Best Fifth Wheel Hitch

A fifth wheel trailer is a costly investment, and towing such a load with the wrong hitch can damage your truck and your trailer. For this reason, finding the best fifth wheel hitch can be as important as picking your trailer in the first place.

If you’re looking to install a fifth wheel hitch into your truck, you’ll need to find a compatible model that is durable and reliable. This article will explain the basics of a fifth wheel hitch and recommend several of our favorite options.

A fifth wheel is a type of travel trailer that is similar to an RV, except without a motor. Instead of moving on their own power, fifth wheel trailers are designed to be pulled by a truck. Given their large size, towing a fifth wheel camper requires a 1.0-ton truck equipped with a fifth wheel hitch.

A fifth wheel hitch is a large, U-shaped block that’s installed into the truck bed. A kingpin connects a trailer to the hitch. Compared to a traditional ball hitch, a fifth wheel hitch is more stable and silent.

Fifth wheel hitches do, however, have some drawbacks. They take up a lot of space in the trunk and can be heavy. They can also be expensive.

1. Editor’s Choice: B&W Trailer Hitches Companion
2. Budget Pick: CURT E16
3. Best Sliding Hitch: B&W Trailer Hitches Patriot Slider
4. Best Gooseneck Adapter: Andersen Hitches Fifth Wheel Connection
5. Best Puck Mount Hitch: CURT Q25

When looking for the best fifth wheel hitch, there are a few key factors that will determine which one is right for your particular vehicle. The length of your truck bed, the weight of your trailer, and your truck’s towing and cargo capacities will all help determine what type of fifth wheel hitch you need.

Capacity

Before you think about installing a fifth wheel hitch, be sure that your truck is able to tow your trailer. Towing capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle can pull. In some cases, your truck may have a different capacity depending on whether you plan to use a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch (a gooseneck hitch can increase towing capacity).

Any trailer hitch will have a maximum load capacity indicating the most weight it is rated to pull. If you’re planning to buy a fifth wheel hitch to tow a travel trailer, make sure you get one that’s rated to tow its full weight.

You may also need to concern yourself with your truck’s cargo capacity. Cargo capacity is an indication of how much weight can be loaded into the cab and trunk. Fifth wheel hitches are installed in the trunk and are often very heavy.

Mounting System

There are several ways to mount a fifth wheel hitch into your trunk. The most common two methods are puck mounting and rail mounting. In either case, installing a fifth wheel hitch can be a hassle. Check out this guide for installing different kinds of trailer hitches.

Many trucks come off the assembly line with a puck mounting system. This consists of a set of pre-drilled holes in the truck bed, ready to accommodate a fifth wheel hitch. The size and spacing of these holes differ between brands and so you must purchase a compatible fifth wheel hitch.

If your truck doesn’t come with a puck mounting system, or you prefer not to use it, another way to install a fifth wheel hitch is by using a rail mounting system. Metal railing is attached to the truck bed, and the fifth wheel hitch is connected to these rails. There are permanent and removable rail mounting options.

Sliding Hitches

The length of your truck bed will also determine the best fifth wheel hitch for your vehicle. If your car’s truck bed is short, your trailer might scrape or damage your cab on tight turns. If this is a concern, you may want to consider a sliding hitch. Sliding hitches can slide forward and backward as needed to increase clearance.

Is A Gooseneck Hitch Better Than A Fifth Wheel Hitch?

A gooseneck hitch is lighter and generally easier to use than a fifth wheel hitch, although with limited mobility. Fifth wheel hitches are more popular for trailer towing because they are quieter and offer a smoother ride.

The B&W Companion fifth wheel hitch is both durable and versatile. It can be installed and removed with ease. This makes it a good choice for those who don’t want a fifth wheel hitch permanently taking up space in their pickup truck bed or who often convert between fifth wheel and gooseneck hitches.

This durable winch is manufactured in the U.S. and covered in UV-resistant powder coat paint. It features a cam-action latching handle and a fully articulated swivel head. B&W guarantees the longevity of the Companion with a lifetime warranty.

