Question on fifth wheel hitch systems

[jdixon980]

On these new Ram, Chevy and Ford trucks with the fifth wheel prep. There are holes already in the bed of these trucks. How does this work? Would my current Reese 16k slider hitch work in this situation? Would I just add rails for my hitch or do you have to have a whole new hitch for this mounting system?

[Salsaman1a]

Good question. Give etrailer.com shout and explain to them your delemma. I am sure they can assist you with matching your current hitch with a railing system for your new truck.

[rhagfo]

Just bought a new to us 2016 Ram 3500 DRW with the 5th Wheel prep. I bought a "Picture Frame adapter" that allows you to drop a hitch designed for rails into and use the pucks.

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[Toneaero]

Super easy with your factory puck system. All you will need is a rail system that uses the factory pucks and your current hitch will pin to the new rails. No modifications needed.

[notanlines]

877-507-0711 is the number for tech support at a very large Reese hitch dealer in Minnesota. These people will assist you in a product that, as mentioned above, will make your transition seamless. And what else do they have to do? It is 14 below zero right now...

[Pmedic4]

I had the same predicament with the hitch when I upgraded my truck. I looked at the 'picture frame' mount, and that would have worked. However the cost of the picture frame mount was very close to just purchasing a new puck mount hitch, especially after I sold the old hitch and rails. I thought the regular mount would be a better fit too.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Pmedic4

I had the same predicament with the hitch when I upgraded my truck. I looked at the 'picture frame' mount, and that would have worked. However the cost of the picture frame mount was very close to just purchasing a new puck mount hitch, especially after I sold the old hitch and rails. I thought the regular mount would be a better fit too.

Well not my case, picture frame was $300, I could sell the Reese for maybe $250, more likely $200. Well the B&W puck hitch is at least $1,100 to $1,300. Not even close maybe in the future.

[Pmedic4]

It's been about four years ago, but at the time I went with the Curt Q16 (I think these models have changed some?), and it was about $600 at the time. The frames then we're about $400 or so, and selling my old Pullrite for about $200 was my break even point. The Curt is definitely a better hitch, so I was happy just getting this upgrade for the hitch.

Also considered the Anderson Ultimate, but at the time it was brand new with no reviews. The reduced weight definitely sounds appealing, especially when you have to take those beasts out off season.

[JRTJH]

The CURT A, Q and E series fifth wheel hitches are composed of three basic parts, the hitch head, the head mount and the legs (or legs/roller assy on slide hitches). The only difference in the "puck style" and the "rail style" hitches is the legs. The head mount and the hitch head are identical for each of the A, Q or E series hitches (in any of the various weight ratings).

So, if you have a CURT fifth wheel hitch and buy a new truck with the puck system, you can special order the legs to fit your puck system and install them on your head mount and "convert" your rail style hitch to a puck style hitch.

I did my A16 in 2015 when we bought the new truck. Previously I'd been using the Reese picture frame adapter but the new truck was about 2" taller than the old truck and I needed the reduced height, so I swapped out the legs, eliminated the picture frame and the hitch head was almost 2.5" lower than with the picture frame and the rail legs.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Pmedic4

It's been about four years ago, but at the time I went with the Curt Q16 (I think these models have changed some?), and it was about $600 at the time. The frames then we're about $400 or so, and selling my old Pullrite for about $200 was my break even point. The Curt is definitely a better hitch, so I was happy just getting this upgrade for the hitch.

Also considered the Anderson Ultimate, but at the time it was brand new with no reviews. The reduced weight definitely sounds appealing, especially when you have to take those beasts out off season.

Two different situations, I was keeping my rail mounted 16K Reese hitch. Down the road may look at a B&W puck hitch.

[Bolo4u]

Another option for using a factory prep puck system with an existing ISR (industry standard rail) hitch is a Demco brand "picture frame" type adaptor. (https://www.demco-products.com/rv-to...prep-brackets/)

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Bolo4u

Another option for using a factory prep puck system with an existing ISR (industry standard rail) hitch is a Demco brand "picture frame" type adaptor. (https://www.demco-products.com/rv-to...prep-brackets/)

Ouch, $450 to $584 that is crazy for adapter!
I thought $321 was bad.

[Bolo4u]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

Ouch, $450 to $584 that is crazy for adapter!

I thought $321 was bad.

The BW puck specific hitch system is $1000 plus. You can find them used on Craigslist for less.

The Demco frame is made in USA, and I don't think the Reese frame is.

[Snoking]

Originally Posted by Bolo4u

Another option for using a factory prep puck system with an existing ISR (industry standard rail) hitch is a Demco brand "picture frame" type adaptor. (https://www.demco-products.com/rv-to...prep-brackets/)

The nice thing about my Demco 6099 picture frame is that it can be released from the pucks with the hitch installed. Not so with the Reese PF. Chris

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Snoking

The nice thing about my Demco 6099 picture frame is that it can be released from the pucks with the hitch installed. Not so with the Reese PF. Chris

I'm not sure what hitch/adapter system you're using, but with my CURT A5 hitch and the Reese picture frame adapter, I could unlock the adapter from the pucks and remove the entire assembly as a single unit. HEAVY, but the locking levers that lock the picture frame adapter to the under-bed pucks are easily accessible with the hitch mounted on the adapter frame.

[Snoking]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

I'm not sure what hitch/adapter system you're using, but with my CURT A5 hitch and the Reese picture frame adapter, I could unlock the adapter from the pucks and remove the entire assembly as a single unit. HEAVY, but the locking levers that lock the picture frame adapter to the under-bed pucks are easily accessible with the hitch mounted on the adapter frame.

That appears to be the FORD design. The one Russ has in his picture is the original RAM design where the long release handles could not be turned with the hitch pinned to the PF. Reese must of learned for Demco.

Ford's bed pucks are much closer front to back verse the RAM one.

[sdetweil]

Originally Posted by Bolo4u

The BW puck specific hitch system is $1000 plus. You can find them used on Craigslist for less.

The Demco frame is made in USA, and I don't think the Reese frame is.

I bought a used Ford B&W 20k puck hitch for $650.. sold my rail based Patriot B&W (prior truck) for $300..

from Craigslist

[Genek]

Anderson Ultimate is GREAT!!! That’s my review after a 7 month 18,500 mile trip.

[roadglide]

I used curt puck 2 rail that locked in place less then 300$ .It lock into the bed holes. Chevy and dodge used the same rails. My Reese 20k hitch set on top of the rails that aligned into the puck rails .

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by Genek

Anderson Ultimate is GREAT!!! That’s my review after a 7 month 18,500 mile trip.

Agree I unloaded at least 150 lbs by using Anderson hitch and a lot easier to connect . Traveled all kinds of terrine twisting 10,000 reliable miles with the Anderson. Keystone has me down on record stating if my frame crack under the 1 year warranty they will not repair .