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Old 06-01-2009, 03:35 PM   #1
PackerFan
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Question On 5th Wheel Hitches

I am looking at replacing my current 5th wheel hitch (Reese 14,000 lb.) with a new one. I have been looking at a Carter, 16,000 lb. and a Husky, 15,000 lb.

Anyone ever hear of these brands and if so what are you comments?

The Carter is a lot cheaper then the Husky, which is also a major point I have to consider! One dealer told me that my current hitch, the Reese, will not work in my new truck (2009 Dodge, 3500) because they made the sides of the bed taller in the new trucks. I went and measured my old truck bed (1999 Dodge, 2500) and the new truck and I only found a 1/2 inch difference in height from the floor of the bed to the top of the sides between the two of them. Not sure if he is pulling leg and just wants to sell a new higher priced hitch or what.

Any help or advice on this would be greatly appriciated.
Thanks, Scott
 
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Old 06-01-2009, 03:43 PM   #2
rames14
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I would contact Reese unless you are unhappy with your current hitch. I believe that 1/2" would not be unusable. Good luck. I have not heard of the other two brands.
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Old 06-02-2009, 04:15 AM   #3
BB_TX
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by PackerFan

......The Carter is a lot cheaper then the Husky, which is also a major point I have to consider! .......
Thanks, Scott
Don't go cheap just to save money on something that important unless you can verify that it is a very good hitch.
Never heard of the Carter either.
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Old 06-02-2009, 07:01 AM   #4
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I had the reese slider hitch in my truck witch was stolen. In the new truck I had a Husky installed. Both work/worked well but I think I prefer the husky due to it's operation of the slider. With the Reese you locked in with the lever but often the slider wasn't in the exact position to receive the lock. The Husky is spring loaded so when you operate the slide you have a visual that it is locked into the tow or manuver position. Besides that feature I see no difference in the two hitches. I believe the Husky was a little less expensive.
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Old 06-02-2009, 08:46 AM   #5
stiles watson
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If you are addressing the needs of a long box truck, you don't need a slider. I had a husky on my previous truck and it performed well. Unless your current hitch is adjusted to the maximum position, It could be adjusted taller to handle any changes.
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Old 06-02-2009, 01:39 PM   #6
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Pull-rite makes a very good hitch, the locking mechanism locks completely around the kingpin. Trail-air is also very good (a little pricey), takes the bounce and frame shock out of 5W towing. Reese 16K is a good ol standby, used quite a lot. Don't just look at price, Kerry
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Old 06-02-2009, 03:36 PM   #7
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I have a Reese 15k hitch. I like the way the slide bar traps the 5ver pin in there so I know it's locked. The thing I wonder about is it heavy enough for my camper? I think it's max weight is 14,200ish. I have heard the campers weigh more than they say they do on the sticker. I like the how the Companion hitch only has the one hole without those rails in the bed. My truck already has a gooseneck ball in the bed that is welded to the frame. Will the Companion work with an existing ball?
This is kind of hijacking the thread but I should have thought ahead and bought a heavier hitch. Something for PackerFan to think about.
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Old 06-02-2009, 03:37 PM   #8
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Just my opinion but a lot depends on how much traveling you're going to do. Since we are full time and travel coast to coast, the roads being in all kinds of shape, we elected to go with TrailerSaver hitch which provides an air ride. Costs a lot but you get what you pay for and since I've now been saddled with having had back surgery, I'm even more glad that we bought it.

Orv
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Old 06-02-2009, 04:20 PM   #9
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It sets in the campground most of the time. We are going on our first camping vacation (about 700 mile round trip) with it next week. Then it's back to the campground.
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Old 06-02-2009, 04:42 PM   #10
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Correction on my original post.

The hitch is not called a Carter, it is a Curt brand, 16,000 lb. model. Sorry if this caused any confusion.

Anyone hear of a Curt 5th wheel hitch before?
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Old 06-02-2009, 05:02 PM   #11
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Curt, Strange that you mention Curt Hitch. I was at the fair grounds in Goshen last week and some guy with a 3500 pulling a Ceder ^$@*$(@ unit had one in his truck. He never spoke of any problems and said Daves Hitch in Elkhart put it in. Side note here, i think they weld the hitch rails under the body directly to the frame.
Anyways, i use a Husky 16K and it works great. Husky maked the frame rails for a 2008 3500 that are direct bolt on, not any welding to the frame.

Randy
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Old 06-03-2009, 04:36 AM   #12
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The companion hitch only works with the B&W turn over ball. If the ball you have is wielded to your frame it won't work with the Companion. Kerry
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Old 06-03-2009, 04:40 AM   #13
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Thank you Kerry. That is what I was afraid of.
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Old 06-03-2009, 09:03 AM   #14
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I have a 16k Husky, made by RBW. It has the sliding locking bar rather than the jaws. I like it, no doubt when I'm hooked up, and it comes apart in two places so it can easily be lifted out of the truck.
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Old 06-07-2009, 06:45 PM   #15
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I hunted around for a modular/user friendly(to me) setup that wasn't gonna empty my savings.... I went over the Net ordered it shipped to a specific location in the metroplex(lowered the cost with a pickup at a connected warehouse of theirs....)

putnam Firehawk II 23K setup. 5th sits on top of the GN ball with a 360 bushing of minor wabble-ablity. their website has a nice exploded view of it about 50% down the viewing page.

Side note When we upgrade to a newer TV I'm planing on going the Take3 route and getting the slider rails setup. take3 trailers in south Texas google them if ya wish... my geeky-side likes the boltup setup for the fords.... I just wished I'd found out about Take3 before I'd ordered the hitch from putnam.....(sigh) lesson learned eh?
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Old 06-08-2009, 06:45 AM   #16
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I use a B&W turn over ball and companion. It takes me about four min. to completely remove the bed side of the hitch and it leaves me with a smooth floor. I also have the option of pulling a goose neck trailer with no modification just by turning the hitch ball over. Super unit made in USA and is a bolt on under frame mount. Requires only drilling one hole in the bed.
I have about 4000 miles towing with it and no problems and as I said the empty bed when not in use is great not even the hook up rails as with most units.
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Old 06-09-2009, 04:40 PM   #17
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We have a 2003 2880 and bought a Curt hitch when we got our tana in 2007. There was a lot of movement between the king pin and the hitch, so I contacted them. They are located in Eau Claire WI, so we drove to the plant and they measured the jaw and found it was out of spec in its closing. They actually replaced the hitch and measured it to be sure it had clearance that was within spec. They were very nice and took care of the issue quickly. That said, we have tried to use the slider a couple of weeks ago and actually had to drop the trailor, move the slider and rehook, before we could back into our back driveway. Not too convienent. DH is a big guy and he could not get the slider mechanism to properly release. We tried moving forward and back, but couldn't get it to move. We haven't contacted them since we first worked with them, so I don't know if they would have any fix for the slider not properly releasing. I'm kind of wishing we had bought an autoslider.I know they are a lot of money, but if anything ever happened to DH there is no way I'd be able to get that hitch to slide. Judi
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Old 06-10-2009, 05:52 PM   #18
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Can't seak for the Curt but we have had both the Reese and Huysky sliders. Never had a problem sliding either one while hooked up to the truck. Can't imagine Curt would be designed any different. I suggest contacting them and keep us on the forum posted with the outcome.
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Old 06-11-2009, 10:01 AM   #19
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I am on my second B & W turnover ball hitch (only because I switched trucks) I was able to keep the fifth wheel companion portion. We have a 2006 344RTS Mountaineer and have not had any problems. I also pull a 36'goose neck and haul equipment in the truck bed and the B & W system allows me to do all of this with no interferences and minutes to adapt. As mentioned before made in the US. Hope this helps.
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