The Curt E15 is a low-cost fifth wheel hitch for those with long bed trucks. The hitch height can be adjusted between 13.0 and 17.0 in. and the E15 mounts on base rails, making it easy to install into any truck bed. Of the products featured in this buyers guide, it has the lowest price point while maintaining quality.

Other features include a dual-axis pivoting head that allows 10 total degrees of lateral movement (side-to-side) and an anti-rattle skid plate to reduce noise.

The B&W Patriot Slider has a lot of the same features as other B&W hitches: It is built durably in the United States and is SAE J-2638 certified for safety.

The Patriot Slider is a good option for those with short truck beds. The sliding rails offer an additional 12.0 inches of front-to-back slide. A fully-articulated head provides a smooth and quiet tow. And though this hitch is heavy and you may need help lifting it into your trunk, it is fairly easy to install once there.

The Andersen Hitches Ultimate Fifth Wheel Connection features a gooseneck ball, rather than the locking jaws typical of a fifth wheel hitch. This means that it can attach to gooseneck trailers while offering some of the same advantages as a standard fifth wheel hitch. This mount is placed in the bed of your truck, moving weight off your bumper and rear axle.

The hitch is available in several variations, including a flatbed mount, rail mount, and raised mount. Each has around 3.0 feet of adjustable height. This hitch is regarded for its lightweight design, which won’t add too much mass to your tow vehicle.

The CURT Q25 hitch is compatible with Chevy, Ford, GMC, Nissan, and Ram puck systems, one of the simplest ways to install a fifth wheel hitch. Keep in mind that each of these manufacturers has a different puck system and so you will need to get the right Q25 variant for your vehicle.

Once installed, this fifth wheel hitch is easy to operate thanks to a lockable throw handle. The self-angling head and spherical axial bearing result in a quiet operation. Choose this fifth wheel hitch if you’re looking for a reliable hitch and have a truck with holes for puck mounting.

Even the best fifth wheel hitches have their limit. A Class V hitch, the industry standard for heavy-duty towing, can tow up to 20,000.0 lbs. Most fifth wheel hitches work within that range, some even topping around 30,000.0 lbs., as long as you have the right hitch and vehicle. 

Maintaining A Fifth Wheel Hitch

Fifth wheel hitches move tremendous amounts of weight, so it is no secrete these devices are under serious amounts of strain. Here are a few general maintenance tips to get the maximum performance out of your fifth wheel hitch:

• Make sure the hitch and plate are greased and properly lubricated
• Make any height adjustments as necessary
• Make sure all bearings are greased
• Replace and tighten bolts as necessary
• If a hitch is cracked, damaged, or rusted through, replace it 

How Do I Choose A Fifth Wheel Hitch?

When picking between the best fifth wheel hitches and goosenecks, consider the following:

• What is the towing capacity of your vehicle?
• What type of hitch does your vehicle support? 
• Can you perform a DIY install on the hook up? 
• Do you want permanent or removable wheel rails? 
• What are the tongue weight and trailer weight of the items you need to haul?

What Is The Average Cost Of A Fifth Wheel Hitch?

The average cost of a fifth wheel hitch is roughly $1,000, although prices can vary depending on hitch head design and mount orientation.

What Are The Disadvantages Of The Fifth Wheel Hitch? 

The downside of a fifth wheel hitch is they typically have a lower towing capacity compared to gooseneck hitches. They also take up substantially more space within the truck bed, which can limit the practicality of the vehicle once installed.

The best way to approach buying a fifth wheel hitch is to consider two factors: your anticipated workload and the specifications of your truck. If you know that you regularly need to tow over 20,000.0 pounds, buy something that exceeds that. If you have multiple towing rigs, it might be worth investing in a sliding hitch.  

Brands like Andersen, B&W, and CURT make a number of high-quality fifth wheel hitches, so truck beds with different lengths should also be accommodated.

*Data accurate at time of publication.