Got a new 3500HD, now need a fifth wheel hitch

[cookinwitdiesel]

Hi all,

Just drove home a new 3500HD Denali DRW today (8 foot bed) with the OEM puck system/prep package. Planning to get a fifth wheel in the next couple weeks. Before I can do that, I need a hitch.

In my basic introductory research I find myself liking the Curt Q25. Part of why I ended up there is they are not a radically different/unconventional design like the Anderson or Goosebox. This makes me feel more comfortable with it. I know Curt has an ages old reputation for making reliable equipment as well.

I was hoping to poll the community here to hear your opinions on the different hitch options and what has worked well for you.

I am looking at a trailer with a GVWR of only 14000# initially but figured I may as well get a hitch with plenty of room to grow since this barely impacts the price (would it impact the ride?). Shouldn't need a slider since I have the 8 foot bed.

This would be my first fifth wheel so please let me know anything and everything I should know going into it.

Thanks!

[cayovelez]

I also have a 2019 Silverado 3500 ltz short bed. I have an Andersen Aluminium superhitch and love it. I have talked to several people that have gone to Andersen and everyone love them. I my large RV facility I am now there are 3 other people with them and 2 of them switched from curt slider and have no regrets. The other fellow had and auto slider and switch to Andersen and he won't go back. My 2 cents, I love my Andersen on my 3500. I can't even tell I am pulling my 5th. wheel.

[Big1]

Congrats to both, pics?

[notanlines]

Sam, congrat's on the truck! Yep, a picture would be nice...And you are correct in assuming you should go to say an 18K or a 20K 'just in case.' And no, simply going to a larger rating will not affect the ride.
And, yes, you ARE going to know it's back there. (I know I'm not telling you anything new there!)

[depush]

I use a Curt Q25. Was looking for a Q20 for my 15500 GVWR trailer but found the Q25 locally on sale. Am very pleased with it. The head will tilt to match even when the TV is not level with the trailer. I can't compare to other hitches, but the Curt works for me.

[Javi]

I have the Reese OEM for my Ford puck system and have had no complaints about it at all other than getting the puck system dialed in after towing with it for a couple of thousand miles.. Which took a couple of hours..

If I had to replace it I'd probably go with another exactly like it or the B&W to fit the pucks...

[Logan X]

Congratulations on your new truck!

[JRTJH]

I started out my fifth wheel towing with a Curt E-16 (slidebar hitch). I didn't like the chucking and bumping that hitch allowed. So, I bought a Curt A16. It's now 10 years old and still working flawlessly.

If you're looking at Curt hitches, the A25 is an "upgraded version" of the Q25. It's made with improved materials, has a single pin (huge) to pull to remove the hitch head, a marked improvement over the two pin Q25 hitch head system. I'd suggest that you check out the A25, essentially the same price and IMHO, a better hitch.

Both will, if properly maintained, give you a lifetime of good service and reliability. Not to "knock" the competition, but I've always had excellent service from Curt products, so I've seen no reason to "move on to another manufacturer".....

Here's Etrailer's take on the two models: https://www.etrailer.com/question-269062.html

[Brentw]

Have not used any others. Had Q25 on a slider and rails and a Q 25 on pucks for my 5th wheel prep truck. No issues, other than slider on rails had some clunking.

[travelin texans]

My last, and final, hitch was the B&W Companion which performed great, easy to hitch/unhitch at most any angle & relatively lightweight.
Had a Reese in the previous dually & personally would never buy another, hitching/unhitching was a PITA unless it was fairly straight alignment + nearly level.
Can't speak about the Andersons other than I gave them a real hard look before I bought the B&W, but just couldn't get passed how flimsy they look to haul a 16.5k 5th wheel regardless of all the reviews, guess that's why there's so many brands on the market.

[cookinwitdiesel]

Thanks for the notes on the Curt A vs Q. I was looking at the Q because the claims of being quiet seemed appealing. If the A is juts as quiet and better in other ways I will check that out too.

[sponge60]

I've had the Pull Rite Super Glide and the Andersen Ultimate. Without reservation, I recommend the Andersen. Easy to install the goose neck ball adapter. No "chucking" when pulling. It is noise free too. And you can remove the Andersen from the truck by yourself in about 3 minutes.

The super glide was a very nice hitch, but was too heavy to remove without help.

