6 Absolute Best 5th Wheel Hitches (2024 Guide) - Travels with Ted (2025)

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The most important accessory for 5th wheel owners is the hitch that keeps the RV securely attached to your tow vehicle. But, how do you know what hitch is the right solution for your truck and camper?

In this guide to the best 5th wheel hitches, we share how to select a 5th wheel hitch and our picks for the best 5th wheel hitches.

Contents

  • 1 What are 5th Wheel Hitches?
  • 2 Factors to Consider when Selecting a 5th Wheel Hitch
    • 2.1 5th Wheel Weight
    • 2.2 Truck Bed Length
    • 2.3 5th Wheel and Truck Usage
  • 3 The Best 5th Wheel Hitches
    • 3.1 Andersen Ultimate Connection Rail Mount Hitch
    • 3.2 Andersen Ultimate Connection Gooseneck Mount Hitch
    • 3.3 Andersen Ultimate Connection Toolbox Hitch
  • 4 Other Great 5th Wheel Hitches
    • 4.3 CURT 16115 E16 5th Wheel Hitch
  • 5 Fifth Wheel Hitch Maintenance

What are 5th Wheel Hitches?

6 Absolute Best 5th Wheel Hitches (2024 Guide) - Travels with Ted (1)

Fifth wheel or 5th wheel RVs are a special type of travel trailer. Instead of connecting to the bumper hitch, fifth wheels connect to a hitch located in the bed of a pickup truck.

Therefore, in order to tow a fifth wheel a special hitch has to be installed in the center of your truck’s bed. There are several different kinds of fifth wheel hitches, so it can be hard to know which is best for your towing needs.

In this article we will share factors to consider when selecting a 5th wheel hitch and our picks for the best 5th wheel hitches on the market.

Factors to Consider when Selecting a 5th Wheel Hitch

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5th Wheel Weight

The most important consideration when selecting the best 5th wheel hitch is the weight of your RV. There are two weight ratings to consider when purchasing a 5th wheel hitch: the gross towed weight rating and the tongue weight.

The gross towed weight rating, also known as the GTWR, is the total towing capacity of a hitch or vehicle. The GTWR of the hitch needs to be higher than the total weight of your fifth wheel and any cargo it is carrying.

To determine your maximum total weight, locate the federal certification / VIN sticker on the front half of your 5th wheel (it’s usually on the left side). This sticker will include the 5th wheel’s GVWR or gross vehicle weight rating.

The total weight of your 5th wheel with cargo should never exceed the GVWR, therefore if your hitch’s GTWR is greater than the GVWR it should have sufficient towing capacity. Before you hit the road, weigh your packed 5th wheel on a truck scale to verify the weight is under the GVWR.

Tongue weight (also referred to as hitch weight or pin weight) is the amount of weight your trailer puts on your tow vehicle through the hitch. To get an accurate tongue weight the trailer must be weighed on a scale, which likely isn’t possible before you purchase a hitch.

As a general rule of thumb, the tongue weight is approximately 20% of the total trailer or fifth wheel weight. When purchasing a 5th wheel hitch, make sure the tongue weight rating is higher than 20 percent of your camper’s GVWR.

Truck Bed Length

The length of your pickup truck’s bed is another important consideration when selecting the best 5th wheel hitch. The shorter the truck bed, the less clearance between the truck and the trailer.

The less clearance there is, the more likely you are to have contact between the truck and the 5th wheel, especially when negotiating tight turns. Therefore, 5th wheel owners with a short truck bed, should consider a sliding hitch.

Sliding hitches can be manually or automatically adjusted when making tight turns to provide additional clearance and prevent damage to your truck.

5th Wheel and Truck Usage

The final consideration when selecting a 5th wheel hitch is your usage of your pickup truck and RV. Some 5th wheel hitches are removable, while others are permanently installed in the bed.

If you are an infrequent camper or regularly use your pickup truck to haul other cargo, you definitely want a removable hitch. On the other hand, if you are a full time RVer who doesn’t have other hauling needs, a permanently installed hitch may be a good option.

The Best 5th Wheel Hitches

Andersen hitches are the best 5th wheel hitches because they have a high towing capacity, but are lightweight and easy to remove from the truck bed when not in use.

Andersen Ultimate Connection Rail Mount Hitch

When we first purchased our 5th wheel RV, we researched all the hitches on the market. We quickly determined the Andersen Rail Mount 5th Wheel Hitch was the best option for a variety of reasons.

