Facing trouble while carrying your necessary but weighty items within your short bed trucks or SUV is not a good feeling, right? That is why we recommend you use different types of hitches.
There are many fifth wheel hitches found in the market. However, you can use our recommendations for the best 5th wheel hitches to help you choose the best one for you.
The first thing to think about is how much weight capacity the fifth wheel will be able to carry when it’s fully loaded. The money you spend on a hitch that can’t support the weight of your furniture and other things is a waste.
In addition, buying things without weighing them is bad for you on its own. Doing research by using them personally and taking customer reviews under consideration, we have given a detailed review on the 5 best fifth wheel hitches.
What are the types of 5th wheel hitches?
For a complete understanding of 5th wheel hitch selection, you first need to know how it works, whether you have a short bed or long bed vehicle, and is this what you want? Then, you will be able to make a knowledgeable judgment at the end. Your trailer, truck, and hauling needs will help you make your final choice.
1. The Gooseneck
It can sometimes be attached to the back of a truck bed. There is a lot of extra weight that the pins are adding, and they require help carrying it. These trailers need gooseneck hitches, which are made for them. As a result, they are able to distribute the weight and pivot in the best way possible. Keep your RV and short bed truck safe when you’re on the road!
2. Two Pivots
In the dual pivoting head, you can only move in two different ways. Forward and backward. With this type of lateral movement, your truck will be able to go down and up hills, too. That isn’t true, though. The ideal thing will be to do is to keep an eye out for bumps and potholes on the road.
3. The Four-Pivot
Adding a 5th wheel hitch with four pivot points is the last thing you need to do. It can handle all of the swaying and rocking that happens when the ground isn’t level. The truck bed and hitch should stay in good shape when this type of pickup truck is used.
4. Sliding
These hitches are best for short bed pickup trucks. A height of 8 feet or fewer is better. When you make those tight turns, you don’t want your trailer to hit the cab of your truck.
The bad thing is that a model like this with a short bed requires the use of a slide. Then, you leave the car so that you can make the last adjustments to the trailer’s hitch before it is locked in place.
To start over, make the tight turn and then come to a complete stop with a short bed one. A good thing about this is that you can also get models that aren’t made by hand. However, they don’t come cheap, and you have to decide if the price is worth it.
5. Double Jaw
This type of hitch is used by many people and has two “kingpins.” A lot of the time, these jaws seem to lock together. This isn’t always the case.
Drive, and they can control how much movement and noise there is. But, there’s a downside to it, as well. It’s because there are two jaws that each has less strength than the two of them together.
6. Single Jaw
It is important to use a single jaw 5th wheel hitch when you are towing a lot of weight. To make a towable that weighs more than 25K pounds, you need an all-in-one design. Because it has more power! Because they can also handle more weight, they are better able to deal with high loads.
Our Top Picked Best Fifth Wheel Hitch (Performance tasted)
IMAGE | BRAND | KEY FEATURES | OUR RATING | PRICE |
TOP PICKED  | CURT 16120 A16 |
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RUNNER UP  | Andersen |
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 | B&W |
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 | Pro Series |
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 | CURT 5th Wheel Slider Hitch |
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1. Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Hitch: Compatible with short bed trucks
Andersen’s ultimate 5th Wheel Hitch Connection is stronger than ever and comes with a unique ball funnel that makes connecting even easier. This is the reason why people are going to change the way they tow fifth wheels.
Towing experience with a fifth wheel isn’t always easy, but with a base weight of just 35 pounds, Andersen solved one of the most common problems. This unit’s foundation can be put in or taken out in just a few seconds. People who work with Andersen Hitches have found a way to make life a whole lot easier with long or even short bed trucks.
Read: Does the Andersen 5th wheel hitch short bed truck friendly?
Pros
- When compared to a gooseneck mounted 5th wheel hitch, this set-up is much less heavy.
- It gives amazing usability at a lower expense.
- Short bed trucks don’t need an adapter.
Cons
- If you want to connect your trailer to a short or long bed truck with a 5th wheel hitch, you’ll have to take the converter out of your pin box.
Read the full review of Andersen hitch: Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch Review
2. CURT 16120 A16 5th Wheel Hitch: Best High Weight Capacity Hitch
In some cases, the hitch on your short bed pickup trucks might be too weak to drive with a big trailer. That’s why you need the best fifth wheel hitch with a double jaw design for this kind of job.
The model 16120 A16 of CURT 5th wheel hitch, as an example, shows what we mean. There are more than 25K pounds in the company’s A-series. There are also 24k and 20k pounds. In that case, you can choose between this 25K version or the two other ones.
How much weight do you want it to carry! Cost-wise, the CURT 5th wheel hitch isn’t one of the most expensive. One of the best things about axial bearings is that they are nothing short of incredible. Having a bearing that can move in all directions makes it easy to move around. In the long run, this does not affect how well you do.
It is easier and quieter to tow and thanks to these parts. CURT 5th wheel hitch comes with all the screws and bolts you need to put together and attach things.
