What 5th Wheel Hitch Do I Need?
Choosing the right 5th wheel hitch for your truck and trailer setup can be overwhelming. With numerous manufacturers offering various styles for different truck bed lengths and brands, it’s essential to understand the key factors to consider when making your decision.
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While most of the differences between hitches come down to personal preference, it’s crucial to note that if you have a 5th wheel with a gooseneck, you’ll need a specific type of hitch – a ball hitch – which is covered in a separate article.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll review the three main types of 5th wheel hitches – rail mount, ball mount, and puck mount – and provide our top recommendations for each category.
By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge needed to select the best 5th wheel hitch for your specific needs and ensure a safe, comfortable towing experience.
Key Takeaways:
- The most important factor when selecting a 5th wheel hitch is ensuring it’s rated to pull your trailer’s weight.
- There are three main mounting styles: traditional rail mounts, newer puck mounts, and gooseneck ball mount systems.
- For short bed trucks, a slider 5th wheel hitch is recommended to prevent damage to the truck cab.
- Most differences between hitches are a matter of preference, except for 5th wheels with goosenecks, which require a specific ball hitch.
In the following sections, we’ll dive deeper into each type of 5th wheel hitch, discussing their unique features, pros, and cons.
We’ll also provide a comprehensive review of the top-performing hitches in each category, making it easier for you to compare and contrast your options.
Whether you’re a seasoned RV enthusiast or a first-time 5th wheel owner, this guide will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision and enjoy a safe, stress-free towing experience.
Summary (links to Amazon)
- Best Rail Mount – B&W Patriot 18K 5th-Wheel Hitch
- Best Ball Mount – B&W Companion RVK3500 5th Wheel Hitch
- Best Puck Mount – B&W Ford Puck Companion 5th-Wheel Hitch
Part 1: Rail Mount 5th Wheel Hitches Reviews & Info
ISR mounts known as industry standard rail mounts are the most common 5th wheel hitch mounting style you will see in the bed of a pickup truck.
They are two steel straps with holes that are installed in the center of the bed running from side to side.
ISR mount or rail mount fifth wheel hitches have loops on the bottom that fit into the holes or slots on the rails. A pin is then inserted to secure the hitch to the rail mounts.
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Rail mounts don’t take up much space in the bed of a truck but they do stick up a few inches. This style of 5th wheel hitch mount is the most difficult to remove the hitch from once you’ve towed with it.
It’s not impossible but a puck mount or ball mount hitch releases much easier.
Something to think about if you are planning on removing the fifth wheel hitch from the truck bed a lot.
Best Overall
Most Lightweight
Best Design
Most Heavy Duty
Last update on 2024-11-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. B&W Patriot 18K 5th Wheel Hitch
The Patriot is B&W’s rail mount 5th-wheel hitches. They have another fifth wheel hitch, the Companion, that is also very popular but is for puck and ball mount only.
Luckily the B&W Patriots have a lot of the same premium features as the Companion.
There are two weight ratings the 16K (16,000 lbs) and the 18K (18,000 lbs) which is shown in the picture above.
The 18K Patriot weighs 138 lbs and the 16K Patriot weighs 147 lbs. They both have the same footprint of 31.5 inches wide and 24 inches deep.
The main coupler can change position giving you 4 inches of front to back adjustment for the head and there are four vertical adjustments that can go from 16-19 inches tall.
The head can fully tilt in any direction for easy hitching and unhitching. It’s cushioned and supported by springs that help prevent bucking and help with smooth towing.
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The jaw cam lever is easy to release so you don’t have to pound it with a hammer when you are unhitching on unlevel surfaces and the full wrap around jaws are 3/4 inches thick.
The head sits on polyurethane coated bushings so there’s no noise from metal to metal movement which results in less noise while towing.
The Patriot fits on all standard mounting rails so if your truck already has some installed chances are the B&W Patriot 5th wheel hitch will be compatible.
There is a B&W Patriot 18K Slider 5th-Wheel Hitch for short bed trucks. It’s rated to tow up to 18,000 lbs and can slide 12 inches back.
All the features on the Patriot Slider are the same as the standard Patriot 5th-wheel hitches so you won’t sacrifice any of the things that make B&W hitches so fantastic.
It is a little larger because it’s a slider, the footprint is 32 inches wide and 29.5 inches deep, it weighs 220 lbs.
The B&W Patriot 5th wheel hitches are a fantastic choice for not only safe but extremely quiet and smooth trailer towing.
The company is known for its excellent quality products and innovative hitches. If you are planning on going on a big adventure with your RV, B&W hitches are a great choice.
