Need new hitch for the new tow vehicle

[Hippy223]

Just updated the truck with a 2020 F450 and need a new 5th wheel hitch. Want to go with a 25k or more since I have to buy a new one for the factory puck system. Looking for suggestions

Other question is how much trailer to bedside clearance is enough the new truck is 10inches taller than the old one.

[rohrmann]

You should have no less than six inches. You won't really know until you connect a loaded trailer to it so you can see how much squat you have. Unless you have an extremely heavy trailer, you might not get much squat, so not sure what can be done there, short of putting on a custom towing bed. You should also be aware that if the truck is that tall, this can cause your trailer to be over 13' 6".

[Last2Die]

Bed clearance to the bottom of the overhang on the 5th wheel, how much clearance ? 6inches..? Or more. I think I might need to raise my hitch...

[RMcNeal]

IMHO, you should have at least 6 inches clearance between the bed rails and the trailer as rohrmann said. That being said, you should also try to tow as level as possible, so the squat of the truck can really make a difference. Once hooked up, check for level and see what kind of squat the truck has when loaded. Also, if you tend to carry a lot of tools, firewood, etc. in the bed, try to load it like you would for travel to get a true feel for the load. Also, I use the B&W Companion hitch for the Ford puck system. It's a great hitch for my use, but I don't have anything to compare it to as this is the only one I have towed with.

[Theunz]

Squat don’t mean squatwhen it comes to bed rail clearance. The trailer and the truck bed are going maintain the same clearance wether you have 5 lbs on the pin or 5000lbs. If anything the tailgate top to camper bottom might increase minutely. I agree you need at least 6”. I have around 7 and there is one place we have been to twice that has a very tight hairpin turn in the campground that I have to drop my trailer wheels completely off the road on a fairly steep slope and I probably get within an half inch of hitting the bed rail. After the last time I decided that if we go there again I will back down the one way road instead of attempting that turn. It would be less stressful!

[Slow Hand]

You need to measure from the bottom of the overhang to the bottom of the pin box. I( just measured mine. i have the B&W 20,000 hitch. it sits 17 inches high from floor to top of the hitch plate. It is 2" down from the bed rail to the top of the hitch plate. I don't think a heavier hitch will be taller than what I have. From the bed to the top of the bed rails is 20 1/4" I have a 15. Just for comparison only. Yours may be different.

[Dam Worker]

I also needed to update my hitch to a puck system or buy an expensive adapter plate. I chose to go from my 18K hitch and upgrade to a 25K BW Companion. Both hitches had positive connection to the Kingpin although the old Reese had a tattletale button that also popped out which was nice along with the built in lube plate. I got the BW 25K because my truck has the capacity to tow more than the 18K that my Reese was rated for. You never know what the future will bring, like maybe a DRV.������
Sorry for having this at the end of the post. Congratulations on your new F450.
Happy and safe roads to you.

Tom Marty

[Hippy223]

Thanks for the info

[WMJourney]

All factory and manufacturer's suggest 6" of clearance. Anything more and I found that my rig doesn't sit level.
I recently installed an Andersen Ultimate Fifth Wheel Hitch. I absolutely love the hitch. It is easy to hook/unhook and towing is very quiet (no knocking/banging/sliding/etc). It's very much like having a gooseneck hitch. What you need to know before buying is that you will need the lockout kit if you have a Roto-Flex and since it is technically a ball hitch, you may want the safety chain kit as well in the event a DOT officer questions it. Best of all, it weighs 35lbs. It is great for my bad back. There are some horror stories about this hitch but I have not had any poor experience with it at all. IMHO, if you install it correctly and ensure it doesn't slide (use a torque wrench and anti-skid material), you won't have any issues.

2020 Montana 3931FB
2014 F350 6.7L Powerstroke 4x4 SRW with B&W turn ball gooseneck and Line-X Bedliner (helps to keep the hitch from slipping)

[mudrockatc]

Have to agree with WM Journey, bought the Anderson, and love it! So easy to get in and out of truck, loosen 3 bolts lift out the Anderson with one hand, pull out your goose ball and you have a full bed, takes about ten minutes, I also have Line-X spray in liner and was still getting a little rotation on the hitch going through the WV mountains with a lot of hair pin turns. Anderson sells a "rubber mat" that fits nicely under the hitch and that took care of it, person could also use a piece of mining belt or something, little cheaper, Have also heard a couple of horror stories about Anderson, and think if I was towing a large DRV or something I might think twice, but with my 16K Monty it does a great job!! My large local dealer sells almost nothing else at this point! At soon to be 74, my back really likes it!!

[Joe Hollars]

I just upgraded my tow vehicle also. I went with the B&W Companion with the puck connections. Very quite, heavy duty hitch. I have had the Curt 25000# and the Demco auto slider. I like the B&W better . JMHO.

[ejerni]

We went with an Anderson gooseneck. It ways 35# and can remove it when needed.

[CaptnJohn]

I've had Reese, B&W, Anderson, and back to a B&W. Friend has a Curt, an OK hitch IF an almost dead straight hookup. It is actually #4 on my list of
1 B&W
2 B&W
3 B&W
4 Curt.
Anderson is somewhere around 35 on that list. At least I got a few bucks at the recycle center as I'd not even have given it away. Some love them and I'm happy, just not for me!

[jetskier]

Try the Reese 20k Goosebox. No hitch other than the gooseball and chain loops to remove in the bed.

[432bartman]

I have the Curt gooseneck and running the Anderson Ultimate Hitch setup.....I love it.