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

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

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.

On the B&W Companion the weight is on the turnover ball piece in the center of the hitch, the triangular shape is for stability, pyramid power. Don't have or ever had the Anderson so can't speak about how it works.
Up until the past few years when the puck systems appeared, ALL of the rail type hitches sat on the truck bed floor & bolted underneath to the frame.

[cookinwitdiesel]

I like the Goosebox a lot. Since it is part of the trailer though, for now I got a Curt A25 with OEM puck legs arriving tomorrow. That will be a good enough "general purpose" hitch for which ever trailer we get (although I think we firmed that up today). Down the road an upgrade to the Goosebox (v2) seems like. I watched 3 videos from bigtruckbigtrailer - they were very helpful. I figured it may help me to tow some with a normal hitch so I will appreciate the upgrade more

[DucBill]

You will cookinwitdiesel when you do.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

On the B&W Companion the weight is on the turnover ball piece in the center of the hitch, the triangular shape is for stability, pyramid power. Don't have or ever had the Anderson so can't speak about how it works.
Up until the past few years when the puck systems appeared, ALL of the rail type hitches sat on the truck bed floor & bolted underneath to the frame.

Sorry I believe you are wrong on both counts.
B&W Companion, is drawn down to a torque of 40 lb. ft. this does two things, lifts the turnover ball, while pressing the feet into the bed. Once the 5er is attached more pressure downward on the bed.

Rail hitches have brackets that attach to the the TV frame, and support the rails, the brackets support at least 95% of the hitch weight.

Now the PUCK system, it places 100% of the weight directly on the frame of the TV.

Pickup bed material is getting thinner every year, both B&W and Andersen had to make modifications to their foot pads to prevent bed denting.

[cookinwitdiesel]

Finally picked something to pull with the new truck

We will be picking up our new Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R next weekend. Thanks for the help here guys!

Don't worry, I will still hang around even though no longer a Keystone customer

[Logan X]

Originally Posted by cookinwitdiesel

Finally picked something to pull with the new truck

We will be picking up our new Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R next weekend. Thanks for the help here guys!

Don't worry, I will still hang around even though no longer a Keystone customer

That is a good looking trailer, congratulations!

Just out of curiosity, do you need a CDL (in California it’s called class A non commercial license) or an RV endorsement on your license for that heavy of a trailer?

[cookinwitdiesel]

Not in Virginia from what I have seen. Probably should have one because it is a little terrifying they will let anyone drive this down the road though haha.

[cookinwitdiesel]

Some pics for those who like them

Ready for pick up next weekend now!

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

Sorry I believe you are wrong on both counts.
B&W Companion, is drawn down to a torque of 40 lb. ft. this does two things, lifts the turnover ball, while pressing the feet into the bed. Once the 5er is attached more pressure downward on the bed.

Rail hitches have brackets that attach to the the TV frame, and support the rails, the brackets support at least 95% of the hitch weight.

Now the PUCK system, it places 100% of the weight directly on the frame of the TV.

Pickup bed material is getting thinner every year, both B&W and Andersen had to make modifications to their foot pads to prevent bed denting.

Totally agree about the puck system.
As to the rest we'll just have to agree to disagree!!!

Hey Cookin'! That's a great looking truck! IMO the Duramax/Allison is tough to beat!!!!

[cookinwitdiesel]

It has "only" 4519# payload, but that should more than meet my needs....pretty much forever. The diesel 3500HD Denali SRW was only 3501# which is just too limiting with fifth wheels in my opinion.

We had started out looking at Reflection (think Cougar/Laredo/Sprinter) trailers which are lighter than the Solitudes (think Montana/Montana High Country), if I had got the SRW we would have been stuck at the lighter trailers and could not have gotten the awesome floorplan we did. I was not about to buy too small of a truck for the 2nd time in 9 months....

I am excited for this trailer, my wife says I have to keep it 10 years and I do not feel bad about that

[notanlines]

Very nice rig! Are we to assume you are expecting a lot of company, or do you still have children at home?

On edit: I remember now where you wrote needing a place for baby to sleep.

[DucBill]

Thx Cookinwitdiesel for picsnow I'm green with envy, beautiful rig best part is it doesnt say Bosch on FI system or ECU. Enjoy your new rig.

[cookinwitdiesel]

Originally Posted by notanlines

Very nice rig! Are we to assume you are expecting a lot of company, or do you still have children at home?

I am only 31, still got children at home

It will be me, my wife, and our 21 month old daughter on the road. We wanted the bunkhouse so she has a place to nap/sleep separate from the living area and as she gets older, her own space (and bathroom!). My plan is to spoil her rotten We are going to do a ton of camping while she is young, hopefully she wants to keep doing it once older too

[chuckster57]

PM sent. Nice truck to go with your new fiver. Hope you stick around.

[cookinwitdiesel]

Oh I am not going anywhere, you guys are where I have learned just about everything I know about towable RVs!

[Grenel]

I bought a Comfort Ride hitch and absolutely love it. I pull a 2016 Alpine behind my 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and even on bumpy roads I barely notice it. I get no chucking or bounce. The other option I liked is it is adjustable for my shorter box. I didn't need to buy a slider hitch. It is more expensive that the others but for my money it was well worth it

[idcruiserman]

I used an aluminum Andersen hitch for a year towing a 20K+ lb fifth wheel around the country. I had no issues with it. Light weight, strong, and relatively cheap. Frankly, it's a superior product.

[Brantlaker]

I have had the Reese Puck hitch since 2012 and have used it on my last 3 trucks. with the 8ft bed you do not need a slider. The hitch that came with the truck was a 25,000 lb one and used it on my last 3 Fifth wheels never had any problems and at this stage have towed over 85,000 miles with it. I currently tow a 19,000 lb Alfa Gold. they do make a puck adapter with rails if you want.
call Tow Right and talk with them as they are informative and only recommend not hard sell. Just remember RV's are like boats you keep getting bigger and better. The DW is now looking at a 22,000 lb 44ft one now.

[Tatanka Ob Waci]

B&W Companion 20,000# hitch on my 2015 Chevy 3500HD. Haven't had a minutes trouble with it and when you remove the hitch, the bed is flat. It doubles as a goose neck with the way it's set up. Got all my stuff on eBay and saved a ton of money.

[laedge]

Congratulations. I have a 2015 GMC 3500HD Denali. Love the vehicle and as far as the hitch, I installed a Curt Q24 and pull the Keystone Raptor 426TS. No issues at all. The hitch performs well and I especially like that the hitch tilts in all directions. Sometimes I am not lined up perfectly and the ground can be uneven. This is our first 5th Wheel as well and it does take some getting used to. I cannot compare to other hitches, as I said this is our first.