PROS
- Polyurethane Coated Bushings
- Easy Release Cam Action Handle
- Adjustable Vertically and Horizontally
- Compatible With All Standard Rails
- Spring Cushioned Head
- Fully Articulating Head
CONS
- No Auto Coupling Feature
2. Curt Q20 Rail Mount 5th-Wheel Hitch
Curt has a huge line of rail mount 5th-wheel hitches and the Q-series is one of their best.
Built for exceptional towing and to be quiet even when on rough roads the Curt Q-series fifth wheel hitches are some well-engineered products made with you in mind.
The rail mounted hitches come in three weight ratings Q20 (20,000 lbs), Q24 (24,000 lbs) shown in the picture above, and Q25 (25,000 lbs).
The head of the fifth-wheel hitch sits on a round spherical axial bearing.
This makes it so it can easily and quietly tilt in any direction which makes towing smoother for your truck and it also makes it easier to hitch and unhitch on uneven ground.
The head can also adjust vertically from 13-17 inches.
The handle is a lockable “short-throw” that automatically locks around the kingpin when you are hitching it up. It also has an indicator on the handle you can see from the driver’s seat.
It tells you when the hitch is uncoupled, coupled, and ready to tow. The jaws fully wrap around the kingpin and there are 3 grease fittings located around them for easy maintenance.
The legs fit into any standard 5th-wheel rails. The footprint is 32 5/8 inches wide and all three kinds weigh around 140 lbs.
There is also a Curt Q20 Slider 5th-Wheel Hitch for short bed trucks.
It has all the features of the Q-series fifth-wheel hitches but it’s on 12 inch sliders so you can create more space between your trailer and the cab of your truck when backing and maneuvering.
The slider hitch has a footprint measuring 27 1/8 inches wide, can adjust vertically from 17.5-21.5 inches, and weighs 395 lbs. It’s a Q20 so it can tow up to 20,000 lbs.
The Curt rail mount Q series 5th wheel hitches have all the basic features you want in a sturdy fifth wheel hitch with some great additions like the auto coupling feature and the coupling indicator.
You can easily hitch up your RV by yourself without having to get out of the truck multiple times to manually close the jaws. Overall a fantastic choice for heavy towing.
PROS
- Round Bearing For Quiet & Full Head Movement
- Auto Coupling Short Throw Handle
- Coupling Indicator
- Fits Into Any Standard Rails
- Easy Access Grease Points
CONS
- Thin Jaws
3. Reese Rail Mount 5th-Wheel Hitch
Reese is a big name in hitches and their basic line of rail mounted 5th-wheel hitches are easy to use and have a lot of great features.
There are two different hitches with weight ratings of 16K (16,000 lbs pictured above) and 20K (20,000 lbs).
Since the 16K version is the most used by 5th-wheel owners I’m going to review that one.
It has a dual pivoting head which means it can move a little from side to side and quite a bit front to back.
It makes it easier when hitching and unhitching on uneven ground and also stops the movement of the 5th wheel from going onto your truck. But it’s not as mobile as the 4 way pivoting heads on the premium 5th wheel hitches.
The jaw handle locks and there is a double jaw system that completely surrounds the kingpin for a secure fit. The jaws can hold up 4,000 lbs of pin weight.
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It can adjust vertically from 14.5-18 inches and weighs only 107 lbs. The Reese fifth-wheel hitch fits standard hitch rails but will not fit truck beds shorter than 6 feet.
The larger 20K version weighs a little more at around 120 lbs.
Reese also makes a 16K Slider (pictured below) and a 20K slider fifth-wheel hitch for short bed trucks.
The 20K Reese slider fifth-wheel hitch can tow up to 20,000 lbs. This version is part of their elite series and has self-latching jaws and a coupling indicator so you can hook up by yourself.
The Reese 16K slider has all the features of the one reviewed above but it can slide a full 10 inches in the truck bed.
Reese makes some great basic 5th wheel hitches for weekend campers.
I suggest fifth wheel hitches you can hitch up on your own if you tow your trailer weekly but for summer camping the Reese basic 5th wheel hitches are a solid option.
PROS
- Lightweight Yet Still Heavy Duty
- Head Moves Every Direction
- Compatible With Standard Rails
CONS
- Thin Jaw Plates
- No Auto Coupling Features
- Difficult To Use With One Person
- Noisy When Towing
4. Andersen Hitches 3200 5th Wheel Hitch
The Andersen Hitches 3200 fifth wheel hitch is one of the simplest and lightest hitches on the market today.
Instead of using a head on a pivot that swivels around Andersen uses a simple ball that connects to a kingpin coupler. The ball allows the kingpin to swivel and move freely without needing a huge complicated hitch.
The ball is mounted on a sturdy steel pyramid with a square base. It can mount to any ISR mounts (industry standard rails) and only weighs 40 lbs.
The ball and coupler require no grease to work making it clean and maintenance-free. It’s also adjustable vertically with 3 steps that can be 15-3/4″, 16-7/8″, and 18″ tall.
