New to 5th Wheel and need advice

Fairview Roamstead

Member
Site Sponsor
RV LIFE Pro
Joined
May 7, 2019
Messages
25
Location
New Hampshire
We just signed the paperwork on a 2024 Influence today and are upgrading from a Reflection travel trailer. I have zero experience with 5th wheels. I will be needing a hitch for my truck and not exactly sure what to look for. My tow vehicle is a Ram 3500 with an 8 foot bed (so I don’t think I need a sliding hitch) and it is prepped for a 5th wheel hitch. Do I need to look for something that will work with the holes in the truck or are hitch bolt patterns pretty much standard? The GVWR of the trailer is 16,800 so should I be looking for a 20K hitch? Any recommendations for a hitch?

Thanks for any info.
 
Last edited:
You'll need to get a hitch for your truck, the pucks are all different so one for a Ram won't fit a GM. There are several to choose from, and everyone pretty much has their favorite. I like the B&W hitch myself, but lots of opinions.
 
I'll second Hoopy's comment on the B&W Companion. I've got the 25K B&W for my Ford truck, but I also have a 20K GVWR trailer. For your trailer, the Companion 20K should be just fine. It's a first class, quality made hitch and should provide years and years of American made service and reliability. Congrats on the new Influence and many happy, safe and fun camping trips.
 
We just signed the paperwork on a 2024 Influence today and are upgrading from a Reflection travel trailer. I have zero experience with 5th wheels. I will be needing a hitch for my truck and not exactly sure what to look for. My tow vehicle is a Ram 3500 with an 8 foot bed (so I don’t think I need a sliding hitch) and it is prepped for a 5th wheel hitch. Do I need to look for something that will work with the holes in the truck or are hitch bolt patterns pretty much standard? The GVWR of the trailer is 16,800 so should I be looking for a 20K hitch? Any recommendations for a hitch?

Thanks for any info.

If you are going to travel a lot, spend the cash and get an air hitch. I have a Hensley Trailersaver BD5, but there are others. It will reduce the shock to your trailer frame as you bounce across our highway system…
 
We just signed the paperwork on a 2024 Influence today and are upgrading from a Reflection travel trailer. I have zero experience with 5th wheels. I will be needing a hitch for my truck and not exactly sure what to look for. My tow vehicle is a Ram 3500 with an 8 foot bed (so I don’t think I need a sliding hitch) and it is prepped for a 5th wheel hitch. Do I need to look for something that will work with the holes in the truck or are hitch bolt patterns pretty much standard? The GVWR of the trailer is 16,800 so should I be looking for a 20K hitch? Any recommendations for a hitch?

Thanks for any info.

I would strongly recommend you consider the Reese GooseBox. We have one and we really love how it rides. We also like that we have access to the full truckbed by simply removing the Goose Ball.

Additionally, we aren't carrying around 500lbs of dead hitch weight whenever we are sight seeing, with the GooseBox, that weight stays with the camper.
 
Additionally, we aren't carrying around 500lbs of dead hitch weight whenever we are sight seeing, with the GooseBox, that weight stays with the camper.

Our 24K Pullrite slider (we have a short bed truck) weighs 320 lbs and may be the heaviest 5th wheel hitch on the market so you won’t be anywhere near 500 lbs. The B&W Companion (non slider-you don’t need a slider) for the Ram puck system is only about 200 lbs. and can be removed in two roughly equal weight pieces.

However, if I had a long bed truck, I would also consider a gooseball type of hitch/pinbox setup. In any event, I would consider a pinbox or hitch that provides vertical shock absorption. The problem is, if you’ve already bought the RV, you already have a pinbox. If it’s not too late, you may be able to talk the dealer into a trade for a different pinbox, like the Curt Flex Air, or get a hitch that provides vertical shock absorption like the Trailsaver mentioned earlier.
 