Weight capacity is what really stands out. As long as it has a weight capacity of 24,000 to 30,000 pounds, it can handle even the heaviest loads with any length of the bed. The 16120 A16 of CURT 5th wheel hitch can help you move to a new house and go camping. Unexpectedly, given how much it can hold and how cheap it is, it’s a great deal.
It’s a shame because this CURT 5th wheel hitch doesn’t have a height adjustment for all of them. Before you buy the 16120 A16 of CURT 5th wheel hitch, you should check the height of the car you want to tow with your short bed truck.
Pros
- In this case, the pivoting mechanism makes it possible to tilt the screen in any direction.
- The stoppers on the head are made of thick rubber.
Cons
- Not every short bed truck can be made taller.
3. B&W Hitch: Best 5th wheel hitch for ford puck system
Everyone who knows anything about trailer hitches will tell you that B&W’s 5th wheel hitch makes the best hitches out there. Neither this option nor the rest of them is an exception to the rules.
If you’re looking for the best 5th wheel hitch for your ford puck then the B&W hitch is the best.
Installing it is a breeze, thanks to a great way to mount it. Your truck’s bed can still be used for other things because it has a gooseneck shape. It’s good to use this when you’re not in charge of moving the goods! The hitch you’re looking at can tow RVs and trailers that weigh up to 20,000 pounds with ease.
Because the head can move in all directions, from front to back and from side to side, it can be rotated in any direction with ease. As a result, you’ll be able to make very precise moves.
To thank for this, the polyurethane bushings have to do with it. Their job is to improve the B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch’s ability to jerk and cut down on noise. This is why we’re telling you about it now that you know why.
It will come to life as soon as you push the lever. Then, put in the attachment post that comes with the kit. Before you tighten the bolts, put the base on top of the shank and do the same thing.
In terms of setting up, that’s all there is to it. Also, the unit is very easily removable. So, when it comes to the B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch, there should be no room for question.
When it is about weight capacity, there is a big difference between the B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch and the other options that are out there. Think about whether or not this sounds important at this point.
Pros
- The B&W hitch is well-made.
- Easy-to-use system and doesn’t make a lot of noise.
- It can carry a lot of weight.
Cons
- It’s not as light as a feather.
4. Pro Series 20K Fifth Wheel Hitch: Easy to install
There aren’t many 5th wheel hitches that can be used with small beds. Another 5th wheel hitch called the Pro Series 20K 5th wheel hitch, on the other hand, is.
Setting up is good for both short and long beds. It can pull a lot of big trucks. About 20,000 pounds, and it’s a lot! Stability is kept up through the whole process. The kit comes with a four-direction pivoting head.
When you need it the most, you should be able to get where you’re going quickly and easily. Towing an RV or trailer, don’t expect to hit any bumps. In order to have the smoothest 5th wheel hitch, Pro Series 20K is your best bet. We’ve used it on any type of road surface to test its performance.
To make sure everyone’s safe, the trailer is locked to the short bed truck with a high-tech locking system. The Pro Series 20K 5th Wheel Hitch is very useful and is made to last.
This Pro series 5th wheel hitch has the simplest handle to get to, so it is easy to use. The fact that these things are good doesn’t mean that they have to cost a lot of money. For the money, the Pro series is a good deal. So there should be no room for doubt and uncertainty when looking at other choices.
Unhitching is a breeze because there is less tossing, and the process is simple. As soon as you buy the Pro Series 20K 5th Wheel Hitch, you’ll get a lot more than you expected.
There is a lot of good quality in the goods as a whole. It is easy to install but doesn’t have an installation kit, though.
Pros
- The assembling time is very short.
- Because the head can move, it can be used in places that are hard to get to.
Cons
- Compare to other hitches, the quality could be better.
5. CURT 16516 E16 5th Wheel Slider Hitch: Compatible with ford puck system
When it comes to long-term use, the CURT 5th wheel hitch has a fully articulating head, and the design is the best. This is the best choice for long-term value. We don’t think it’s very likely that even the one CURT product we talked about before can compete on that level.
The device we’re testing now is more durable and can handle the extra weight. During this time, we’d like to draw your attention to a problem that we’ve seen. When you’re making tight turns, it’s hard to make stationary hitches. In bad moods, you’re more likely to smash or hit something.
A useful sliding mechanism was put in place because of this, and it solved the problem. When you use this method, you can turn the trailer around so that it is easier to get around. Rollers are also very important to the sliding system’s smooth operation.
Instead of hitches that use hollow bed rails, this one does not. There is a possibility that your load will be evenly spread out, so you can rest easy. As a result, maximum durability is now possible.
Under stress, the hitch doesn’t even move! That kingpin is no match for the double-jaw mechanism. That means there won’t be any noise. People who value quality as much as they do longevity should check out this choice because it is good for them.
Too many good things are packed into the 16516 E16 5th Wheel Hitch, making it hard to not choose. It has two sets of jaws that work together to make a tight seal.
In addition, there are also roller-sliding features for when you need to make a tight turn quickly. Even the mounting method is simple because there is a lot of space.
Finally, this is a great 5th wheel hitch that will meet and even exceed all of your needs. Putting the item together on your own is almost certain to make you angry. Because of this, it’s best to get help installing the 16516 E16 5th Wheel Hitch from a pro.
