at this point as all my trailers are now towed on the goose ball as I have a few in addition to the new Solitude. Given the years keep ticking by for me and my back has too many miles and collision damage, even picking the Companion off with the engine hoist was getting old and I was never a fan of leaving it hang from the pin box.

Different strokes and all, but a valid consideration. If you shop REAL hard, you can find the 20K Gen2 Goosebox for $1079 delivered by LTL freight.

[ramcneal]

Well heck! If my signature had not disappeared on that post reply, you'd know that I have the heaviest of hitters in the RAM 3500 dually flavor - 29,000# tow capacity!

My point was more related to muscling a 5th wheel hitch out of the bed or lifting a goose ball out of the puck... I have the same B&W Companion puck mount collecting dust in the garage because at this point as all my trailers are now towed on the goose ball as I have a few in addition to the new Solitude. Given the years keep ticking by for me and my back has too many miles and collision damage, even picking the Companion off with the engine hoist was getting old and I was never a fan of leaving it hang from the pin box.

Different strokes and all, but a valid consideration. If you shop REAL hard, you can find the 20K Gen2 Goosebox for $1079 delivered by LTL freight.

I hadn't thought about the weight issue of the hitch. Definitely a valid point as you know the base of the B&W isn't light.