Last edited:
Lots of options to choose from. If you need your truck bed open and not a heavy hitch in there all the time, I 2nd the ReeseGoose Box (I'll get one of those next time),
Or what I currently use: Anderson Ultimate Hitch. Make sure you get the correct model number if you go this route - the trucks 2020+ all have higher side rails, so there's a "new" hitch model that sits higher than the old one. Call Anderson if you're not sure, they have excellent customer service. The hitch only weighs 40 lbs (rated for 24k lbs) and it's a very quick couple of minutes to install/take out.
https://andersenhitches.com/product/ultimate-connection/

If you get a AUH, also recommend you buy the rubber base mat - keeps everything nice and snug and no hitch rotation or slipping.
 
Last edited:
In any event, I would consider a pinbox or hitch that provides vertical shock absorption.

I think you are spot on…something to remove shock to the frame up front. The Goosebox has a longer lever arm on the front beam, but at least it provides cushion, which may be why Lippert approves its use. If a rig sits at the campground most of its life, it won’t matter, but if you spend a lot of time on the road, you need as many odds in your favor as possible.
 
Anderson Ultimate Hitch. Make sure you get the correct model number if you go this route - the trucks 2020+ all have higher side rails, so there's a "new" hitch model that sits higher than the old one. Call Anderson if you're not sure, they have excellent customer service. The hitch only weighs 40 lbs (rated for 24k lbs) and it's a very quick couple of minutes to install/take out.
https://andersenhitches.com/product/ultimate-connection/

Second the suggestion of Andersen. Compared to the hitch on our old TT, the Andersen is a breeze to hitch and is easy to remove if you need room in your truck bed.
 
I'll second Hoopy's comment on the B&W Companion. I've got the 25K B&W for my Ford truck, but I also have a 20K GVWR trailer. For your trailer, the Companion 20K should be just fine. It's a first class, quality made hitch and should provide years and years of American made service and reliability. Congrats on the new Influence and many happy, safe and fun camping trips.

X3 on the B&W Companion/Puck setup. Solid unit that performs as advertised. Form, fit and function. Combined with the MorRyde pin box and you have a top shelf combo.

Dutchman2
 
Thanks for all the information everyone. I talked to the dealer about a hitch and they said they generally sell the B&W Companion and quoted me $1869 for the hitch and installation. I noticed the hitch is available on Amazon for $1399 but plus $200 for shipping or available from Camping World for $1549 with free shipping. I guess the question would be how hard is it to install myself having the puck system or is it worth the extra $300+ for them to order it and install it?

Some of the other hitches mentioned here sound nice and someday I may go a different route, but I’m leaning toward the B&W.
 
Thanks for all the information everyone. I talked to the dealer about a hitch and they said they generally sell the B&W Companion and quoted me $1869 for the hitch and installation. I noticed the hitch is available on Amazon for $1399 but plus $200 for shipping or available from Camping World for $1549 with free shipping. I guess the question would be how hard is it to install myself having the puck system or is it worth the extra $300+ for them to order it and install it?

Some of the other hitches mentioned here sound nice and someday I may go a different route, but I’m leaning toward the B&W.
Just a consideration: I bought my B&W puck style hitch for my Ram off Facebook Marketplace from a guy about 50 miles away for $550. It had been used a couple times, and after it had been cleaned, it was really dirty, it looked brand new. FWIW, I sold my old B&W Turn-Over Ball hitch on Facebook Marketplace for $500, so it worked out very well. :)

After a quick look on Facebook Marketplace just now, I came across several B&W hitches for the Ram puck system for anywhere from $500 to $900.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the information everyone. I talked to the dealer about a hitch and they said they generally sell the B&W Companion and quoted me $1869 for the hitch and installation. I noticed the hitch is available on Amazon for $1399 but plus $200 for shipping or available from Camping World for $1549 with free shipping. I guess the question would be how hard is it to install myself having the puck system or is it worth the extra $300+ for them to order it and install it?

Some of the other hitches mentioned here sound nice and someday I may go a different route, but I’m leaning toward the B&W.

