When you’re towing a massive fifth wheel, a quality 5th wheel hitch can greatly improve your towing experience. On the other hand, a low-quality hitch can make hitching and unhitching incredibly frustrating. Check out our list of the best fifth wheel hitches if you’re looking to purchase a hitch soon.
How Do I Know Which Fifth Wheel Hitch I Need?
If your vehicle comes prepped for towing, you still need to choose the right hitch. Consider these factors to figure out the kind of hitch you need for your fifth wheel.
Towing Capacity
Fifth wheel hitches have a rating when it comes to their towing capacity. You don’t need a hitch with a tow rating of 26,000 pounds if you’re only towing 12,000 pounds. Make sure you select a hitch with a rating that’s compatible with your fifth wheel.
You should also keep in mind any future upgrades. For example, if you initially choose a larger hitch, you won’t need to replace it when upgrading to a larger fifth wheel. Considering many of these hitches cost more than $1,000, you don’t want to have to rebuy a hitch when you upgrade to a heavier fifth wheel.
Length of Truck Bed
Truck beds come in three different sizes: short bed, standard, and long bed. A short bed is typically 5 foot 8 inches, a standard bed is 6 foot 5 inches, and a long bed is usually 8 feet long. Therefore, the length of your bed can determine which style of hitch you need.
If you have a short bed or standard bed, consider some sort of sliding hitch. Sliding hitches use a railing system to slide the hitch in the truck’s bed. This creates a greater separation between the vehicle and the fifth wheel. This setup increases the maneuvering angle and keeps the truck and trailer from hitting during tight turns or maneuvering. A long bed truck has a long enough bed that a sliding hitch isn’t typically necessary.
Existing Tow Setup in Bed
When looking for a hitch, consider your truck’s existing tow setup. If your tow vehicle already has a puck system, rails, or a gooseneck ball, go with what you’ve got. This option will often be the easiest and cheapest way to address your hitching needs.
If your truck isn’t set up for towing a fifth wheel, you’re not out of luck. However, it will require a lot more effort and potentially a professional. You’ll need to drill through the bed of your truck to make sure the hitch connects properly.
Pro Tip: Get the perfect hitch ball for your trailer. We took a closer look at all the different trailer hitch ball sizes so you can Get the Right Size for the Job.
The 5 Best Fifth Wheel Hitches
You don’t want to use just any fifth wheel hitch when towing your RV. That’s why we selected five awesome fifth wheel hitches to help you make the best choice.
1. B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch — Strongest Hitch
About the B&W Companion: The B&W Companion is an excellent choice for 5th wheel hitches. This sturdy hitch has a towing limit of 20,000 pounds and a vertical weight limit of 5,000 pounds.
In addition, the cam-action latching handle makes it incredibly easy for RVers to unhitch when setting up camp on an unlevel site. While other hitches will bind, the B&W Companion accepts the challenge and makes it easy to unhitch.
- Fully articulating head allows front to back and side to side...
- Cam action latching handle for easy release, even when parked on...
- Polyurethane bushings provide a quiet, rattle-free towing...
Notable Features: This hitch comes in multiple styles to fit your unique needs: Ford Factory Puck System, GM Factory Puck System, and even a gooseneck adapter option.
➡ Never heard of a gooseneck adapter? We have an excellent rundown here: What Is a Fifth Wheel to Gooseneck Adapter?
What Makes It Great: A fully articulating head and the cam action latching handle make hitching and unhitching as easy as possible. Also, with a single locking mechanism instead of dual jaws, you’ll have the securest connection possible once you close and lock the handle in place.
2. CURT E16 Fifth Wheel Hitch
About the CURT E16: The CURT E16 has a rating of 16,000 pounds towing and 4,000 pounds vertical load. This hitch comes with legs and wheelbase rails to help mount onto under-bed fifth wheel brackets.
The E16 has an anti-rattle feature to help reduce vibration at the coupling point. The automatic locking feature makes hitching easier and more secure. The dual-pivoting head gives you 10 degrees of lateral movement, which creates a smooth and stable towing experience.
- DUAL-PIVOT HEAD. This CURT 5th wheel hitch features a...
- AUTO-LOCK. The coupler of this 5th wheel hitch has an automatic...
- ANTI-RATTLE. To help reduce rattling and vibration at the...
Notable Features: One of the most notable features of the E16 5th wheel hitch is the automatic lock. You want hitching and unhitching to be incredibly easy, especially if you’re new to fifth wheels. You’ll enjoy added security knowing the automatic lock initiates when conditions are right for coupling.
What Makes It Great: This is an excellent hitch for not only its performance but also its budget-friendly price of less than $500.
Pro Tip: Looking for the perfect fifth wheel to hitch to your vehicle? Take A Closer Look At DRV Fifth Wheels.
3. Pro Series Fifth Wheel Hitch
About the Pro Series: The Pro Series Fifth Wheel Hitch includes the head, head support, handle kit, and legs. This hitch has a tow weight rating of 20,000 pounds and a 5,000 pounds vertical weight capacity. It works with many universal 4-bolt and 10-bolt rail kits and has a compatible slider system available.
It also has a wider footprint, which provides for superior stability during towing. You’ll have the ability to adjust the hitch vertically from 13.5 inches to 17 inches to ensure a level RV while towing.
