Fifth Wheel Hitch Install

Which fifth wheel hitch are member using? I see Reese makes a Tundra specific kit that requires minimal drilling. Are there any other options?

Also anyone using the Crosswing fifth wheel hitch? I’m leaning towards it because it’s light at only 60lbs and will be easy to move out of the bed and help with payload.

 

So Dave… whatcha doing?

 

I use this one, the rail mount option. I love it. You attach the red part to your kingpin then you have a ball connection which ends all the clunking when starting and stopping. It weighs in at 40 lbs.

https://andersenhitches.com/product/ultimate-connection/

 

I was thinking of that one but rather have the steel than the aluminum. I also like that with the Crosswing you can back into the hitch much like a traditional fifth wheel so it makes it a little easier to hitch up.

 

My buddy uses this in his F250

 

The only part that is aluminum is the ball itself, I would imagine you could change it to a steel one. It is a bit different to hook up though. Do you have rails already installed?

 

Shh, it’s a secret. I’ll post up after I pick it up. I don’t want to derail the thread

 

I’m thinking I shouldn’t be that concerned over the material that the hitch is made from. Anderson has a good reputation on reliability and warranty. Reading a few complaints about the Anderson, most did not like that you have to line up a ball front to back and side to side. The trailer has to be raised then lowered to get down on the ball where a traditional fifth wheel hitch you don’t have to raise the RV as much and just back it in and lock in place. The Crosswing is similar. Just raise the RV a touch and back in until contact then set the RV down and slide the lock pin in. The other two complaints I’ve read was that you have to find a spot for the handle release leaver and every once in a while you can’t release the ball with the handle and you have to raise and lower for it to release.

I haven’t installed my rails yet. Just looking for a kit now. I was thinking the Rease rail kit for the Tundra because it seemed like the easier kit to install. What rails did you go with?

BTW I’m familiar with your set up and my pin weight is very similar to yours.

 

Reese rails and I used some custom Tundra mounting brackets I purchased on etrailer. As far as hooking up it's more about being within an inch or so front to back side to side isn't really any different and the part that installs on the kingpin has a funnel to help with accuracy. The Anderson can also be flipped in either direction to help with getting the weight more over the axle. I've got the 6.5' box and the ball sits in front of the axle and I can still turn pretty much as sharp as I want but I guess the trailer front factors into that as well. For what's worth I haven't run into any issues with hooking or unhooking, at least not yet.

https://www.etrailer.com/Fifth-Whee...undra/2019/RP50084-58.html?vehicleid=20198735

PS: I actually think I purchased that through Amazon.com.

$435 Reese 50084-58 Reese Custom Fifth Wheel Brackets w/10-Bolt Rail Kits

https://www.amazon.com/Reese-50084-...eese+rails+and+custom+brackets,aps,162&sr=8-2

 

Thanks for the info. I never thought about the ability reversing the platform to get some weight forward.
How was the install of the Reese rail kit? Did you install air bags? Are you using a 7way extension to hook up into the bed or are you just connecting to the bumper? I was worried about the harness rubbing the tail gate paint off.
Sorry for all the questions but I’m loading up my shopping cart. It’s prime deal day.

 

Well I did manage to get both brackets and rails installed how easy it was you'll have to ask my knuckles.

I did miscalculate a couple pilot holes and had to ream out a hole or two but all in all not to bad. The bolts that hold the rails down I did have to flip a couple and tighten from the top, I think they actually showed flipping two but I did four as I was having an issue turning the wrench from underneath. When you tighten down on the rails the cast inserts they give aren't quite the right size need to be bit thicker. I ended up getting some metal pieces cut at a machine shop and just painted them black. Now it's possible a different year truck they might work but just be aware.

I do have Firestone air bags and run 28 lbs in them, sits nice and level that way. I just connect to the bumper, I was concerned about rubbing but seems fine I use a bungy to keep it pulled ahead so maybe that helps.

 

Thanks for the info. I’ve added the airbags to the shopping cart.

 

Well I went with the Pullrite 2400 hitch. Basically it’s an Anderson hitch upside down and made of steel. I liked that the locking mechanism is located on the hitch and not on the king pin adaptor. Amazon.ca have these on sale at an amazing price. It was half the cost of the Anderson and Curt.

 

Purchased the new fifth wheel over the weekend. They ordered it and finally arrived. It’s a Grand Design 22RK. Pin weight is 1,095 empty and unloaded weight is just under 7K and only 27’ long.

Best picture I have.

 

I'm not a 5th wheel guy. But I've come across this video which kinda amazed me. I can't imagine myself for
any reason thinking this aluminum structure would stand the test of time. It's an above mentioned Anderson unit.