First of all, the hitch’s 20,000 pound GTWR and 4,500 pound tongue weight is plenty of towing capacity for all but the largest 5th wheels. For reference, our 34-foot long 5th wheel has a GVWR of 13,995 pounds.

The hitch height can also be adjusted to make sure your 5th wheel is level when towing. The height can be adjusted to three different positions.

Our favorite thing about the Andersen 5th wheel hitch is the ability to take it in and out of the truck in minutes. Weighing just 40 pounds, one person can easily remove or re-install the hitch when the pickup bed is needed for other tasks.

Another great feature of Andersen hitches is the greaseless coupler. Since no grease is required, you won’t have to get filthy hooking up your fifth wheel.

The rail mount Andersen hitch is easily installed in any brand of truck with standard industry rails. All Andersen hitches are made in the USA and come with a money back warranty.

Andersen Ultimate Connection Gooseneck Mount Hitch

The Andersen Ultimate Connection Gooseneck Mount Hitch has all the benefits of the brand’s rail mount hitch, but is installed using a different method.

Instead of installing the hitch onto the rails, the Ultimate Connection hitch fits over any standard gooseneck hitch. Plus, this version is even lighter at just 35 pounds.

Andersen Ultimate Connection Toolbox Hitch

Another 35 pound hitch from Andersen with all the same great features, this version is specifically designed for trucks with a toolbox. The toolbox model hitch also has a higher GTWR at 24,000 pounds.

Click here to use Andersen’s tool to quickly identify which version of the hitch is best for your pickup truck and 5th wheel.

Other Great 5th Wheel Hitches

If the Andersen hitches do not meet your needs, check out our runners-up for the best 5th wheel hitches.

B&W Companion Hitches

Another great 5th wheel hitch option6 Absolute Best 5th Wheel Hitches (2024 Guide) - Travels with Ted (8) is the B&W Companion Hitch. Like the Andersen hitches, the B&W has a 20,000 total towing capacity. However, at 70 pounds this hitch is heavier and harder to maneuver in and out of the truck bed.

One of the main benefits of the B&W Companion Hitch is the fully articulating coupler head that allows front to back and side to side pivoting. This feature makes for a smoother ride, especially on uneven roads.

B&W Companion Slider 5th Wheel Hitch

If you need a sliding 5th wheel hitch, the B&W Companion Slider is one of the best 5th wheel hitches available. Like the standard B&W hitch, the slider has a 20,000 pound towing capacity and a fully articulating head.

The downside of the sliding hitch is the weight. The hitch weighs a whopping 287 pounds, so it will require significant effort to install and remove from the truck bed.

CURT 16115 E16 5th Wheel Hitch

Priced at less than $350, the CURT E16 5th wheel hitch is one of the best value hitches available.

The hitch is rated for 16,000 total pounds and a 4,000 pound hitch weight. The hitch itself weighs 95 pounds, and can be installed on any industry standard 5th wheel base rails.

One great feature of the CURT hitch is a dual-pivot head with up to 10 degrees of lateral movement to promote smooth, stable towing. The hitch also features automatic locking on the coupler and an anti-rattle skid plate.

Fifth Wheel Hitch Maintenance

6 Absolute Best 5th Wheel Hitches (2024 Guide) - Travels with Ted (11)

Like most RV parts and accessories, 5th wheel hitches should be visually inspected on a regular basis. Check the hitch for damage or rust, and replace any damaged parts.

Many fifth wheel hitches also require regular lubrication of moving parts. Refer to your 5th wheel hitch’s owner’s manual to see exactly where lubrication is required and what type of grease should be used.

Thanks for reading our complete guide to the best 5th wheel hitches. We hope you found the perfect hitch to tow your 5th wheel RV.

If you are still shopping for the perfect 5th wheel, check out some of our favorite options:

  • Best Front Living 5th Wheels
  • Best Front Kitchen 5th Wheels
  • Best Small 5th Wheels
  • Best 5th Wheels with Sleeping Lofts

Happy Camping!

6 Absolute Best 5th Wheel Hitches (2024 Guide) - Travels with Ted (12)

Christina Pate

Christina Pate is a seasoned full-time RVer who, along with her husband Justin, has journeyed across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Drawing from her extensive travels, RV repairs and RV renovations, she founded Travels with Ted to guide and inspire fellow RV enthusiasts. Christina is also the co-author of The Owner’s Guide to RV Maintenance and the creator of My RV Log Book.


