Fifth Wheel Hitches & Components

Well, you put a fifth-wheel trailer on it and gain the ability to tow up to 30,000 pounds with just a pickup. How do fifth wheels work such magic? Their design distributes the trailer’s weight more evenly and decreases torque on the truck frame. This works to minimize wear and tear on the truck and increase towing capacity, all while improving maneuverability. Connect your trailer or fifth-wheel RV to your pickup with a fifth-wheel hitch. Then, marvel at the possibilities of all you can do with it. Haul agricultural supplies, livestock, heavy machinery, or 30-ton campers for big adventures. Much can be accomplished by using this type of trailer. Taking the time to research and find the right one is a wise investment.

Fifth-wheel trailers are freaks of nature! As lightweights with the ability to do heavyweight-level hauling, they employ some unique mechanisms. Unlike other trailers, they don’t use ball hitches. Instead, they rely on a heavy-duty attachment system- this is where fifth-wheel hitches come in. These hitches are built to take on much heavier loads than the average ball hitch. When learning how to install a fifth-wheel hitch, understand that the trailer attaches to the rear of the truck bed, and its weight presses down between the cab and rear axle. This component is the key to balancing the weight of the trailer. It's what allows fifth-wheel hitches to carry so much extra cargo.

A flat horseshoe-shaped platform lies in the truck's bed. Metal rails beneath the hitch connect to the pickup truck’s frame for extra fortitude. The kingpin connects and secures the trailer to the fifth-wheel hitch, locking it into place but still allowing for pivots and turning movements. Both the trailer and the wheel hitch have flat plates that slide against each other when in motion, so lubrication is essential.

When choosing a fifth-wheel hitch, you will want to look for compatibility and quality. Compatibility is the first feature to consider because a top-of-the-line hitch wouldn’t be worth much to you if it doesn’t fit the specifications of your truck and trailer. You’ll need to assess the towing capacity and weight of your rig, the dimensions of your truck bed, and the availability of pucks for mounting. Other factors include the presence of removable versus permanent fifth-wheel rails, pivoting systems, and fixed versus sliding styles. With these features in mind, let's dive into some of the best fifth-wheel hitches on the market.

B&W Fifth-Wheel Hitch:

The B&W Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch is known and beloved by RV enthusiasts, not just for its power but for its ease of use and seamless operation. It's designed with ultra-strong and secure polyurethane bushings for quiet, smooth rides, free of rough, jerking movements. A fully articulating head allows for both front-to-back and side-to-side pivoting. This makes hitching and unhitching a breeze. Their latching handles provide an easy release, even on unlevel surfaces. With its wide stance and fortified engineering, you can count on the B&W Companion Fifth-Wheel Hitch for strong, stable towing.

Draw Tite Pro Series 20k Fifth Wheel Hitch:

The Draw Tite Pro Series 20k Fifth-Wheel Hitch offers some of the best value you can on a hitch for hauling abilities of up to 20,000 pounds. Its design boasts several advanced features for stability, security, and smooth towing. On the Pro Series 20k, you’ll find a jaw handle and tab for the option of padlock security, a 4-way pivoting head, and a floating head for easy connection on uneven ground. The double-jaw enveloped kingpin reduces wear and tear on your rig. Even with all of these heavy-duty features, the Pro Series 20k is still easy to install and remove for full truck bed access. Equipped with pre-lubricated side joints, the operation of this hitch is tight and efficient. The Draw Tite Pro Series 20k Fifth-Wheel Hitch makes life easier for the avid camper enthusiast and is well worth the investment!

The Curt Q24 Fifth-Wheel Hitch:

If there were heavyweights of fifth-wheel hitches, The Curt Q24 would be at the top of the class. This fifth-wheel hitch weighs in at a hefty 136 pounds. With dual locking jaws and three-position couplers, you can rest assured that this thing can get into position and haul some serious cargo. It’s strong enough to handle a whopping 24,000 pounds of equipment, camper weight, or whatever you throw on it. This is especially great for those with deluxe RVs or oversized campers. It features a self-aligning head, single-handle operation, and a durable carbide powder coat finish for longevity.

The Q in “Curt Q24” stands for quiet—its spherical axial bearing achieves advanced levels of noise control. This feature sets it apart from competitors with the typical set of rods because the spherical bearing can allow for omnidirectional pivoting. The Curt Q24 Fifth Wheel Hitch was designed for smoother turns, quieter rides, and heavy lifting that takes a lot of the wear and tear off your truck and trailer!

The price of a fifth-wheel hitch can vary greatly depending on the metal, the brand, and the gross trailer weight rating of the hitch. Budget-friendly fifth-wheel hitches can cost as low as several hundred dollars, and more high-end fifth-wheel hitches can get up to the couple thousand range. The general trend for hitch pricing is that the greater the gross trailer weight, the higher the price. High-end hitches also usually have special designs and technology that render them superior for pulling heavy loads. Such features could include more heavy-duty attachment hardware, sliding hitches, and better bearings.

Once you’ve ensured that your vehicle is rated properly for your trailer, you can begin the installation process. To best understand how to install a fifth-wheel hitch, begin by reading the owner’s manual for any instructions specific to yours. If you don’t have that, try contacting the manufacturer or the vehicle.

The installation instructions you acquire should help indicate the exact position for optimal towing. If you’re wondering how to install a fifth-wheel hitch easily, the most preferable next step would involve a fifth-wheel installation kit specific to your vehicle. These custom no-weld, no-drill kits can save you a lot of time- and headaches. They come with all the hardware you need for a basic install, along with pre-drilled holes that line up perfectly with brackets. Custom-fit installation kits speed up the process, allowing you to skip the steps of drilling holes and welding brackets in place.

From there, you can begin anchoring the hitch to the frame of the truck. This will help it stay secure through all the hauling and pulling it's going to do. Installing a rail kit will add to this security, acting as a foundation for the hitch. The rails connect to the frame via brackets, allowing easy installation and removal. They should not be installed over a plastic bed liner. Over time, the plastic will decay, causing the rails to sit loosely and preventing the hitch from being secure. Truck beds with spray-in liners, on the other hand, are perfectly suitable for fifth-wheel hitches.

If you want to learn how to install a fifth-wheel hitch completely DIY, this will take more time, effort, and especially measuring. Here’s an overview of what most D.I.Y. fifth-wheel hitch installations will require at the very least. Do-it-yourself operations are not for everyone, but they can be worth the money, ability to customize, learning experience, and feelings of achievement that come along with them.

1.       Make Measurements:

Measure and mark precise points for drilling in the mounting brackets. Use a tape measurer to ensure exact alignment.

2.       Install Mounting Brackets

Position your mounting brackets on their marked spot and use a drill bit to create holes for the bolts. Insert the bolts and fasten them with nuts and washers. Then, take a step back and confirm that they're all aligned and level.

3.       Put the Hitch Head Together

Assemble the hitch head according to the manufacturer's instructions if available. Place the hitch head onto the truck bed’s mounting brackets so that they’re aligned with the trailer’s kingpin. Using a torque wrench, secure the connection of the bolts that link the hitch head and mounting brackets.

4.       Test Out the Connection

Lower your fifth-wheel trailer onto the hitch. Check for any excessive movement or slippage of the kingpin from the hitch head. If the fit is tight and everything looks good, place safety chains on the trailer as needed.

5.       Practice Your Maneuvers & Get Ready for the Road

Double-check everything again and take your rig for a test drive to practice your maneuvers in a safe, low-risk environment.