The kingpin coupler is a small part that will be installed onto the 5th wheels kingpin where it will stay.
The coupler is made of aluminum so it won’t rust on the steel hitch. The coupler has two holes, one for the kingpin and one for the ball hitch.
To hitch up all you need to do is position the ball hitch under the ball coupler and lower the fifth wheel onto it.
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This newer version of the Andersen fifth wheel hitch has a 3″ ball funnel on it which means you can hitch up even if the ball isn’t centered exactly under the coupler.
It makes unhitching and hitching on unlevel ground possible and easy.
Once the ball is in the coupler you use a remote latch/release that will be mounted under the fifth wheel overhang in an accessible place to lock it or release it.
The remote is Andersen’s way of making hitching even easier. You don’t need to get under the hitch to latch it or reach over the truck bed.
The Andersen fifth wheel hitch is rated to tow up to 20,000 lbs and hold a tongue weight of 4,500 lbs. It is suitable for all truck bed types including a short bed.
If you have a toolbox in the back of your pickup or just need the hitch to be extended back a few inches there is a fully aluminum version of the Andersen 5th wheel hitch (click to view on Amazon).
It has the ball mounted back a couple of inches towards the tailgate to give you more space between the cab and the RV.
This version weighs even less than the standard steel one at only 35 lbs. If you have a short bed truck this might also be a better option for you.
Andersen hitches is a great company that makes its products in America. The quality is unmatched by other companies and their 5th wheel hitch is one of a kind.
If you plan on removing the fifth wheel hitch from your truck bed a lot this is going to be the easiest rail mounted fifth wheel hitch to remove.
PROS
- Compatible With All Truck Bed Lengths
- Extremely Lightweight
- Easy To Install
- Compatible With All ISR Mounts
- No Grease Required
- Remote Latch For Easy Hitching
- Can Pivot In All Directions
CONS
- Cannot Latch Automatically
5. Blue Ox Fifth Wheel Hitch Super Ride 20K
If you’ve towed any trailer or RV you’ve probably seen a couple of Blue Ox products. They are another industry leader in RV towing and the Blue Ox 20k fifth wheel hitch Super Ride is very unique looking with some fantastic features.
The head is fully articulating (4-way pivot) and it sits on 4 rubber springs that help stabilize and cushion the 5th wheel as it’s being towed. This helps prevent bucking and any sway that may occur.
It makes for a smooth ride inside the cab. The only other spring cushioned 5th wheel hitch on this review is the B&W Patriot. It’s a great option for RVers who full time or travel long distances.
The jaws are self-latching which makes it easy to hitch up yourself. They wrap completely around the kingpin and are thicker than some of the other options in this review.
A sweet feature on this specific fifth wheel hitch is that it can be moved forward 11 inches for maneuvering.
Because of the design, it can do this without having to be on slides which makes it a fantastic lightweight option for short truck beds.
It can also be useful for standard and even long truck beds when doing tight and tricky backing maneuvers.
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Note the Blue Ox 20k fifth wheel hitch cannot tow in the forward or center leaning positions. It must be all the way back toward the cab for safe towing.
The max trailer weight the Blue Ox 20k is rated for is 20,000 lbs with a 5,000 lbs vertical tongue weight capacity.
The entire thing weighs 180 lbs but it can easily be taken apart into 3 easy to manage pieces. This makes it easy to take out of the truck bed when not in use.
The Blue Ox Fifth Wheel Hitch Super Ride 20K is a fantastic premium 5th wheel hitch that is perfect for every kind of camper.
It’s easy to remove from the truck bed and as an added bonus it’s compatible with all ISR mounts (Industry Standard Rail Mounts).
PROS
- Compatible With All Standard Rails
- Spring Cushioned Head
- Fully Articulating Head
- Can Lean Forward 11 Inches For Short Bed Trucks
- Auto Coupling
CONS
- Not Adjustable Vertically
6. Husky 5th Wheel Hitch
The Husky 5th wheel hitches are super durable and adjustable with lots of little tweaks that make them excellent to tow with.
There are two weight options, a 26,000 (shown in the picture above) and a 16,000 (click to view on Amazon).
Both work with most ISR mounts but Husky recommends using its own base mount kit for best results.
The Husky 5th wheel hitches are completely adjustable vertically and horizontally which makes it more compatible with your specific truck and 5th wheel combination.
The jaws are the premium wrap around style that is safer and better for towing. They are self locking and release which means you can hook up your 5th wheel alone.
There is even an orange pop up indicator that will disappear once the jaws have fully latched.
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The head can fully articulate in all directions. It helps make towing smoother and stops the jaws from binding when unhitching on unlevel ground.
If you have a short bed truck there is also a 16k & 26k Husky Gliding 5th Wheel Hitch (click to view on Amazon).
