New truck, new hitch questions

[Hoopy Frood]

We've used a B&W Companion hitch for nearly 15 years, and when we changed trucks, and went to the puck system, we bought the Companion with puck system. That's how much we like the B&W hitch. IMO the only way to, maybe, be better is with one of the air ride hitches, at twice the price and twice the weight.

[jeririgged223]

I have a 2022 F350 long bed with the puck system. First of all if your truck didn't come from the factory with the puck system already installed you won't be able to put the puck hitch in. It's a factory install as it requires modifications to the bed that are done before the bed is mounted to the frame. Last I heard there is no aftermarket puck systems out there. The 5th wheel prep package is something completely different it only has to do with having the 7 pin plug in the bed, etc

[Whitexc]

I plan to install the OEM puck system (to accommodate the puck style hitch) along with the hitch and 7 pin plug in the bed. This is very much something that can be done after the fact. Would it have been wiser, cheaper and easier to have done when the truck was built....of course. We all know how life goes. Strap in for the ride.

[Hoppyz06]

I have a 2022 F350 long bed and use the B&W 25K OEM companion and love it for towing my Reflection 220RK. Yes the hitch is overkill, but I might want to move up in trailer size some day. The only difference between the 20K and the 25K is the head support arms. It is the best hitch I have ever owned in my 45 years of towing. Whats fantastic about it is in unlevel camp sites you can drive out of it even if the jaws don't open (make sure it is fully unlocked). No binding. It is also noiseless, even driving to Alaska on those horrendous roads.

Hope this helps

PS It is the only USA made 5th wheel hitch and thier customer service is great - they answer phones.

On edit I also have the Retrax Pro rolling bed cover and have 7" of clearance, and the hitch head fits under the cover when closed.

Though I do not have a Ford, I went with the B&W Companion 20k (puck system) and love it. I have no clearance issues and the hitch fits under the Extang Solid Fold with room to spare. Never had an issue unhooking especially on uneven ground and validating whether the jaws are locked is a cinch!

[tdginctr]

Though I do not have a Ford, I went with the B&W Companion 20k (puck system) and love it. I have no clearance issues and the hitch fits under the Extang Solid Fold with room to spare. Never had an issue unhooking especially on uneven ground and validating whether the jaws are locked is a cinch!

I have a Companion hitch and did have a problem once this year unhitching. The issue was that the landing gear was raised a bit too high so there was pressure on the pin as it was actually lifting the hitch slightly. I wasn’t able to pull the truck away. I could have if I had used more force but I didn’t want to pop anything. The solution was to lower the pin to the correct level so no upward pressure. Then I was able to unhitch fine.

[Malco1]

I think @Misterpiano was referring to issues of bed rail clearance with the 1/2 ton trucks vs. the 3/4 and 1 ton. I've wondered about this myself, as I tow with an older 3/4 ton that sets much lower than newer models. My trailer sets perfectly level but it's hard to imagine how you can accomplish this with the newer trucks that set much higher.

I am not familiar with older Ford trucks. The oldest Ford truck I had was a 2019 F250, but I can tell you that the 2020 F250 is 2" lower than the 2019. Truck manufactures are making trucks lower now to accommodate the new 5th wheels. There is no difference in height between a F250 and F350 SRW.