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View Full Version : GN and 5er Hitches

blksmok
06-06-2008, 02:04 PM
What have you used and what did you like/dislike?
blksmok
06-06-2008, 02:19 PM
I currently have a Reese signature series. It comes in 18K or 24K. I've been extremely happy with my 18K. Nice sleek looking design. Can still use the bed while hitch is installed due to "bridge" design. Hitch comes completely out with no rails in bed. Light enough that you can handle it by yourself. Very nice!
Here's a pic of it.
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/dt/5wheel/30059.jpg
blksmok
06-06-2008, 05:22 PM
When I had my '05 shortbed, I had the superglide. That is an awesome hitch for a shortbed truck because it automatically slides the trailer away from the cab in a sharp turn. It's the only hitch I would have with a shortbed truck. When I went to the longbed, I sold it because I didn't need the slider anymore. The only downside of the superglide hitch was the weight. It's a very heavy hitch.
http://www.pullrite.com/images/18k_super_glide.jpg
swatkins
06-09-2008, 10:17 PM
I have owned three different ones in the last 4 years... I have the same reese signature series that you do now... I had a auto slider like yours before that :)

And before that I had this one... http://watkinstruck.blogspot.com/ It is no longer with us for obvious reasons ):h

Along with the 5th wheel hitch I have the gooseneck hitch that fits the under bed mounts the signature series uses... Nice and easy change overs and the hitches are first rate... I highly recommend them...
blksmok
06-09-2008, 10:59 PM
I've planned on getting that also, but haven't been able to justify it yet. (I don't have anything with a GN hitch) I know Rick wished I'd had one when he broke down about 200 miles from me. :D

We got him taken care of though... I have friends with big trucks. :D:thumb:
swatkins
06-09-2008, 11:13 PM
They are nice IF you have a need :) They run about 350.00

Life is really funny someimes. I am down to one trailer now, that I own , But I pull about 5 different ones all the time :) And they all have different hitches! I think I can hook to almost anything now ):h
RickDLance
06-09-2008, 11:36 PM
I run the B&W flipover gooseneck ball. I also have the companion for the travel trailer, even though our travel trailer never really travels.):h
swatkins
06-10-2008, 12:34 AM
Have to be careful of those type of goose neck converts Rick.... Most manufactures will not honor warranties if they figure out you used one... The 5ers lack the gusset plates the gooses have so the longer drop down to the ball acts just like a huge lever and puts too much force on the welds...

Might be a good thing your travel trailer does not travel too much ):h
RickDLance
06-10-2008, 12:37 AM
Ity's not really a convert.;)
rgullett83
06-19-2008, 05:20 PM
I run a B&W also
Rttoys
07-01-2008, 09:54 PM
B&W goose here too.:Handshake:
madmaxdmax
07-01-2008, 10:00 PM
I run a B&W also



I have one and NEVER use it - I don't even own a gooseneck...is it worth keeping or parting with ?? Possible trade for a nice aux fuel tank anyone ???:thumb:
Rttoys
07-02-2008, 07:57 AM
I use mine once maybe twice a year to haul our cattle trailer.....I'd say keep it, you never know when you might need it.:thumb:
jim87vette
07-03-2008, 05:19 PM
I currently have a Reese signature series. It comes in 18K or 24K. I've been extremely happy with my 18K. Nice sleek looking design. Can still use the bed while hitch is installed due to "bridge" design. Hitch comes completely out with no rails in bed. Light enough that you can handle it by yourself. Very nice!
Here's a pic of it.
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/dt/5wheel/30059.jpg


I have the 18k above and really like it.This is my first 5er so nothing to compare it with.Just still trying to get over the fact that if I do it wrong its not very forgiving to the bed rails lol:eek2:.
blksmok
07-03-2008, 05:48 PM
I have the 18k above and really like it.This is my first 5er so nothing to compare it with.Just still trying to get over the fact that if I do it wrong its not very forgiving to the bed rails lol:eek2:.

IIRC I think I suggested that hitch to you. :) It's a nice one.
jim87vette
07-03-2008, 07:21 PM
IIRC I think I suggested that hitch to you. :) It's a nice one.

