Hitch Decision

[Baldicon]

Well, I have my truck (2017 F350 dually) and have pretty much decided which 5th wheel we will order (Montana 3121RL or Solitude 310-GK).But now comes the hard part, deciding on which hitch to buy.I am down to two choices.Hitch weight and cab clearance is not a factor.
Choice “A” is a B&W Companion to fit the factory puck system and a Trailair Flex Air Pin Box. From e-trailer the combination will be $2018.
Choice “B” is a Hensley TrailerSaver BD3 hitch plus the Ford factory hitch adapter which will cost $2695 plus $110 shipping for total of $2805. Is the extra cost worth it?
If anyone out there has experience with either setup, please let me know how you like it. And if anyone else has any insight or alternative suggestions, please pass them to me too.
Or if you just want to chatt about the 5th wheels on our short list, I’m good with that too.
Thanks in advance.

[richfaa]

We went from a Reese 16K to the trailersaver BD3 .We have a older Ford so did not need any adapter. The BD3 is a superior hitch and smoothed out the ride considerable.

[RoadRunnerTR21]

We have the 3121RL and the B&W Companion hitch. Of all the hitches I have had, the B&W is by far the best IMHO.

[Baldicon]

Originally Posted by richfaa

We went from a Reese 16K to the trailersaver BD3 .We have a older Ford so did not need any adapter. The BD3 is a superior hitch and smoothed out the ride considerable.

So in your opinion it's worth the money? In my case, since I'm starting from scratch, the BD3 will cost me $800 over my other option. Do you have a standard pin box, or one that reduces chucking (MOR/ryde, TrailAir Rotoflex, etc)? Or is one even needed with the BD3?

Thanks

[Baldicon]

Originally Posted by RoadRunnerTR21

We have the 3121RL and the B&W Companion hitch. Of all the hitches I have had, the B&W is by far the best IMHO.

How do you like the 3121RL? It's currently sitting in first place. It has most of the features we want in the size that I wanted to stay with.

Thanks

[RoadRunnerTR21]

We really like it. It has ALL the features we wanted and the size is perfect for our needs. Our motto is "cocktails for 10, sleeps 2".

[Baldicon]

Originally Posted by RoadRunnerTR21

We really like it. It has ALL the features we wanted and the size is perfect for our needs. Our motto is "cocktails for 10, sleeps 2".

I like it! 5 cocktails each!

[masterdrago]

Here's my take. Keep in mind, I'm new to pulling a 15,000# 5r. We went with the Ram 3500 dully with all the towing add-ons (hitch prep, Aisin tranny, 3.73 gear, air suspension, 6.7 Cummins, etc.). After weeks of study went with the B&W Companion 25K hitch for $1050 at an obscure tire dealer in Madisonville, Texas. It took me about 1.5 hrs to get it installed and adjusted. I'm 65 years old and that new tailgate is higher up than my '09 F250 was. Our new Montana 3791RD came with a Trail-Aire RotoFlex pin box. This configuration pulls and handles like I could not imagine. I see no reason to spend any extra $$ over the hitch alone.

[RoadRunnerTR21]

I know this has nothing to do with hitches but Madisonville, Texas is the home of Texas Burger.

[masterdrago]

Originally Posted by Baldicon

If anyone out there has experience with either setup, please let me know how you like it. And if anyone else has any insight or alternative suggestions, please pass them to me too.
Or if you just want to chatt about the 5th wheels on our short list, I’m good with that too.
Thanks in advance.

I like both your choices. We ended up with the Montana for both price over the Solitude ($12K) and the Sailun tires instead of the Westlakes. One of the things we (or I) liked about yours is the ability to get into the refer when slides are in. Cannot do that with ours. No matter which you pick, you'll just love it. We spent 10 months looking at 5 brands.

[mhs4771]

You might want to look into a Comfort Ride hitch, similar to an Air Ride hitch but uses a different method of smoothing out the ride with worrying about adding air.
Changed out my old Reese and TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin for a Comfort Ride 24K hitch and 24K Mor/ryde Pin a couple of years ago and couldn't be happier.
We are pulling real heavy, like 19.5K heavy.