COMPLETE HITCH FAILURE while Towing a Fifth Wheel RV! Andersen Ultimate Fifth Wheel Hitch

 

I’ve watched that video before. It was a rare failure and Anderson has since redesigned their design. I would trust the new design but I did choose the Pullrite because of the steel construction.

 

You can find the same video for a steel B&W fifth wheel hitch. Everything has a failure point.

As for aluminum strength, it’s all in the alloy and application. I’ve used and abused an Andersen RapidHitch for years without issue. My 7x16 enclosed trailer is aluminum frame and it gets loaded to the max on occasion.

Also @Ruggybuggy because people will bring it up at some point… I scaled my bone stock 4wd double cab with me in it and a full 38 gallon tank, aluminum tool box (empty) and some junk for the dump: 5500 lbs. Again - me in it and a full 38 gallons.

 

That’s a pretty light weight Tundra. My 2016 DC 4X4 with just some aluminum side steps, hard tonneau cover (about 80lbs), and full tank cones in at 5,900lbs. My 2020 DC 4x4 with the same tonneau was around 6,100lbs.

 

I was honesty surprised, but not too surprised. Having scaled my ‘13 DC with lots of stuff in it always came up lighter than I expected.

Anyways, back to your regular scheduled programming… let us know how you like the pullrite.

 

I’ll do a review on it and the fifth wheel in the spring. The RV is in storage at the dealership and won’t be out until the end of April.

 

Call me crazy but fifth wheel and half ton definitely do not belong in the same sentence.

 

Our “half ton” tundras have more towing and payload capacity than my old 94 Chevy 3/4 ton camper special. So..

 

Towing yes, payload, not so much. Not even close.

 

Towing on that truck was 7700 lbs and payload was 1600 lbs. it was an extended can 6.5’ box, 6 lug 3/4 ton with a 9.5” semi floating 14 bolt. Dual battery, dual alternator, taco lights, and sold to haul a camper in the bed. Much better than the ‘89 Chevy half ton that had a whopping 540 lbs payload…

As noted above from the scale, my truck bone stock with me, a full tank of gas, a few small accessories, and some junk in the trunk weighed in at 5500 lbs. so, ya, my truck to my truck, the tundra has it beat. Note I didn’t say every and all 3/4 ton trucks, and I cherry picked a real example of my own vehicles to contrast to the silly ‘you need a 3/4 ton’ blanket statement. If the number work the numbers work.

 

Numbers might work on paper but real world it’s just not safe. Especially when you consider the wind effects on the nose and the sides if there is any crosswind at all. There is just not enough truck weight to be in control when nature takes over. If you’re comfortable with it, go for it. I definitely would not. I know there are a lot of campers advertising as half ton capable but I have seen personally that advertised weights are never accurate on campers

 

94 Chevy 3/4 tons had 6000# towing and 2900# max payload. I’m sure some models came in lower based on equipment though.

 

The fifth wheel I bought has a pin weight of 1,090lbs empty and a total length of 27’. I expect a pin weight around 1,300lbs loaded. The fifth wheel will weight in around 8,500lbs loaded. My Tundra’s payload sticker is 1330lbs. Yes I’m going to be over payload by around 500lbs when the truck is loaded. I’ve added airbags, rear sway bar and 10ply tires to handle the weight which I realize does nothing to increase my payload number but does help with controlling the extra weight. If I had bought a travel trailer that was 27-28’ long with a similar weight of 8,500lbs loaded I would have a tongue weight of around 850lbs (10% tongue). I could be under my max payload on my Tundra. A fifth wheel trailer will always pull better than a comparable sized traveler trailer. In my example, the TT with a 850lb tongue weight will be much more susceptible to sway and the effects of cross wind than the same comparable fifth wheel with a pin weight of 1,300lbs. The fact is fifth wheel do not sway and handle better. Also a same length fifth wheel will have a shorter overall length and they are also easier to maneuver and back up.
I regularly carry 2,000lbs of wood stove pellets in the back of my Tundra and the truck handled the weight without issue so I have no concern about a 1,300lb pin weight.

 

Congrats on the new setup, looks great.

 

I love the Reflection 100/150 series. We looked hard at the 27BH for all of the reasons you already stated. I don't have any experience with trailers of this size, and the double over double isn't ideal for us, so we'll be getting a 35' bumper pull this spring with quad bunks. Hoping to fight sway with the 165" wheelbase and ProPride WDH. The #s work out better with a bumper pull but I still wish we were getting a fifth wheel.

Definitely update with how the truck handles.

 

The ProPride hitch should eliminate a lot of the sway from cross winds because of the design it eliminates the “pivot point”. I think you will still feel some sway simply because of the 35’ length.