Yes you did thanks.I just received the 12" lube plate they recommended for the pin box.Not sure I fully understand why(it says for proper weight distribution)but it kind of covers beyond some of the pin box area?Did you get the 12" lube plate for yours?
blksmok
07-04-2008, 01:35 AM
If you are talking about the teflon disk then yes. It kept slipping off the pin box while I was trying to couple up so I eventually gorilla glued it to the pin box. Been good ever since.
D.Camilleri
07-04-2008, 10:18 AM
Ok, I am ready to be flamed, but I have a gooseneck hitch in the bed of the truck, not a B&W, but a turn over ball that indexes in and locks. I have installed a gooseneck adapter on my 5er mainly because I don't like loosing the space in my bed and because I tend to go into some rough country and the gooseneck has better side to side movement. The gooseneck adapter does exert a lot of leverage on the hitch of the 5er, but I inspect the welds and plates on a regular basis and it seems to be holding up well. The B&W companion hitch is really a neat system because it attaches to the square receiver that the gooseneck ball goes in. I would like to build a similar system for mine, but it will be more complex.
madmaxdmax
09-05-2008, 11:17 PM
I have owned three different ones in the last 4 years... I have the same reese signature series that you do now... I had a auto slider like yours before that :)

And before that I had this one... http://watkinstruck.blogspot.com/ It is no longer with us for obvious reasons ):h

Along with the 5th wheel hitch I have the gooseneck hitch that fits the under bed mounts the signature series uses... Nice and easy change overs and the hitches are first rate... I highly recommend them...

GEEZ...that sucks...really. I would hate to have that happen. I take it that was from a cross-wind ??? A good friend of mine was not so lucky with his set-up. Basically a cross-wind caught him and totalled the trailer, rolled the truck and he was ejected. Everyone is fine now, but his wife and kids are very skeptical about getting another truck and trailer for camping trips. Some of the reason he flipped was going too fast. I would rather take longer to get there...just to get there without incident.
madmaxdmax
09-05-2008, 11:21 PM
Ok, I am ready to be flamed, but I have a gooseneck hitch in the bed of the truck, not a B&W, but a turn over ball that indexes in and locks. I have installed a gooseneck adapter on my 5er mainly because I don't like loosing the space in my bed and because I tend to go into some rough country and the gooseneck has better side to side movement. The gooseneck adapter does exert a lot of leverage on the hitch of the 5er, but I inspect the welds and plates on a regular basis and it seems to be holding up well. The B&W companion hitch is really a neat system because it attaches to the square receiver that the gooseneck ball goes in. I would like to build a similar system for mine, but it will be more complex.

I too have a goose-neck drop hitch in the bed and I have used a gooseneck to 5 er' adapter, kinda spooky IMO, but we had no choice and had to get my buddies 5 er' back home when his FERD took a dump. BTW, I also had a 15' bumper tow behind the 32' 5 er' . I will NEVER attempt that again. I am still pickin' the seat fibers outta my arse. Good thing we were 75 miles from home when it all took place.
D.Camilleri
11-19-2008, 01:56 PM
I ditched my gooseneck adapter for my 5er. I just didn't like the amount of flexing going on with the trailer frame. I made a set up similar to the b&w companion hitch to work with my blue ox hitch and it worked well for the few trips I used it on. Then I was elk hunting in the snow and while backing under the 5er to hook up, the trailer slid and fell off the blocks under the front stands and modified the bed rails of the truck. So after cashing the check from the insurance co. I bought a new flatbed and have modified my 5th wheel plate to work on the flat bed. A note, the fifth wheel made a huge difference in the way my trailer tows, especially since I sometimes tow a stock trailer with horses in it behind the 5er.
Newman
11-19-2008, 07:42 PM
B&W owner here. I have also borrowed a Companion to tow a 5er and it worked great. I would definitely buy another one.
OCDUNE
02-09-2009, 04:46 PM
Is there any type of 5th wheel hitch that is safer to use? It seems like the ones that have on big latch behind the kingpin would be more secure than the ones that have 2 separate jaws that come together. I have a reese with a 2 pare jaw and I am sure it is fine, just doesn't look as "safe" to me.