It can slide up to 10 inches to allow for more space between the cab and the front of the 5th wheel RV. It has all the features of the regular Husky 5th wheel hitches I reviewed.
The main difference besides the sliders is the weight. The 26k version is 285 lbs. That’s almost 100 lbs more than the standard 26k Husky 5th wheel hitch.
Husky makes some of the most heavy duty and durable 5th wheel hitches on the market today. They use high quality parts that are made to withstand all of the elements.
It’s a good option if you plan on leaving the hitch in the back of the truck all of the time.
PROS
- Adjustable Vertically and Horizontally
- Compatible With All Standard Rails
- Auto Coupling
- Hookup Indicator
- Fully Articulating Head
CONS
- Heavy
Conclusion & Recommendation For Rail Mount 5th Wheel Hitches
There are a ton of options if you are looking for a good fifth wheel hitch that is compatible with the rail mounts in your pickup truck.
If you don’t have the rail mounts yet I suggest choosing the hitch you want first then getting rails from the same company.
It isn’t required to do that but if you want the easiest install that’s going to be the best option.
If you’ve read through this part of the review you’ve probably seen that for short bed trucks a slider 5th wheel hitch is what’s recommended.
The biggest problem with short bed trucks is not enough space between the front of the 5th wheel RV and the back window on the cab of the truck.
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It’s easy to accidentally pop out the back window if this space is too small. That’s why a slider style is recommended. Before you start to reverse just release the hitch and let it roll back into position.
You then have a safe distance between the RV and truck. You can even use slider hitches on regular truck beds as well if your 5th wheel sticks out an unusual amount and you want to be able to get more space.
All of the 5th wheel hitches reviewed above are fantastic choices that range from your basic to premium options. They are all great at what they do but here are my recommendations based on specific features.
Best Design – Blue Ox Fifth Wheel Hitch Super Ride 20K
The Blue Ox 5th wheel hitch is one of my favorites in this review.
It has some amazing features for smooth safe towing and easy hookup. There is even an indicator that will tell you if the jaws have fully closed if you are working alone.
The design is where the Blue Ox really shines. Not only can it easily break apart into 3 manageable pieces but it can also move towards the tailgate to allow for more room between the trailer and the truck cab.
It’s like a slider and a regular 5th wheel hitch all in one.
It’s compatible with all truck bed lengths and gives you more freedom when choosing your next truck or RV.
Most Heavy Duty – Husky 5th Wheel Hitch
The Husky 5th wheel hitch is the heaviest on this list and for good reason.
The legs of both sizes are thick with a wide base and the head is an absolute unit.
All of the hardware is made to last with super durable yellow zinc fasteners and a silver powder coating that will withstand rain, snow, and the sun.
Best Overall – B&W Patriot 18K 5th-Wheel Hitch
It wasn’t easy picking the best overall rail mount 5th wheel hitch.
Each kind has a lot of great features and the best one for your towing needs might be met by a different brand.
The reason I choose B&W for the best overall 5th wheel hitch is that their quality control is the best in the business.
All B&W hitches are made in America and they have been innovating hitches since 1987. It’s a fantastic company and the B&W Patriot line of 5th wheel hitches are some of the best overall.
Part 2: Ball Mount 5th-Wheel Hitches Reviews & Info
If you already have a ball mount in the bed of your pickup a great option for towing a 5th wheel with a kingpin is to get a 5th wheel hitch that attaches to the ball hitch mount already installed in the bed of your truck.
It removes the need for any additional rails and it’s easy to install.
Best Overall
Last update on 2024-11-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch For Ball Mounts
The B&W Companion is the first in a long line of fantastic American made 5th wheel hitches by B&W.
The amazing thing about this hitch is it mounts onto their Turnoverball hitch system which you can buy for Ford, Dodge, and Chevy/GMC.
Using the ball mount system means you can have a ball mount when you need it, and when you remove the 5th-wheel hitch you have a completely flat empty truck bed.
The B&W Companion is compatible with any standard or long truck bed.
The fifth wheel hitch can adjust vertically from 16.25-18.25 inches.
The footpads that the hitch rests on are adjustable to make a perfect fit no matter how the bed is patterned.
The center mounting post can also be placed in different positions so you can choose to have the hitch a few inches forward or backward.
B&W didn’t leave anything to question, the Companion 5th-wheel hitch is rated to tow up to 20,000 lb GTW/ 5,000 lbs VTW. There aren’t many fifth-wheels this hitch won’t be able to tow.
The smooth towing this hitch offers is what really makes it special. The arms that hold the head are coated in polyurethane eliminating any noise that may occur from rattling or vibrations.
The 1 inch thick wrap-around jaws that hold a 5th wheel kingpin are cut for an exact fit that grasps around the kingpin entirely. Because it will wrap around perfectly there’s no wiggle room for jerky starts and stops.
The head can pivot in any direction making it easy to hitch a trailer on rough or unlevel ground.
The latch is cam action for an easy release no matter what, all you do is push it back and the pressure on the jaws is released. The jaws will close automatically when you hitch your trailer.
The auto locking jaws make it easy to hitch up your 5th wheel RV alone.
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Because of the cam action, sometimes when you release the jaws to unhitch the trailer they won’t actually open because there is some slight pressure on the kingpin.
This is normal and totally fine. As long as the cam lever is open you can pull forward and the jaws will open releasing your trailer.
Something a lot of people don’t like about 5th wheel RVs is they lose most of their truck bed to a giant hitch even when the trailer isn’t connected. Fifth-wheel hitches are often very heavy, bulky, and hard to remove. The Companion isn’t.
You can remove it easily by first taking off the head, then using a simple socket wrench to remove the base which is only secured by the center post. Being able to remove it in two parts makes it lighter and more manageable.
The base weighs 131 lbs and the head or coupler weighs 75 lbs. The footprint is 30.5 inches wide and 36 inches deep.
There is also a slider version for short bed trucks.
If you have a short bed truck a slider hitch is a fantastic option because you can tow with it in the main position.
When it comes time to back in your fifth-wheel, you slide it to the far position giving you more space between the trailer and the cab.
This makes it so you can do the really sharp turns that would otherwise be impossible with a short bed truck.
There is also a flatbed truck version of the Companion which is basically the head part on a small base.
It’s the perfect option if you have a flatbed truck and very lightweight.
The B&W Companion Ball Mount 5th Wheel Hitch is really an amazing product. It tows ultra-smooth, has high-quality parts and craftsmanship so it will last forever.
You can also remove it easily giving you your truck bed back. It’s well worth the money and one of the best 5th-wheel hitches for ball mounts on the market today.
For more info about the Companion hitch, check out this video.
PROS
- Adjustable To Fit Any Truck Bed
- Full Pivoting Head
- Tows Quiet & Smooth
- Cam-Action Lever
- Auto Locking Jaws
- Only Ball Mount Base Required
- Easy To Install
CONS
- Heavy
Part 3: Puck Mount 5th-Wheel Hitches Reviews & Info
Mounting pucks in truck beds are starting to become a standard feature for the tow package on trucks.
They’re basically holes built into the truck bed that can be uncovered to insert a 5th wheel hitch with legs that are made to fit exactly.
Pucks in a truck bed are awesome because they don’t stick up at all and are hardly noticeable.
The only downside is the puck placements are different on every brand of truck. This means you have to get a 5th wheel hitch made for your specific truck’s puck system.
Luckily, lots of the top 5th wheel hitch manufacturers like B&W and Curt are starting to make puck system compatible hitches.
Below are reviews of some of the best 5th wheel hitches for different truck brand puck mounts.
Best Ford Hitch
Best Dodge Hitch
Best GM Hitch
Last update on 2024-11-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. B&W Companion 5th-Wheel Hitch Ford Puck
About 10 years ago truck manufacturers started putting “puck systems” in the beds of their pickup trucks as a part of their towing prep packages.
Nowadays it’s hard to find a truck that doesn’t have a puck system. Your truck might even have one and you don’t even know it.
The nice thing about the puck system is it’s easy to take the 5th-wheel hitch on and off of it and the pucks sit flush into the truck bed when they’re not in use.
Naturally, B&W and even other hitch companies started making their hitches compatible with these systems.
B&W’s version of this classic hitch is basically the same as their standard Companion 5th-wheel hitch described in Part 2 of this article but with a base that fits pucks.
The hitch is secured to the pucks with easy to move handles that lock onto the base of the hitch when it’s secured to the truck so you don’t have to worry about them vibrating loose.
As standard for the Companion 5th-wheel hitch, it can adjust vertically from 16.75-18.75 inches and 2 inches front to back.
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The head sits on polyurethane bushings to stop it from rattling and the 1 inch thick wrap-around jaws are cut to be a perfect fit around any 5th-wheels kingpin so there’s no room for any movement.
This makes a quiet and secure connection when you are driving or backing. The jaws also close around the kingpin automatically so you can hitch the trailer by yourself more easily.
The entire thing weighs 153 lbs but the head is easy to remove for when you take the hitch out of the truck bed.
The footprint of the of the B&W Companion is 33.5 inches wide and 16.5 inches deep. The distance between the puck holes is 30 inches wide and 13 inches deep.
There is also a Ford puck slider 5th-wheel hitch for short bed trucks available with all the same features.
The only difference is the slider can move the head of the hitch back 12 inches making room for the trailer to move when backing into tight spots.
You use a lever to release the head for sliding into place. Only use it in the back position when maneuvering, never when towing.
The slider is heavier weighing 265 lbs and has a wider footprint measuring 36 inches wide and 32.375 inches deep.
The distance between the puck holes is the same as the standard Ford Companion puck system hitch.
PROS
- Easy To Remove
- No Rails Necessary
- Adjustable
- Rattle Free Towing
- Short Bed Version Available
2. B&W Companion 5th-Wheel Hitch Dodge Ram Puck
The Dodge version of B&W’s Companion Puck 5th-wheel hitch has all the same features of the Companion hitch.
The only difference is the footprint is 43 inches wide and 34.5 inches deep, and it weighs 229 lbs.
The vertical adjustments are from 17-19 inches and there are 6 inches of front to back adjustment as well. The distance between the legs for the puck holes is 39 inches wide and 30.25 inches deep.
The hitch uses rubber-coated handles to turn it to a secured position. There are pins that go through the handles once they are in the lock position to stop them from vibrating loose.
There is also a Dodge Ram Companion Puck Mount Slider 5th-Wheel Hitch for short bed trucks available.
Much like the other Companion sliders, it can move 12 inches to make maneuvering easier with a short bed truck. It can tow up to 20,000 lbs
The footprint is 43 inches wide and 37 inches deep, the entire fifth-wheel hitch weighs 305 lbs.
It can adjust vertically from 17-19 inches and it can be placed 2 inches front to back depending on the coupler position.
The distance between the puck holes are the same as the standard Dodge Ram Companion puck system hitch
With B&W’s Dodge Puck 5th-Wheel Hitch you get all the benefits of the B&W Companion fifth wheel hitch with no rails or difficult installations.
Many Ram trucks come with the pucks pre-installed and you may even already have some on your truck.
PROS
- Easy To Take Hitch On And Off
- No Rails Necessary
- Rattle Free Towing
- Short Bed Option Available
- Adjustable
3. B&W GM Companion Puck 5th-Wheel Hitch
The GM Companion will fit GMC and Chevy puck systems.
It is still a B&W Companion hitch so it has all the features of the one I described at the beginning of this article with just a few differences.
The B&W hitch is secured to the truck bed with handles that turn to secure the hitch into the pucks.
The handles are secured by pins to keep them from vibrating loose.
The footprint is 25.5 inches wide and 22 inches deep. The distance between the pucks is 27 inches wide and 22 inches deep.
This version is rated for 20,000 lbs.
If you have a short bed truck they also make a Slider 5th-Wheel Hitch for short bed GM puck systems.
It can tow up to 20,000 lbs has a footprint measuring 36 inches wide and 32.375 inches deep. The distance between the pucks is the same as the standard GM Companion puck system hitch.
This short bed 5th-wheel hitch has all the same features of the B&W Companion 5th-wheel hitches described above.
If you have a newer GMC Sierra or Chevy truck then this might be the perfect hitch for you.
Before you buy any other kind of 5th-Wheel hitch or install mounting rails make sure to check and see if there are already pucks installed in the bed of your truck.
PROS
- Adjustable
- Short Bed Version Available
- Easy To Take Hitch On & Off
- No Rails Necessary
- Rattle Free Towing
4. Curt Q20 Ford Puck System 5th-Wheel Hitch
Curt makes a ton of 5th-wheel hitches and have 3 different series for each kind.
Their A-series is known for its articulating head, the Q-series is built on a spherical axial for the quietest smoothest ride, and the E-series is their economical line of 5th-wheel hitches.
The Q-series is one of their best and has most of the fantastic features of the A-series and then a few of its own, making it one of Curt’s best series of 5th-wheel hitches.
Because of the Q-series quality and smooth ride I’m going to focus mostly on that line of hitches for my review of Curt’s puck system fifth-wheel hitches.
There are three weight ratings for Curt’s Ford puck systems the Ford Q20 (20,000 lbs), Ford Q24 (24,000 lbs), and the Ford Q25 (25,000 lbs).
All the features are the same, the only difference is the weight rating.
For this review, I will be talking about the Q20 since 20,000 lbs tow rating is the standard weight of most 5th-wheel camping trailers.
Some of the Q20’s features include a round spherical axial bearing designed to tilt in any direction.
This makes the head of the hitch move smoothly and quietly for great towing and easy hitching and unhitching.
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The handle is a single short throw. It attaches itself automatically to the kingpin and there’s an indicator built-in so you can see if it’s uncoupled, coupled, or ready to tow.
The handle also locks for added security when towing.
The Curt 5th-wheel hitch connects to your Fords pucks with easy to use handles that only need to turn one quarter to lock or unlock.
Once secured the handles sit out of the way under the sides of the hitch and lock in place.
The head has three vertical height adjustments from 13-17 inches to fit different styles of Ford truck beds and there are 3 grease points that are easily accessible to keep your Curt 5th-wheel hitch working properly.
The entire Q20 hitch is 33 3/8 inches wide and weighs 164 lbs.
These hitches are made for long Ford truck beds, if you don’t have a long bed you will need the Curt Q20 Slider 5th-wheel hitch for short bed Ford trucks.
It has all the features of the Q20 Series but it also slides 12 inches. The forward position is for towing 5th-wheels with a short bed truck and the back position is for maneuvering and backing.
It also sits a little higher than the standard hitches and is adjustable vertically from 17.5-21.5 inches. The base is also a little wider at 33.5 inches. It weighs 278 lbs.
PROS
- Spherical Axial
- 360 Head Tilt
- 3 Vertical Height Settings
- 3 Tow Rating Options
- Tows Quiet and Smooth
5. Curt Q20 Dodge Ram Puck System 5th-Wheel Hitch
Curt also makes a Dodge version of the Q20 Puck System 5th-wheel hitches. It has all the features of the Q20’s described above but has a wider base measuring 42.5 inches and weighs 202 lbs.
The Dodge Ram Q20 can tow up to 20,000 lbs but there are the Ram Q24 (24,000 lbs) and Ram Q25 (25,000 lbs) available.
The vertical height adjustments are also slightly different, there are still three they are just from 14-18 inches.
But you still get the ultra-smooth and quiet tow power of the Q-series with this Dodge Ram Puck System 5th-wheel hitch.
The Curt Q20 Slider 5th-wheel hitch for short bed Dodge Ram trucks can tow up to 20,000 lbs and weighs 325 lbs.
The base is 43 inches wide and the vertical height adjustments range from 19-23 inches.
Much like the other Curt Q20 slider 5th-wheel hitches for short bed trucks.
The Dodge Q20 Slider can slide 12 inches, and breaks apart into 3 pieces for taking it on and off the truck, which is nice since it weighs so much.
PROS
- Spherical Axial
- 360 Head Tilt
- 3 Vertical Height Settings
- 3 Tow Rating Options
- Tows Quiet and Smooth
6. Curt Q20 GM Puck System 5th-Wheel Hitch
If you were wondering if Curt made a puck system 5th-wheel hitch for Chevy’s and GMC’s then the answer is yes, they do.
The GM Q20 puck system hitches have all the features of the Q-series with just a different base to fit GM pucks.
The entire fifth-wheel hitch is 29 5/8 inches wide and weighs 183 lbs. The vertical height is adjustable from 13-17 inches.
On par with the other Q-series hitches the Q20 can tow up to 20,000 lbs with the GM Q24 (24,000 lbs) and the GM Q25 (25,000 lb) available.
The Curt Q20 GM Slider 5th-wheel hitch for short bed trucks is also available with a 20,000 lbs tow rating.
The base is 30.75 inches, weighs 326 lbs, and has vertical adjustments from 19-23 inches.
Much like the Curt 5th-wheel hitches for Ford and Dodge short bed trucks the GM slider slides 12 inches and can easily come apart into 3 pieces for easier installation.
PROS
- Spherical Axial
- 360 Head Tilt
- 3 Vertical Height Settings
- 3 Weight Ratings Available
- Tows Quiet and Smooth
What To Look For In A 5th Wheel Hitch
Trailer Weight
How much your trailer is going to weigh when it is completely packed with full tanks is the most important thing to consider when buying a fifth-wheel hitch.
You want to make sure its pound rating is enough over the weight of the trailer to safely tow it.
Truck Bed Length
The length of your truck bed is going to determine if you need to buy a slider 5th-wheel hitch or not.
Any truck bed length above 6′ 4″ will use a standard fifth-wheel hitch but anything less than 6 feet is a short bed and will most likely need a slider hitch.
You can technically use a standard hitch in a short bed but it’s going to be much more difficult to back it.
Mounting System
There are three main types of 5th-wheel hitch mounting system and the one that is right for you largely depends on what kind of truck you have.
A lot of newer truck models have mounting pucks already installed in the truck bed.
This means you just need to buy the compatible puck mount 5th-wheel hitch for your make, model, and year of truck and you are good to go.
If you have a turn-over-ball mount in the bed of your truck because you also have a gooseneck trailer or it just came with a ball mount you can get a specialized 5th wheel hitch that secures right to the mounting plate for the ball hitch.
There are also the rail mount fifth wheel hitches which are very common and are secured to rails you can get installed in the bed of your truck.
Most of these hitches fit into the same standard rails so it’s more than likely that the rails in your truck bed will be compatible with all of the rail mount hitches on this list.
The only downside to rail mounts is the rails are going to be in the bed of your truck all of the time and can get in the way when hauling things. The 5th-wheel hitch is also more difficult to remove.
Unlevel Ground
Some of the more basic fifth wheel hitches have a coupler head that only moves forward or backward.
This limited movement can make it difficult to hitch and unhitch a fifth wheel on uneven ground and you will also feel the side to side sway of the trailer more when you are driving down the road.
If you use your trailer a lot and boondock in free camping areas or BLM dispersed camping areas you may want to get a fifth wheel hitch with a head that can pivot in all 4 directions.
This may save you some heartache when hitching and unhitching your RV.
Hitch Weight
5th-wheel hitches are heavy. There’s just no way around it. Even the lightest hitches are almost 100 lbs and they are often bulky and hard to move around in a truck bed.
To combat this problem companies are making fifth wheel hitches that are easy to take apart into multiple pieces so you can install it in your truck bed more easily.
That being said the slider 5th-wheel hitches for short bed trucks are very heavy, so be prepared when it comes time to install your new hitch.
Frequently Asked Questions About 5th Wheel Hitches
What weight rating does my 5th-wheel hitch need to tow my trailer?
The tow rating of your 5th-wheel hitch needs to be over the GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) of your fifth wheel.
You can find the maximum GTW of a trailer on the informational sticker located on the trailer. The weight will be labeled GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), this is the maximum weight the trailer is rated to be.
As you can see in this example from my trailer the GVWR is 9,000 lbs. That means the trailer cannot exceed 9,000 lbs.
Sometimes people load up their trailers and fill their freshwater tanks and go a little over. So it’s a good idea to buy a hitch that is still at least a few thousand pounds over the GVWR just in case it gets a little on the heavy side.
Also, make sure you check the hitch weight and compare it to the hitch weight rating on the 5th wheel hitch. If you don’t know the hitch weight a good way to guess is to take 20% of the GVWR.
Why do short bed trucks need a slider fifth-wheel hitch?
A slider 5th-wheel hitch allows you to tow the trailer in front of the back axle of your truck. When it comes time to back it into a tight spot (which is most of the time) you can release the lever and let the hitch slide back.
It creates room between your truck’s cab and the front of the 5th-wheel.
If you use a 5th-wheel hitch for short bed trucks, you don’t have to worry about popping out the back window anymore.
Can a 5th wheel hitch be removed?
Yes, a 5th-wheel hitch can be removed. The next question is: how hard will it be to remove?
5th wheel hitches that use the puck mount or ball mount system are known for being easy to remove so you can use your truck bed any time you need it.
The common rail mounted 5th-wheel hitches are much harder to take off and the rails cannot be removed.
How does a 5th-wheel hitch work?
Fifth-wheel hitches (click to view more info on Wikipedia) are mounted to a truck bed and use jaws to clamp around the “kingpin” on a fifth-wheel trailer.
The jaws are closed or opened by some sort of lever that you either pull out or push back.
What fifth wheel hitch do I need?
The kind of 5th-wheel hitch you need depends on the weight of your trailer, the kind of truck you have, and your own personal preference.
If you read through this ultimate guide to the best 5th-wheel hitches you will come to an understanding of what is out there and what 5th-wheel hitch you need.
What 5th-wheel hitch do I get for a short bed truck?
Short bed trucks need a special kind of 5th-wheel hitch so you can tow the 5th-wheel safely and also back it safely.
I’ve seen some rear windows get popped out of trucks because the distance between the cab and the trailer was too short and the turn was taken too sharp.
To combat this, owners of short bed trucks can buy slider 5th-wheel hitches. You can read more about slider hitches and which ones are the best in this article.
Are fifth wheel hitch rails universal?
Most 5th-wheel hitch rails are universal and you should have no problem finding compatible hitches to fit into the rails in your truck bed.
Are 5th-wheel hitches interchangeable?
Most 5th-wheels use a kingpin that the hitches latch around. Because of this most 5th-wheel hitches are interchangeable.
The only differences will be height adjustments for different truck heights and things like that. But luckily most 5th-wheel hitches can be adjusted vertically and even forward and backward.
Are all 5th-wheel hitches the same?
In a way, yes they are. Almost all 5th-wheel hitches latch around a universal kingpin so in that way they are the same.
But there is a huge variety of mounting systems, jaws, lever mechanisms, bearings, head tilts, sliders, and adjustment options for every brand or series of 5th wheel hitch.
Using this guide will help you understand the different options and help you choose the best 5th-wheel hitch for you.
What does ISR mount for fifth wheel hitches mean?
ISR stands for Industry Standard Rail. A lot of times when looking at a rail mount 5th wheel hitch it will say ISR mount compatible.
It means it’s going to fit in pretty much any universal size of rail mount for the bed of a truck. Most of the time rails and 5th wheel hitches are ISR mount compatible.
Have any questions about 5th wheel hitches and choosing the right one for you? Leave a comment below.
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