Hitch Recommendations-337 RLS+2016 Ford F350 Short bed

SL

slosilva

Guest
Just joined the forum but have been reading various posts since buying my Reflection 337 in April 2015. I'm switching trucks to a 2016 Ford F350 with a short bed. It has the Ford factory installed fifth wheel prep package. I was surprised to see there are limited options for this setup. I need a hitch that is easily removed as I also tow often using the integrated gooseneck ball. I've narrowed my choices down to the Reese Elite w/slider ($$$$) or the Curt Q20 w/ slider. A local RV shop said I could get away without having a slider and recommended the B&W drop in hitch compatible with Fords. Suggestions? Anyone else towing a reflection with a 2011 or later short bed Ford SD? On another note this is my first RV and I've been shocked at how much warranty work gets done on a new RV. Is this normal? I've owned the fifth wheel for a year and it's been at the dealer more than 50% of that time. I really like the Reflection but I'm questioning GD's quality...or is this normal? Thanks in advance.
 
I too have a Super Duty with prep kit. I started with a Sidewinder Pin Box and Reese 16K from my previous set up (5' 7" bed in F150). I got the Reese picture frame adapter which fits the pucks but has rails for mounting my 16K. I did this because of the price of the Reese puck hitch. Later I learned of the Curt Q20 and B&W RVK3300 hitches which both drop into the prep pucks. B&W is one of the best and has the option to move the hitch head further away from the cab, so I probably would have gotten that one had I known. Since then I've discovered the Andersen Ultimate hitch which is a completely different concept, weighs from 32 to 45 lbs depending on model and will fit either rails or goose ball. It gets great reviews and the light weight will keep me from injury. Before you blow it off because it is different, Pullrite Superlite has just come out with the same concept.
So I am getting the Andersen Ultimate rail mount to go on the Reese adapter.
 
Welcome to the forum!

Another option would be the Andersen Ultimate hitch attached to the gooseneck ball in the truck. Many on here already using that set-up on short-bed trucks without issue. I'm using a B&W Patriot (non-sliding) hitch with our 337 and am happy with that...I never used the slider that was in it previously. You may not always be able to get to 90 degrees backing up, but you'll find that as you get more experience, you won't need to either.

As far as new RV's and service work required, it's an RV thing...whether new or old, there's always something to work on or improve. If you rely on the dealership to fix everything that ever needs attention, you'll soon be frustrated. Whether under warranty or not I've fixed most things myself as I'd rather have it in my driveway available for camping than sitting in the dealer's yard waiting for repair.

Dave
 
Checkout Pullrite slider for short beds


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
We have a 2015 F350 SB with the 337 and have the Reese Elite 18k hitch. Was thinking we needed the slider but dealer talked is out of it and not having any problems without the slider.
 
I like my manual slider for maneuvering when backing into a site. Being able to put the trailer pin 10" behind the axle means that the trailer reacts much more quickly to changes in truck angle.

Rob
 
Andersen Ultimate here. At 37lbs, its hard to beat a one person removal.

Cent frum my sell phone so pleeze excuse my spelling and grahmar.
 
Andersen Ultimate hitch attached to the gooseneck ball in the truck is what we have used for over a year, love it , easy to install, easy and quick to remove.The Andersen hitch and factory ball i would be willing to bet less expensive than any other fifth wheel hitch. Good Luck!!!!!
 
Yet another Andersen fan, here. We added a Demco Glide Ride pin box to the trailer and the combination tows very nicely (CC short bed truck).

Rob
 
Justaguy said:
Second Chance, would really like to see a pic of your set up.
Click to expand...

Dean,

I don't have a pic of the hitch and pin box setup at the moment. We are currently "encamped" but will be hitching up and pulling out Monday. I'll try to get a pick then and post it.

Rob
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I ended up ordering the 18K Reese Elite w/ slider (just in case) mainly because it seemed to be the easiest to remove/install on a regular basis. Last thought, I've read a few other forum post indicating that when using the slider you should be cautious about the pinbox contacting the sides/tailgate when the slider is in the rear position. Maybe I'm overthinking this.
 
The thing I like the most about the Andersen is I can raise the ball high enough, pin box clears the sides of pickup in a sharp turn.
 
Justaguy said:
Second Chance, would really like to see a pic of your set up.
Click to expand...

Dean,

Sorry it took me so long - let me know if you have any questions. There is a Bak-Flip tonneau cover folded up flat in the front with the "blue tote" and a cooler under it. I haven't had any clearance problems.

IMG_0335 (Small).jpg
IMG_0336 (Small).JPG

Rob
 
Second Chance said:
Dean,

Sorry it took me so long - let me know if you have any questions. There is a Bak-Flip tonneau cover folded up flat in the front with the "blue tote" and a cooler under it. I haven't had any clearance problems.

View attachment 3807
View attachment 3808

Rob
Click to expand...

Wow Rob, that looks so close back there! I've never seen anyone mount both the frame and the adapter oriented to the rear. Do the down plates on your pin come as close on the side rails as they appear to on the rear?

Mine is exactly opposite. I guess that goes to show the flexibility of the Andersen hitches!

 
Poppy's 5th Wheel said:
Wow Rob, that looks so close back there! I've never seen anyone mount both the frame and the adapter oriented to the rear. Do the down plates on your pin come as close on the side rails as they appear to on the rear?

Mine is exactly opposite. I guess that goes to show the flexibility of the Andersen hitches!
Click to expand...

No, Paul. With the hitch in the rear position, the pin adapter is mounted to the rear of the pin, as well. This puts the trailer weight in about the same place, but was done to shorten the radius of the pin box when turning. It kept the clearance to the tailgate about the same. After setup (it was set up the opposite initially), we put it through its paces slow-mo with a tech walking on either side. Going forward, it's hard to turn tightly enough to get into trouble. Backing up, the bottom corner of the front cap with approach the back of the cab before there are any clearance issues with the pin box, bed, hitch, etc.

Rob
 
Second Chance said:
No, Paul. With the hitch in the rear position, the pin adapter is mounted to the rear of the pin, as well. This puts the trailer weight in about the same place, but was done to shorten the radius of the pin box when turning. It kept the clearance to the tailgate about the same. After setup (it was set up the opposite initially), we put it through its paces slow-mo with a tech walking on either side. Going forward, it's hard to turn tightly enough to get into trouble. Backing up, the bottom corner of the front cap with approach the back of the cab before there are any clearance issues with the pin box, bed, hitch, etc.

Rob
Click to expand...

So are you saying that even though our configurations are exactly opposite, the trailers weight is in the same position either way?

So, if I reversed both my hitch and my adapter my trailer weight would be the exact same in the truck but my pin box would remain "deeper" in the truck bed to provide more clearance at both the rear and sides?

I'm trying to visualize this.
 
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