Maxing out fifth wheel hitch - Montana Owners Club

kozzy · 03-02-2016, 09:42 AM

OK, well, im on the fence about upgrading my hitch, so I figure maybe I can get some opinions. I just upgrade my 5er to a new Montana 40 foot , weighed it on the scale just under 14k. No full tanks, or food, or clothes, but everything else that I would normally take was on board. My current hitch is the Reese Kwick Slide 16K model. I normally never travel with full tanks, but it has happened. Im estimating that if I ever did, and was loaded for a trip, I would be probably within 500LBS of the max hitch capacity. So question is, do I upgrade to one with a bigger capacity? just to have some wiggle room, or do I need wiggle room if I am close to the max, or at tha max?

thoughts?

thanks

stengels · 03-02-2016, 09:54 AM

I'd upgrade to a 20K if you think you will ever be pulling with full gray and black tanks. Not sure why you would ever need to, unless you were moving to a nearby dump station. Having a full fresh tank wouldn't be detrimental, as the tank is toward the back and actually relieves some of the pin weight.

bigskyjimmy · 03-02-2016, 10:15 AM

From what I was told at a well known hitch company(Tork-lift) that installed my 16K hitch they so over engineered and have a built in "cushion" I am good to go with all 3 of my Monty's(7 years with the same hitch) and I have never had a problem and am more than comfortable with my 16K Valley, they could have made more money off me if they sold me a 18or20K hitch but they said no need ,that being said there is nothing wrong with going with a 18K or a 20K hitch for extra piece of mind and I will if I buy a heavier 5er or toy hauler than my current 2015,my friend has a 24K hitch for his SOB that is lighter than mine now THAT'S overkill

ALSO every 3 months or so check all the bolts grease the jaws etc..and it will last a long time

mlh · 03-02-2016, 10:26 AM

I would look at the tires. If it has tha standard ST tires they are much more likely to give trouble than your hitch. I have never herd of a hitch breaking, tires ST tires that is are a constant problem on this forum.
Lynwood

bigskyjimmy · 03-02-2016, 10:47 AM

You got that right!

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by mlh

I would look at the tires. If it has tha standard ST tires they are much more likely to give trouble than your hitch. I have never herd of a hitch breaking, tires ST tires that is are a constant problem on this forum.
Lynwood

1retired06 · 03-02-2016, 12:12 PM

Not quite that simple. Swapped out a 16k hitch last winter for a 24K. Used since 2002. With the 2015, felt the need to upgrade to heavier hitch, because of age of hitch and weight of new unit. During install of new hitch, installer found hitch head crack not visible from the top that was a disaster waiting to happen.

bigskyjimmy · 03-02-2016, 01:43 PM

it is that simple every 3 months or so(I'm a Little anal

) I pull the big pin and off comes the head and I inspect the Head and grease the pin and check all bolts,Jaws etc.. ,and if I found ANYTHING like a head crack etc.. I would replace it PRONTO,but I bet the majority of folks do not inspect their hitch often enough(at the least once a year),It is not hard to do it takes me all of about 20 min(on my Valley hitch anyway)and like I pointed out before a 24K hitch is WAY overkill on a Montana IMO (and Tork- Lifts opinion) but what the heck it is your cash and you were due for a new hitch after 13 years (that's pretty dang old) Maybee you are looking to buy a New Horizons 5er in the future and you are good to go

richfaa · 03-02-2016, 02:00 PM

We pulled two Montana's a 06 3400 and a 13 3402 with a drawtite 16 K hitch I figure @80 k miles combined. We had the hitch inspected and serviced at the fall rally every two years and never a defect or problem detected.