- Product Type :Tow Hitch
- Package Dimensions :33.528 Cm L X41.91 Cm W X60.452 Cm H
- Country Of Origin :Taiwan
Notable Features: The dual jaw system surrounds the kingpin. This system provides an incredibly secure connection and minimizes wear and tear on the kingpin.
What Makes It Great: The 20,000-pound towing capacity makes this a great hitch. It’s an excellent hitch for your first fifth wheel and has a significant amount of towing capacity if you choose to upgrade.
4. Anderson Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection — Lightest and Easiest Hitch to Use
About the Anderson Ultimate: The Anderson Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection is the lightest and easiest hitch to use. The base of this incredibly lightweight hitch weighs a mere 35 pounds and makes it easy to remove the hitch when not in use. You can install or remove this hitch in less than five minutes.
Adjust between three heights to help level the RV for optimal towing. The custom ball has a coupler that’s greaseless, which means you’ll no longer have to worry about dirty hands, a mess, or applying lube.
- [LIGHTWEIGHT]: Made of Aircraft-Grade Aluminum, the Ultimate...
- [ADJUSTABLE]: Three height level adjustments: 16-3/4" lower...
- [EASY HOOK-UP]: Features a patented remote latch/unlatch cable...
Notable Features: Some of the most notable features of the Anderson Ultimate hitch are its lightweight design and ease of installation. Being able to quickly and easily install or uninstall the hitch gives you back the storage space in the bed of your truck when you’re not RVing.
What Makes It Great: The Anderson Ultimate is a great hitch because of its weight, ease of use, and price.
5. PullRite SuperGlide — Best for Short Beds
About the PullRite SuperGlide: The PullRite SuperGlide is the best option if you have a short bed truck. The SuperGlide moves up to 14 inches when you’re making a turn and automatically engages when needed. This separation is 50% farther than most manual sliding hitches, which only activate when you get out to adjust them.
This hitch has a weight rating of 16,000 pounds and is a great option for small fifth wheels. However, the hitch weighs 150 pounds and could be difficult to remove when not in use.
- 16K Weight Capacity
- SuperGlide moves up to 14" while making a turn - 50% farther than...
- Automatic operation
Notable Features: This hitch has a fully articulating dual pivot head, an automatic locking latch, and a gear-driven latch to help reduce bumps while towing.
What Makes It Great: This is a great sliding hitch because it automatically initiates when needed. It’s sometimes difficult to see when you need to use the sliding feature on a manual sliding hitch. This hitch protects your RV and truck from being damaged.
Best Overall: Anderson Ultimate Hitch
The best overall hitch for fifth wheels is the Anderson Ultimate Hitch. You don’t need to have massive muscles to lift this hitch into the bed of your truck. This incredibly lightweight and easy-to-install hitch is a popular option among RVers.
This hitch helps create a secure connection, which can ease your anxieties when hitching. You won’t have to worry any longer about whether you’re hitching securely before pulling out of your site.
What Does It Cost to Install a Fifth Wheel Hitch?
If your truck has a factory-installed towing package, you’ll likely pay $100 to $250 to have your 5th wheel hitch installed. This price will differ from shop to shop and is largely dependent on the hourly rate charged by the shop.
On the other hand, if your truck doesn’t come with a factory-installed towing package, you should expect to pay $750 to $1,700. But, again, the price can vary depending on the shop’s hourly rate.
These five fifth wheel hitches rank high in the RVing community. They earn their reputations because they do a tremendous job and improve RVers’ lives. We’re confident you’ll have a great experience when you choose any of these hitches.
What type of fifth wheel hitch do you use? Let us know in the comments.
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John Arthur
Monday 31st of October 2022
You need to do more homework, the Andersen hitch is dangerous and should not be on the market. They are only static tested and will collapse when hard side loaded. They do not meet SAE J2638 standards
Dalton Bourne
Tuesday 4th of January 2022
It was unbelievable, the simplicity and ease that the fifth wheel from Andersen brought to me. First time out, driving 1100 miles, and so quiet, I almost forgot my fifth wheel was hooked up. I also love that it's only about 39 pounds to lift up and out of my truck bed. In addition, it offers more rotation than other models, which makes it particularly well-suited to rough terrain such as country roads.
Dave D.
Monday 13th of March 2023
@Dalton Bourne,
I have used my Andersen Ultimate hitch for almost 4 years now towing my 20k 5th wheel. Last week while driving on a major freeway in downtown Phoenix I had to break hard for an accident that occurred ahead. When I accelerated my 5th wheel fell to the back of my truck only being saved by the safety chains and my Canyon ice chest. We were extremely lucky but still suffered thousands of dollars damage to our truck and trailer. I loved the hitch up til then but now would not recommend it for a heavy 5th wheel. I do praise the strength of my Canyon cooler that saved me from much more damage.
Dalton Bourne
Saturday 8th of January 2022
I didn’t even mention it has a weight capacity of 24,000 pounds, which is more than enough for most 5th wheel trailers. All in all, this Andersen product lives up to the high-quality reputation the company has carried throughout the years.
Chuck Potter
Monday 19th of July 2021
You did not list the absolute BEST fifthwheel hitch: Henley's Trailer Saver air ride hitch. Look at the reviews, YouTube videos, and the company. The hitch is the finest and so is their customer service!
Mortons on the Move
Wednesday 25th of August 2021
Thank you for the recommendation!
Gary G
Monday 19th of July 2021
We use the Trailer Saver, by Hensley Mfg. TS3 model. Well worth the money and the name says it it all, you should check them out.