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6 Absolute Best 5th Wheel Hitches (2024 Guide) - Travels with Ted (2025)

FAQs

Who makes the nicest fifth wheel camper? ›

The Luxe Elite Fifth Wheels are a class of their own with industry-leading construction, residential appliances, and luxurious modern conveniences all geared toward true full time living. Below are our floorplans for the Luxe Elite Fifth Wheels series; The Best Constructed Luxury Fifth Wheel.

What is the best size 5th wheel for full time living? ›

The best 5th wheel for full time living is a trailer that is less than 36 feet long. Longer trailers are harder to manage, and some regions have regulations about trailers over 36 feet. A 36-foot trailer is also easier to haul with a 3/4-ton truck. For height, a trailer less than 13 feet, 6 inches is recommended.

What is the best 5th wheel slider hitch? ›

The CURT A30™ 5th wheel hitch has the best build compared to other options.

Is it better to pull a fifth wheel or travel trailer? ›

A travel trailer is harder to tow, but if you're moving your RV somewhere to park permanently, you don't need the enhanced towability you'd pay for in a fifth wheel. If you're not setting up camp regularly, you also don't need a fifth wheel's fancy (and costly) jack and leveling systems.

What RV brand is the most reliable? ›

Top Five Most Reliable Class A RV Manufacturers
  1. Winnebago. Winnebago Industries has a rich history and a solid reputation as one of the leading manufacturers in the RV industry. ...
  2. Tiffin Motorhomes. ...
  3. Newmar. ...
  4. Thor Motor Coach. ...
  5. Fleetwood RV.

Who makes the top of the line RV? ›

Leading Luxury Motorhome Brands
  • Courtesy of Newmar Corp.
  • Courtesy of Tiffin Motorhomes.
  • Courtesy of Thor Motor Coach.
  • Courtesy of Storyteller Overland.
  • Courtesy of GrandDesignRV.
  • Courtesy of Forest River Inc.
  • Courtesy of Pebble Life.
  • Courtesy of Lightship RV.
Aug 9, 2024

What is one disadvantage of the fifth wheel hitch? ›

Fifth wheel hitches are more difficult to move in and out of the truck bed. They are also relatively more expensive.

What brand is the best trailer hitch? ›

What Is The Best Trailer Hitch?
Brand/ModelCostAward
Curt Fusion Trailer Hitch Mount$30Best Trailer Hitch
Reese Towpower Drop Standard Class III Starter Kit$30Best Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
MaxxHaul Triple Ball Mount$25Best Multi-Ball Hitch
Towever Tri-Ball Mount$35Best Hook
1 more row

Is PullRite better than B&W companion? ›

The market keeps trending toward a worthy competitor in the Companion hitch by B&W, but when you take an honest look into both and compare apples-to-apples, PullRite still comes out on top. It's lighter, carries a higher weight rating and is designed to prevent excessive damage to your bed!

Can a 1500 truck pull a 5th wheel camper? ›

The type of truck you need will depend on the size of the trailer you decide to bring home. A smaller sized 5th wheel trailer towing requirements allow customers to choose half-ton trucks such as the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado 1500.

Which is stronger, a 5th wheel or a gooseneck? ›

Gooseneck hitches can pull more than 30,000 pounds, at least 3,000 pounds more than the best fifth wheel hitch. The ball hitch and safety-chain anchors take up very little space in the bed and are easy to install and remove. They're also relatively light.

What is a luxury fifth wheel? ›

What is a luxury fifth wheel camper? This type of camper is an RV that has a specialty 5th wheel hitch and rich interior amenities. A fifth wheel hitch requires a truck to connect to, but provides more stable towing and turning than a typical travel trailer.

What is the best name brand camper to buy? ›

There are several reputable manufacturers that create the best travel trailers, including the following:
  • #1: Airstream Travel Trailers. Price Range. ...
  • #2: Oliver Travel Trailers. Price Range. ...
  • #3: Keystone Montana. Price Range. ...
  • #4: Lance Camper. ...
  • #5: Opus Camper. ...
  • #1: Towing Capacity. ...
  • #2: Trailer Payload. ...
  • #3: Water Consumption.

Who makes the best full time RV? ›

We'll walk you through some of the best RVs for full-time living.
  • Forest River Alpha Wolf 30RDB-L.
  • Casita Spirit 17-foot Deluxe.
  • Jayco Redhawk 31F.
  • Airstream Classic 30RB.
  • Grand Design Reflection 312BHTS.

Are fifth wheels better built than travel trailers? ›

Besides the ceiling height, fifth wheels tend to be longer and wider than travel trailers. They offer the most bang for your buck. Fifth wheels tend to have more room because of slides on opposing sides that make the space bigger. The master bedroom space also tends to be larger because of a slide.

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