[Snoking]

B&W is the gold standard of conventional 5th wheel hitches and made in North America. All Curt 5th wheel hitches are made in china. If you want a conventional 5th wheel hitch, I highly recommend the the B&W. RVK3700 (20K) or RVK3705 (25K). B&W hitches are easy to hitch and unhitch, and verify that the jaws are locked correctly on the King Pin. Chris

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by cayovelez

I also have a 2019 Silverado 3500 ltz short bed. I have an Andersen Aluminium superhitch and love it. I have talked to several people that have gone to Andersen and everyone love them. I my large RV facility I am now there are 3 other people with them and 2 of them switched from curt slider and have no regrets. The other fellow had and auto slider and switch to Andersen and he won't go back. My 2 cents, I love my Andersen on my 3500. I can't even tell I am pulling my 5th. wheel.

I don't like the Andersen for the same reason I don't like the B&W companion! They both rely on the bed floor to support the 5er's weight. Both are drawn down to the bed with a bolt, and have fore aft pads to support the weight of the 5er, on the ever thinner bed floors.
B&W now makes hitches for Puck systems, Andersen doesn't, I want my 5er solidly attached to the TV frame at four points.

[gearhead]

If I had it to do all over again I would go with the Goosebox. It ain't cheap, and you will likely have to buy another one when you upgrade to another 5th. You will have more bed space and no hitch to remove to use your truck bed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw7tJ4ZcvGM

[cookinwitdiesel]

I like the simplicity of the Goosebox but am weary of the warranty implications.

[DucBill]

Cookinwithdiesel congratulations on your truck FWIW I ordered my '15 Sierra SLT 3500 DCDA DRW in 3/14 and have been happy since, just wish GM would have put Denso FI in mine instead of the Bosch CP4 but I extended my GM warranty when and if it takes out my fuel system 5 yrs 58k miles of trouble free service so far.
I have had several 5vers with various 5th and gooseneck setups including Andersen Ulltimate, Reese Elite 20k# and 5th Airborn with sidewinder, I'm currently running 2yrs+ Reese Goose Box on my '14 375 Fuzion and I wouldn't go back to a non air ride set up. Your truck probably has the puck system which will make your install alot easier I set up mine with rails as GM hadnt gotten around to offering their puck sytem when I ordered mine. My bed is empty, most of time when towing but goose box opens alot of space and no boat anchor to remove when not towing, hooking up safety chains and latching ball is and reach under over hang of 5th is a pain but thats it. I check air pressure before hitching and it bleeds off excess once on the ball with weight of trlr. No chucking and noise but you'll still feel the rail road tracks and bridge transitions and pot holes but wont be bone jarring dish breaking you'd normally get. Last time I checked Keysone/Lippert warranty was not effected by Goose box as the only approved Gooseneck coupler BIMBW. Good luck your new rig and happy camping.

[boxcar]

Originally Posted by Snoking

B&W is the gold standard of conventional 5th wheel hitches and made in North America. All Curt 5th wheel hitches are made in china. If you want a conventional 5th wheel hitch, I highly recommend the the B&W. RVK3700 (20K) or RVK3705 (25K). B&W hitches are easy to hitch and unhitch, and verify that the jaws are locked correctly on the King Pin. Chris

I love my B&W. Nothing left in the bed when removed except the hole so my rubber mat goes back in for cargo use.

I bought the Companion Turnover so that I can tow a gooseneck hitch should the need arise. The gooseneck hitch ball just slides into the frame and locks in the same manner as the 5er hitch base.

[Don_T]

Originally Posted by cookinwitdiesel

I like the simplicity of the Goosebox but am weary of the warranty implications.

The Goosebox doesn’t cause any warranty issues. You can ask the manufacturer to verify it.

[DucBill]

Cookinwithdiesel I forgot to mention I had to do some research to get my Goosebox spec'd to fit my Fuzion made several calls to Reese with pin box # of original Lippert but was able to get the right shim plate ordered with hitch as etrailer and several other venders said wouldn't fit but Reese tech support came thru. There's a couple of videos on BigtruckbigRvs YT channel He shows install and towing impressions FWIW he also tried BW and Anderson before going to Goose box. Also on Reese website there's a road testing video shot on the Bosch test track in Germany on various terrain you might find interesting.