[masterdrago]

Originally Posted by RoadRunnerTR21

I know this has nothing to do with hitches but Madisonville, Texas is the home of Texas Burger.

I've partaken of their cuisine many times in my travels as a Sears appliance repair guy.

In case anyone wants to know, the tire dealer is
Midway Tire

301 Crossroads

Madisonville, Texas, 77864

936-348-3934

[masterdrago]

Originally Posted by RoadRunnerTR21

I know this has nothing to do with hitches but Madisonville, Texas is the home of Texas Burger.

Trinidad, Tx. Nice spot in Texas! We are going back to Canton in a few. Will roll right past Y'all. Last time we went, we stayed in a VRBO cabin and had dinner at Four Winds Steakhouse in Wills Point! Now that's a STEAKHOUSE! We will be looking for a good place to stay in the new 5r. Any suggestions? Is this getting OT or what? Just to get it back on, I see you have the same setup as us. I ended up using the most low and forward position of the 12 combinations from advise of Cummins12V98. Seems to work well but having some thoughts on backing it in with 2" in front of axle. Not anything like my 5,000# boat on the ball hitch. Any thoughts?

[RoadRunnerTR21]

My hitch is mounted on the second from the bottom hole and in the back location. This was advice from the dealer in Athens. They haul horses and RV's all over the country and are very experienced at towing. The two sales guys I dealt with also have 5th wheels. The rig sets perfectly level when attached to the truck and there is a ton of clearance between the bed and front cap.

Though we have never stayed in Canton (30 minutes from the SB house) my DW says Mill Creek Ranch is very nice. Just don't go over the weekend before the first Monday of the month. The place will be a zoo because they have first Monday trade days and the place will be packed with vendors. There are other RV parks in the area as well that you can look up online.

[Baldicon]

Originally Posted by masterdrago

I like both your choices. We ended up with the Montana for both price over the Solitude ($12K) and the Sailun tires instead of the Westlakes. One of the things we (or I) liked about yours is the ability to get into the refer when slides are in. Cannot do that with ours. No matter which you pick, you'll just love it. We spent 10 months looking at 5 brands.

This will be our first 5th wheel, so I've taken my time looking. Did the same before ordering the truck. Drives my wife crazy.

[Baldicon]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

You might want to look into a Comfort Ride hitch, similar to an Air Ride hitch but uses a different method of smoothing out the ride with worrying about adding air.
Changed out my old Reese and TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin for a Comfort Ride 24K hitch and 24K Mor/ryde Pin a couple of years ago and couldn't be happier.
We are pulling real heavy, like 19.5K heavy.

Will definitely take a look.

Thanks

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by masterdrago

Trinidad, Tx. Nice spot in Texas! We are going back to Canton in a few. Will roll right past Y'all. Last time we went, we stayed in a VRBO cabin and had dinner at Four Winds Steakhouse in Wills Point! Now that's a STEAKHOUSE! We will be looking for a good place to stay in the new 5r. Any suggestions? Is this getting OT or what? Just to get it back on, I see you have the same setup as us. I ended up using the most low and forward position of the 12 combinations from advise of Cummins12V98. Seems to work well but having some thoughts on backing it in with 2" in front of axle. Not anything like my 5,000# boat on the ball hitch. Any thoughts?

I know we are getting way off of subject here and the forum police will be cracking down any second but. I would like to take the wife to Canton for the market at least once this year. Any suggestions on campgrounds in that area DURING First Mondays would be appreciated. Yeah I know you locals must hate the trade days.......don't shoot me. Start a new thread if you think the forum police will tag us.

[RoadRunnerTR21]

I'll start a new thread called RVing Canton, TX. Be on the look out for that new thread.

[masterdrago]

Originally Posted by RoadRunnerTR21

I'll start a new thread called RVing Canton, TX. Be on the look out for that new thread.

I'm packed and loaded. For that suggested RV park near Canton see https://millcreekrr.staging.wpengine...ging/rv-sites/
They are already booked until the Trade Days May 31- June 3.

[masterdrago]

Baldicon, you cannot go wrong with the RVK3300 by B&W. Ours for our Ram is built really tough and easy to get out and lock down for security.
http://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/prod...ion-ford-pucks