Pros
- High-quality CURT hitches.
- Handle for easy, and locks can’t be tampered with or robbed.
- Torsion heads can be moved in any direction.
Cons
- People can hear it a long way away.
- There is a little trouble getting the system up and running at first.
Not sure between Cart and B&W hitch? here’s a comparison video of these two hitches:
Comparison Table of the Best Fifth wheel hitch
| Products | Weight | Built | Durability | Special Feature |
| Andersen Hitch | 55 pounds | Aluminum | yes | Greaseless coupler |
| Curt 16120 A16 | 0.9 pounds | Carbide | yes | Full Articulation |
| B&W Trailer Hitch | 1 pound | Polyurethane | no | Easy release |
| Pro series 20k | ‎111.5 pounds | Aluminum | yes | No special feature |
| Curt 16516 E16 | 12 pounds | Carbide | no | Auto locking feature |
Tips for selecting the Best 5th Wheel Hitch for you
The only way to tell good from bad is to look at the most important things. Every buyer’s guide would not be complete without them. Shop for a 5th wheel hitch with these things in mind.
Installation
There should not be any question about which one you should choose with your truck and trailer. In that case, it can be more difficult to get it set up. It’s possible and easy to install to a lot of units on your own now, without the help of a pro.
There are plenty of service providers out there that make things like this, and you need to find them. As a result, you won’t have to go out and buy all of the parts on your own.
Usability
The more simple it is to use, the better. Convenience is thought to be the most important thing to think about. You can disconnect and reconnect the hitch based on your needs, which makes it easier for you to use the car, taking a trailer with you when you drive.
Exterior
Fiberglass is the best material to use to make the best fifth wheel hitches. It has a deep, shiny look.
Capacity to hold a certain amount of weight
The wrong hitch puts you in danger. A machine that can handle the weight capacity of a full-filled trailer is what you need to get. A model that doesn’t take into account the total capacity is dangerous from the start.
Price
Another good fact is to compare the features of the hitch to how much it costs, too. Make sure that the equipment has a lot of great features in order to justify its price. To be sure, don’t just look at a products’ price tag to see if it’s good or bad.
For one thing, not all high-priced solutions are guaranteed to be of the best value! Because not all 5th wheel hitches that are cheap don’t cost cheap.
How much does it cost to install a fifth wheel hitch?
If you have a truck that can tow one, 5th wheels are a great choice because they have a lot more space than a normal travel trailer. Get a 5th wheel hitch for your truck first. Then for the installation, a professional can do it for you, or you can do it yourself if you think you can do it well. In this case, it’s very clear that the costs of the two different solutions are very different.
How much does a fifth wheel hitch cost to put in? At a shop, a 5th Wheel hitch will cost between $800 and $1600. If you do it yourself, you should expect to pay between $200 and $500 for a hitch and a set of tools. When you buy more equipment, the price will go up.
Putting in a 5th wheel hitch yourself can save you a lot of money, but it can also be hard. Having the right tools and having a good understanding of how the process works will make your life a lot easier. A little more for the service, but you’ll get a little more assurance that the work will be done to your liking.
Read our fifth wheel installation guidelines
FAQs of the Best Fifth Wheel Hitch
Can the fifth wheel hitch remove?
A girth wheel hitch can be taken apart and is removable. Fifth wheel hitches are placed in the middle of a truck’s strong bed, where they can handle more weight. This, too, makes it easier to get into and out of small places.
It should be easily removable, and in about 20 minutes, you should be able to remove the hitch if you have all the tools you need. Putting a hitch on the truck’s bed is usually done with “slide” rails that are bolted to both the bottom and the top.
The difference between a fifth wheel and a gooseneck hitch?
A gooseneck trailer’s vertical coupler is connected to the hitch via a gooseneck ball in a gooseneck hitch. The kingpin of fifth wheel trailers is attached with a 5th wheel hitch using a set of jaws and a pivoting plate. On the wheel trailer side of a gooseneck connection, the coupler or receiver mechanism is the coupler.
Read:
What’s better a gooseneck hitch or a fifth wheel hitch?
Towing for fun needs a 5th wheel hitch while towing for business, and farming needs a gooseneck hitch. Third and 5th wheel hitches are better than hitches that are gooseneck because they provide a more stable ride. Gooseneck hitches are better because they are less intrusive.
What is a fifth wheel slider hitch?
A 5th wheel hitch that slides along rails in the truck bed is known as a sliding 5th wheel hitch. Unlike a traditional 5th wheel hitch, this one can be slid along the rails. In this way, the truck and trailer are separated more clearly from each other.
Do the 5th wheel hitches require a lot of maintenance?
Maintaining your fifth wheel hitch will help keep your trailer from disengaging while you’re driving. An inspection and maintenance should be performed every 3 months or 48,000 kilometers due to the high load on this component.
Conclusion
As far as the fifth wheel towing experience is concerned, you don’t want to take any chances. Especially, for this reason, we have selected only the best hitches for your consideration. We hope you will be helped by our reviews and will be able to find out a perfect one for you as per your need.
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