Check Etrailer.com website. Looks like $1,399 for the 25K puck unit with free shipping. We got ours delivered in (2) days. Assemble and install on the GMC was not an issue. Directions are good and YT video's are also a good way to follow the assemble process. I personally would not spend the money to have it installed. Odds are you will need to adjust it for the bed clearance. Knowing how to do that is a plus from doing the assemble yourself.

Dutchman2
 
Check Etrailer.com website. Looks like $1,399 for the 25K puck unit with free shipping. We got ours delivered in (2) days. Assemble and install on the GMC was not an issue. Directions are good and YT video's are also a good way to follow the assemble process. I personally would not spend the money to have it installed. Odds are you will need to adjust it for the bed clearance. Knowing how to do that is a plus from doing the assemble yourself.

Dutchman2

Our Pullrite slider uses the Ram puck system. First RV hitch I ever installed and it was easy and straightforward. You'll want some muscle to help left the pieces (100+ lbs each??) into place but otherwise simple. Our Pullrite is beefier at over 300# but I've got an engine hoist. If you go through the install yourself, you'll have a better understanding of how it works and you'll know it was done right. Our hitch came with great instructions and yours should also. If you do buy used and do not get instructions, you should be able to get the install instructions from B&W's website.

If you want some reassurance, have the RV dealer look over your install. They should do that for free given the amount of money you gave them for the RV.
 
Last edited:
We bought our B&W off Craig's List $500 It was only a year old when we bought it off a guy switching to an air ride hitch, but that was 5 years ago now. Installation is simple, I would not pay someone to install it.

We also bought our MORryde pin box off Craigs's List, $400, it was also less than a year old. A guy had bought a new truck with bed side tool boxes and the hitch wouldn't clear. It came off a Jayco RV but its the same one for the Solitude. That was also 5 years ago now.

Search around you might find what you need close by. If not find the cheapest price for new delivered and install it yourself. Starting point installation by installing the vertical arms to the base so the weight is over the rear axle (adjustment = forward, over, aft) and mid height ( adjustment = high, middle, low) adjustment.
Hook up your 5th wheel and see if its level with the truck and how much truck bed to bottom of RV clearance you have. If you have to adjust its a simple matter of unbolting the vertical arms and bolting them back on in a different place. You will need a torque wrench.
 
For the price you were quoted you could go with a gooseneck. My last Momentum fifth wheel I used the Reese but didn’t like filling the airbags. My new Momentum I installed the GenY which is now approved by Lippert. Both hitches pull smoother than anything I’ve ever used. And I get my bed space when the trailer isn’t on.
 
We just upgraded from a TT to the 2024 Influence 3503gk too. No need for a slider hitch with an 8ft bed. We have a B&W hitch also and love it. Easy to remove with the puck system when not towing. Recommend getting a roll up bed cover. The flip ones can block your view of the hitch and the tonneau covers are all or nothing.
 
Whatever hitch you decide will work. Keep in mind the trailer will not track the same as your bumper pull. The pivot point is above rear axle and cuts corners far tighter than a bumper pull.
 
I'm 7 years into running B&W hitches. Works great, except one mishap... my fault. FW came off at about 65mph when I hit some heaves in the road. Note to self, make sure the locking pin go's into both holes. Thankfully no one was harmed, as my tailgate became a V shaped cradle with the FW pin buried in the metal and plastic. Pulled it along quite nicely as it slid on the front landing gear. Never good to look in the mirror after feeling an impact and the truck getting jerked back and forth only to see your FW is still there, but it's further away and much lower than it should be. lol.

Seriously though, the B&W's are great. No slop and easy to use(when done correctly). If I was to try anything else, it would be the Gen Y or Reese, but I already can't reach the hitch on a DRW to unhook without getting in the bed(annoying) so can't imagine how I'd do the safety chains on those. Additionally, a standard FW hitch is just super easy for hookup. My opinion. Lots of good options out there.

Good luck with your decision whatever it is and enjoy the new FW. If you get a B&W don't do what I did.
 

New posts

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom