Finding The Best Fifth Wheel Hitch: Things You Need To Know Before Buying
A semi-trailer is usually associated with large commercial trucks that we see on the roads. That is usually because semi trailers are trailers without a front axle. Theses commercial trucks or tractor units are strong enough to support the weight of a semi-trailer and its contents. A fifth wheel hitch is a towing solution intended for pick up trucks. It will allow a good pick up truck to tow a medium to a small size semi trailer. A fifth wheel hitch acts as the link from the semi-trailer to the pickup truck and allows the semi-trailer to successfully use the pickup truck as its front axle.
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** Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews by click in " Reviews " column, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon .com.
What is a Fifth Wheel Hitch?
Via: autoguide.com
A fifth wheel hitch can be seen as a device that aids in supporting the weight of a semi-trailer when being towed by a pickup truck. When properly installed in the bed of a pickup truck, the weight of the trailer will press down between the cab of the truck and the rear axle. This area of the truck is a safe area and will be able to support the weight without any problems.
If you do tow a large semi trailer with just a small ball hitch, the weight of the trailer will drag the truck down, and the front wheels will lift off the floor. This will be a great cause of concern and a major safety issue. But with the use of a fifth wheel hitch, the weight can be placed safely towards the center of the vehicle ensuring that the vehicle will remain stable.
The area located in the bed of a pickup just in front of the rear axle is regarded as one of the strong points of a pickup truck and will easily be able to withstand the pressure of a semi trailer. Most pickup trucks come with large diesel engines and are more than capable of pulling a small sized semi trailer. A common type of trailer is a motor home trailer. A fifth wheel hitch will make it possible to tow a motor home trailer.
Advantages of Choosing a Best Fifth Wheel Hitch
Via: airsafehitch.com
As discussed earlier, a fifth wheel hitch will be able to support a motor home trailer which you can enjoy at your favorite camp site. So no need to invest in a large recreation vehicle if you already have a capable pickup truck. The trailer must also meet the weight restrictions on the fifth wheel hitch in order to avoid possible damages to the vehicle and hitch. Some fifth wheel hitches have a detachable feature and can be removed if not in use. This will give the owner the option to be able to use the free space available in the bed of the truck for other purposes.
Some Types of the Fifth Wheel Hitches
- 2-way Pivot Head - Most standard fifth wheel hitches pivot 2-ways. This allows the truck to drive up an incline before the trailer can reach a change in grading. This eliminates the further stress of the king pin and hitch.
- 4-way Pivot Head - Pivots from side to side and allows the user to drive in uneven terrain. It is very useful for those who plan on towing a motor home and are looking for a smooth ride for the passengers within the home.
- Gooseneck hitch - Some hitches are designed to pull both fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers. They can be installed to the frame of the truck using the existing gooseneck setup and can be removed at a later stage. This can also be a convenient option because once removed there won't is anything left in the truck bed. So the bed will be freed up to use for other applications.
- Fifth wheel hitch with universal rails - Most pick up trucks don't come with factory drilled holes which allow you to simply install your hitch. And if they do, they are not usually drilled according to universal rail spec. One would have to drill holes into the frame of the truck in order to install the hitch. This may be time-consuming but can be helpful in the long run. You won't need to buy a complete replacement unit if there is a problem with your hitch. You can just get one that fits the universal rail specification.
- Fifth wheel hitch with custom rails - There are fifth wheel hitches available with custom rails for those vehicles that already have pre-existing factory drilled holes in the bed of their pickup. This allows for a more convenient and easier installation.
Top 5 Best Fifth Wheel Hitch
1. Pro-Series 30056 Fifth Wheel Hitch 15K
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
The 15K Fifth Wheel Hitch is an entry level budget hitch manufactured by Pro Series. It has features similar to its rivals but at a fraction of the price. It has a 4 way pivoting head with side tilt of 5 degrees for easy hookup. It can be installed and removed easily, allowing for full bed access. Another great feature is the rounded slide bar locking mechanism and a towing capacity of 15000 lbs.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Affordable
- 3 Year warranty
Cons
- Average Quality
2. REESE Titan 30867 Fifth Wheel
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
The Titan 20K is another budget fifth wheel hitch from Reese. It has all the same features as the Titan 16K and also a quadruple vibration isolator system for an improved ride. It's stronger than the Pro Series 15k because of its ability to handle a load of 20000 lbs. The new improved cast head adds some commercial durability and strength and improved head funneling. It does have a very tight and sturdy system that fully secures your trailer, but this system can at times prove difficult to lock.
Pros
- Sidewinder Compatible for short bed trucks
- Double Jaw Mechanism eliminates checking in jaw system
Cons
- Can be difficult at times to lock
- Very Heavy
3. B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch RVK3500
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
The RVK350 from B&W Companion is a fully removable and versatile hitch. It can be removed from your truck when not towing to free up the bed for other uses. This is due to it not needing mounting rails. However, the process of removing and installing is in no way easy. You will probably require assistance from someone when lifting it up into the vehicle. The RVK350 will tow 5th wheel trailers as well as gooseneck trailers. Its cam action latching handle provides an easy release during situations when parked on unlevel sites.
Pros
- Fully Articulating head allows multiple angles pivoting
- Wide Stance allows stability
- No mounting rails needed
Cons
- Very heavy, will need a few people to lift and install
- Initial assembly can be difficult
4. PullRite 4400 18K SuperGlide 5th Wheel Hitch
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
Perhaps the best feature on the Pullrite 4400 18K 5th wheel hitch is its ability to move the trailer away from the vehicle during tight turns. It can do this for turns as tight as 90 degrees. This will truly give the driver peace of mind and will make it so much easier to maneuver along narrow driveways. It will be so much easier to park at busy campsites. It also comes with a fully articulating dual pivot head and a unique rotary latch which will ensure that your trailer will lock automatically.
Pros
- Superb quality
- Moves trailer away during tight turns
Cons
- Very expensive
5. PullRite 2700 Wheel Hitch
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
The Pullrite 2700 is another quality product from the makers of the Pullrite 4400. Just like the 4400, the Pullrite 2700 can slide the trailer away from your vehicle in the hopes of protecting it from damage caused by making tight turns. This model is mostly for users who wish to upgrade their old 5th wheel hitch with this quality model from Pullrite. It will be able to fit onto the current trails that you have installed on your vehicle. The only problem is that you will have to buy a separate set of rails if you don't already own a set.
Pros
- Superb quality
- Moves trailer away during tight turns
- Can fit on existing rails
Cons
- Need to order separate rails if you are a new client
Verdict
The pull rate 4400 seems to be the best choice in terms of features and quality. But the price does seem a bit too extreme and out of reach for a lot of campers. In that case, a good fifth wheel hitch to go for would be the B&W Companion. It has the option to pull both fifth wheel specific trailers and other gooseneck trailers. If you don't mind its heavy weight and you have someone to help you lift it, then It can also be fully removed from the bed of your vehicle for your convenience.
