i am looking at purchasing a 28 ft 5er with an extended pin box, tow it with my CC SB dmax. I have been looking at a GN setup (either B&W or putnam) with a product on ebay (VR-1) GN with a 5 inch offset for additional clearance. I have seen the Pullrite superglide but will not spend the money for occasional RVing

What do most of you like to use as a setup ? I also want a "clear" bed when not towing. Is the ride any different with a GN vs 5th hitch ?

Thanks

marc

I'm not sure but, I've been told that a GN conversion on a 5th wheel camper is not very safe because, a 5th wheeler's chassis is not built as strong as a regular GN type trailer? If ya want a clear bed when ya take the 5th wheel plate out, a pullrite super
5th with the super rail brackets will do that.

http://www.pullrite.com/Super5th_MountingKits.html

If the trailer has a extended pin box, you may not need a slider type hitch. You could mathematically figure your clearance with the given variables, lenght of pin box, width of trailer and distance from hitch pin hole to back of cab.

Also you may find a used Pullrite superglide on the net somewhere..

http://irv2.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=8076099152&f=1496073452&m=8501004601

http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/short-5er-towing.pdf

had not heard the adapter is unsafe, guess I need to look at that some more. I looked at the superglide, dont want to spend $2K on the hitch. thought I could do it safely with the B&W tunrover ball and the 4" extended ball. thanks for the input, may have to look at just the 5er hitch afterall

thanks

http://www.turnoverball.com/companion/
b&w for 5ers.....
and if you read the install instruction it can be assembled 4" farther from cab than normal... http://www.turnoverball.com/downloads/pdf/3000.pdf

I just installed B&W and love it. I got it for a 28' flat bed trailer for farm stuff. I talked to a local trailer dealer and they said the B&W has a 5th wheel hitch "Campanion". I would ask around. I had the same concerns you stated. I did not want the bulky equipment taking up my bed space when I wasn't towing, and it seemed like a chor to remove it. So I decided to go with B&W.

My brochure states that the campanion hitch is rated at 18,000 lb GTW, and the regular hitch is rated for 25k GTW with 6K tongue weight.

I had mine installed in CA (which seems to be more expensive for everything here) for $600 including parts. I heard horror stories about folks trying to cut their bed and leaving big holes where the hitch penetrates, off center, and even using a sawzall to cut the hole. The company I used had a layout machine that set it dead on, plus if there were any problems, it was on them. Id be happy to email some pictures if you want just shoot me a PM

pullrite is a nice system, but $2K !!!! no way. B&W ball looks like the leader so far, companion hitch does not slide so no advantage as it plugs in the the same ball opening (less space than regular sliding hitch). Iam leaning toward the ball with this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4511357197&category=50073

anyone with experience or opinions have anything else ?

I have the B&W companion hitch. It pulls my 33' 5er great. Real easy to install and reomove. Leaves a clean bed with the hitch removed. I've compared the jaw size on the B&W to other brands and the B&W jaws are some of the stoutest I've seen.

Love the system, no complaints!

MaxRock

talked to skyline corp about the GN setup, they said it was fine, better set up for offroad. no warranty problem !!:ro) i asked them several questions about the frame, how other companies will void the warranty, reply was "this is just one example of how we differentiate oursevles from other companies".

marc

Marc,
Try looking at the new Signature series by Reese. With the optional Power Puck mounting system, the bed will be clean after hitch removal. I personally like to idea of the "hooking" system instead of the "Jaws". My local auto parts wholesaler was able to special order my Reese/Drawtite system at a great price.
www.reeseprod.com (http://reeseprod.com)

main concern with a fifth wheel hitch is side to side binding. I am going to be boondocking mostly for hunting and fishing and most hitches flex 4 degress at most. pulling into and camping on unlevel ground is a big concern. the bed being clear is secondary to this. Two guys I spoke to at a trailer shop both went from fifth wheel to GN hitches due to the binding and stress it put on the system. I am far from experienced here, just thinking the GN would be a good compromise.

I probably will camp at primitive spots than established campgrounds.

For you folks that pull with fifth hitches, how do they flex ? By the way, pullrite superglide is a little to expensive right now.

Most 5th wheel plates tilt front to back, side to side. One thing you might want to consider is clearance between the bed rails and 5th wheeler?

i first wanted to go with the fifth wheel style, but then i would of had to remove my tool box, and fuel tank, which i did not want to do, so then i looked at a gooseneck style, after looking and finding one that would fit in front of the rear axle and still gave me access to my toolbox, i deciced to go that way, i am still able to have my 4000 watt gen set in the box, and when not pulling, the hidden ball gives my truck box back, as for safety, looks to be as stong as a fwheel, it sits high enought with the 12" adapter on the trailer that it is 3"of my box rails, and turning radius is great, as for the cost the welding shop charged me 500 dollars installed, all parts, as for the weight, it was 29 lbs total, much lighter than a 5wheel,
the cons would be they had to cut a 10"by 10" hole in the box to fit it in front of the axle( just weld it back in when you sell the truck if you want)

so far after one year, it was money well spenthttp://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL22/566829/847939/73872822.jpg

SGKid,

my concern with the 5er hitch is the side to side limitation ( 4 degrees) . I am running 35s so I am going to flip the trailer axles to get more clearance from the bed rails. should have at least 6" when all is said and done.

Fredw,

you have a PM

i pull a 35 footer with my shortbox ext cab and use a ball adapter it works fine only have to watch on 80 to 90 degree turns on a angle like a narrow drive way where truck is coming up and trailer still on road. I have a crossbed tool box has come close a couple of times but i just watch out for it. you cam find out a lot of info on this subject at http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/cforum/index.cfm