We just upgraded to a 18K Trailer saver BD3 hitch because I wanted to relieve the stress on the front of the Montana.

kozzy · 03-02-2016, 02:30 PM

Yeah I inspect the hitch before each use and service as needed. I'm within the limits but right at the limit. Just trying to decide to go with it or spend the grand on an upgrade. This hitch is only a year old so age is not a factor yet

1retired06 · 03-02-2016, 02:33 PM

[quote]Originally posted by bigskyjimmy

it is that simple every 3 months or so(I'm a Little anal

) I pull the big pin and off comes the head and I inspect the Head and grease the pin and check all bolts,Jaws etc.. ,and if I found ANYTHING like a head crack etc.. I would replace it PRONTO,but I bet the majority of folks do not inspect their hitch often enough(at the least once a year),It is not hard to do it takes me all of about 20 min(on my Valley hitch anyway)and like I pointed out before a 24K hitch is WAY overkill on a Montana IMO (and Tork- Lifts opinion) but what the heck it is your cash and you were due for a new hitch after 13 years (that's pretty dang old) Maybee you are looking to buy a New Horizons 5er in the future and you are good to go
[/quote

You are right, 13 years was pushing it after years of fulltiming and lots of travel. For an additional 75 bucks, plus up to 24k was worth it. And maybe a New Horizon is in my future, you never know.

bigskyjimmy · 03-02-2016, 03:42 PM

I would like to have a New Horizons in my future as well BUT then I would need a Semi to haul it AND a 24K Hitch....Oh well one can only dream

**DQDick** · 03-02-2016, 03:51 PM

I replaced my 15K Reese head with a 20K Reese head (Reese's own people suggested it since I wanted to move up). I'm not concerned about pulling the Monty, my concern is what happens in an accident. Someone runs the light on a highway intersection or crosses the center line, I've got enough worrying about what's coming in the front without also having to worry about what's coming in the back of the cab. Probably not an issue at all, but I feel better and that's all that counts.

bigskyjimmy · 03-02-2016, 03:53 PM

Save the 1K Kozzy,I'm more than likely hauling a little more than you(I'm a fulltimer)No Worries with your newer 16K hitch and save the cash for new tires or whatever IMO But like I said if you got the cash hanging around and if it makes ya feel better like Dick said get a 18 or 20K hitch

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by kozzy

Yeah I inspect the hitch before each use and service as needed. I'm within the limits but right at the limit. Just trying to decide to go with it or spend the grand on an upgrade. This hitch is only a year old so age is not a factor yet

sambam · 03-02-2016, 07:14 PM

When we bought our Montana, first 5th wheel, I knew nothing about hitches. Still don't. BUT, I do know where to go for advice. I mentioned on this forum which hitch I was looking at, and it was you guys who suggested getting something with a little more muscle. Even though a 16k was within my Montana's GVW, I went ahead and got the 20k and I'm glad I did since it provides more peace of mind in the event of a panic stop like Dick mentions. And, like Jimmy, I inspect all the parts and grease everything every fall when removing the hitch for winter, because, unlike Jimmy, we don't full-time....yet.

Artemus Gordon · 03-04-2016, 07:36 AM

I suspect you will greatly exceed 15,000 lbs without much problem, with stuff, water, etc. I believe in overkill. My Q24 Curt gives me lots of overkill !

GLS3950 · 03-04-2016, 07:49 AM

X2 Artemus Gordon on the curt Q24

bigskyjimmy · 03-04-2016, 09:59 AM

I don't care to spend 1K+ just for Overkill..that's just me, I got other things to spend the cash on like more traveling

Now Artemus if you would not mind bumming me $1000+ clams for a 24K hitch I would LOVE to do some overkill that would be cool

GLS3950 · 03-04-2016, 12:36 PM

Curt Q24 was about $10 more than the Q20 or around $430 from JC Whitney2 Months ago.

1retired06 · 03-04-2016, 02:18 PM

Our Curt 24K is a great hitch, like it far better than the Reese it replaced

Artemus Gordon · 03-04-2016, 03:06 PM

BigSkyJimmy I be glad to help you out with that hitch! Lol. Just need a few documents signed and a collateral agreement. Tax returns ...... Lol. I hear ya!

You may also like: