Our readers keep the lights on and my morning glass full of iced black tea. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.11 Best 5th Wheel Hitches | Stop the Chucking

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The B&W RVK3300 is purpose-built for Ford Super Duty trucks equipped with the factory puck system. Its two-piece design splits into roughly 75-pound halves, meaning one person can install or remove each section without a hoist — a major practical advantage over monolithic hitches that need two strong backs. The fully articulating head pivots front-to-back and side-to-side, keeping the kingpin engaged smoothly on crowned roads and campsite slopes.

The cam-action latching handle provides a mechanical advantage that releases the kingpin even when the trailer is parked on uneven ground. Owners report 60-minute assembly times with simple hand tools (3/4-inch socket, 110 ft-lbs torque wrench) and consistent performance across thousands of miles. The powder-coated finish resists corrosion, and the limited lifetime warranty backs the all-steel construction.

At a rated 20,000 lbs GTW and 5,000 lbs vertical load, it covers the vast majority of fifth-wheel trailers on the road. The main compromise is weight — the complete assembly tips 153 lbs, making it one of the heavier fixed puck hitches. An included zerk fitting requires periodic greasing to maintain smooth head articulation.

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The B&W RVK3500 Companion is the industry benchmark for a reason. It mounts directly onto your existing B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch, eliminating the need for permanent bed rails and reclaiming full bed space when the hitch is removed. The 1-inch-thick locking jaws provide 360-degree contact around the kingpin, a level of engagement that most hitches in this weight class don’t match.

Polyurethane bushings at the pivot points cancel out the low-frequency vibrations that cause chucking on chip-seal highways. The cam-action handle gives mechanical advantage for unhooking, even when the trailer is at an angle. Real-world owners have reported the hitch holding a 17,100-lb trailer during a violent slide without releasing — a testament to the jaw design and material quality.

The tradeoff is brute weight. At roughly 200 lbs, this is a two-person installation. The all-steel, powder-coated construction is built to operate for two decades, but the weight penalty is real for users who need to frequently remove the hitch for bed utility.

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The PullRite 2900 Superglide is the benchmark for automatic sliding hitches that fit standard base rails. Unlike manual sliders that require you to stop and pull a pin, the 2900 uses a capture plate mounted on the kingpin to trigger a cam mechanism that slides the hitch head rearward by 14 inches as you turn. This eliminates any mental load during tight maneuvers in campgrounds or fuel stations.

The fully automatic slide is a game-changer for short-bed trucks. You don’t need to remember to slide before backing up — the hitch handles it in real time. The locking jaw closes automatically around the kingpin during hookup, providing a visual confirmation that the connection is secure. Owners consistently report that the system removes the chucking normally felt through a conventional slider due to its proprietary dampening design.

The 2900’s main downside is complexity. The capture plate requirement means you’re adding an extra component to your pin box, and the manual warns that you must be straight when pulling out from under the trailer — the slide mechanism doesn’t disengage if you’re at an angle. The hitch is also steel-heavy, making it a two-person install.

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The Andersen 3200 Rail Mount Hitch Kit rethinks fifth-wheel towing by replacing the massive steel head and jaws with a ductile-iron ball-and-coupler system that weighs just 40 lbs. You mount it onto standard industry rails (not a gooseneck ball), and the ball interface eliminates the metal-on-metal clunking that conventional hitches produce. The result is a hitch you can lift with one hand and install in under five minutes.

Because there are no massive steel jaws, the system doesn’t transmit the same shock loads into the truck frame. Owners of 35-foot fifth-wheel trailers report a dramatic reduction in bucking and chucking compared to their previous 200-lb conventional hitches. The remote release cable lets you unlatch from the side of the bed without climbing inside, which is a welcome convenience during solo hookups.

The Andersen design does require the pin box to have a standard kingpin — it won’t work with a gooseneck ball already installed. Some long-term users note that the plastic coupler insert can loosen in extreme cold, though the company’s support has been responsive in sending replacements. The weight savings also mean less payload used, freeing capacity for cargo.

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The Andersen 3220-TBX Toolbox Model solves a specific but common problem: fitting a hitch in a truck that has a toolbox mounted across the bed. Its 13-inch tall base and gooseneck-ball design sit low enough to clear most cross-bed toolboxes while still providing full fifth-wheel functionality. The rating jumps to 24,000 lbs GTWR, making it one of the highest capacity ultra-light hitches on the market.

At just 35 lbs, this is a true one-handed removal hitch. The aluminum construction and patented ball-funnel guide make hookup forgiving even when you’re off-center by up to 3 inches — a genuine stress reducer on windy days or uneven terrain. The remote latching cable works from outside the bed, and two height adjustments (16.5-inch and 18.3-inch measured from bed floor to ball top) accommodate different truck and trailer combos.

The 3220-TBX requires a frame-mounted gooseneck hitch underneath the truck bed — it won’t work with thin bed-metal installations. The ball-funnel and coupler block are machined from aircraft-grade aluminum, which resists corrosion but requires periodic inspection for wear. Over 10,000 miles, owners report zero chucking and a smooth, quiet connection that rivals far heavier systems.

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The CURT CrossWing 16600 hits the sweet spot between traditional all-steel hitches and ultra-light aluminum designs. By using carbon steel instead of aluminum, it achieves a 20,000 lb GTWR with the main body weighing only 60 lbs — a 65% reduction over conventional hitches of the same rating. The ShockDrop cushioned isolator in the head dampens the jerking and vibration that typically transfer through rigid hitches.

The coupling system uses a visible contact surface and a channel-guided head that funnels the kingpin into place, removing the “did I hit center?” anxiety during hookup. One-person installation is genuinely achievable thanks to strategic grip points and the lighter weight. The height is adjustable to multiple positions to match different truck bed heights and trailer nose angles.

A minority of owners report jerky behavior on certain combinations — usually with heavier pin weights or rough terrain. The polyurethane isolator works well on smooth highways but can transmit sharper impacts on washboard roads. The CrossWing fits industry-standard rails but is not compatible with CURT’s X5 rail system, so confirm your rail model before purchasing.

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The B&W RVK3050 Flatbed Companion is purpose-built for one specific application: converting a B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch on a flatbed truck into a fifth-wheel hitch. This is not a universal rail-mount unit — it’s designed to drop directly into the gooseneck ball pocket of a flatbed, providing a clean, low-profile installation without drilling or welding. The 25,000 lb GTWR and 6,250 lb vertical load rating handle the heaviest production fifth-wheel trailers on the market.

The fully articulating head provides the same front-to-back and side-to-side pivot as the pickup Companion models, and the polyurethane bushings ensure a silent, rattle-free connection. The cam-action latching handle operates the same way as the RVK3500, providing mechanical advantage for easy release. Owners of aluminum flatbeds report that the hitch dramatically improved ride quality by eliminating the chucking they experienced with lighter gooseneck adapters.

The assembly does require significant mechanical aptitude — owners note that torquing bolts in tight spaces inside the flatbed frame can be challenging, and the instruction manual isn’t as clear as it could be for first-time installers. The 70-lb weight is manageable for two people but awkward to maneuver into the gooseneck pocket. Always check your flatbed’s recess dimensions before ordering, as the RVK3050 may be too wide for some custom flatbeds.

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The B&W RVK3670 Companion Slider integrates directly into the Ram OEM puck system, eliminating the need for universal bed rails and keeping the bed floor clean. The slider provides 12 inches of rearward travel to prevent cab contact with short-bed Ram 2500/3500 trucks during sharp turns. The sliding mechanism is manual but tool-free: you pull a locking pin, slide the head rearward, and re-engage the pin.

The fully articulating head and polyurethane bushings are the same components found in the fixed Companion models, so you still get the quiet, chuck-free ride B&W is known for. The cam-action latching handle works reliably on uneven ground, and the auto-latching jaw provides visual confirmation that the kingpin is fully captured. The hitch splits into two pieces for easier handling, though at nearly 300 lbs total, you still need a second person or a hoist for installation.

The main consideration is that the slider is manual, not automatic like the PullRite systems. You need to remember to slide before backing into a tight spot. The powder-coated steel holds up well to road salt and weather, and the limited lifetime warranty provides long-term confidence. Owners of Ram trucks with factory puck systems report a perfect fit with no additional modifications.

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The B&W RVK3775 is the Chevrolet/GM counterpart to the Ram RVK3670, designed specifically for 2020-2026 Chevy and GMC trucks with the factory puck system. It delivers the same 12-inch slide travel and identical 20,000 lb GTWR, with the same fully articulating head and polyurethane bushings. The body is built from the same heavy-gauge steel and powder-coated to match the gray OEM finish.

Assembly is straightforward for mechanically inclined owners — the hitch arrives as several sub-assemblies that bolt together with clear instructions. The manual slide operates with a pull-pin mechanism, and the head disassembles into two pieces to reduce individual lifting weight. Owners report that the slide rarely needs to be used in daily driving but works flawlessly when maneuvering into tight campsites.

The 256-lb total weight is a genuine consideration. While the two-piece design helps, you still need a dolly, a hoist, or a strong helper to get this into the truck bed. The clips that retain the hitch head to the slide base can be frustrating to install the first time. Once in place, however, the fit is perfect — no wobble, no noise, and full confidence during towing.

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The Reese 30047 16K is the entry-level workhorse for budget-conscious buyers who still need a reliable connection for moderately-sized fifth-wheel trailers. Rated at 16,000 lbs GTWR and 4,000 lbs pin weight, it handles the majority of mid-size campers and toy haulers. The two-jaw locking system surrounds the kingpin with a patented mechanism that engages automatically during hookup.

The hitch offers 6 inches of side-to-side pivot, which compensates for uneven ground during hookup and reduces frame binding while towing. Height adjusts from 14.5 to 18 inches in half-inch increments, covering most truck bed-to-trailer nose height matches. The wide-stance one-piece legs provide a stable base, and the rubber bumpers integrated into the hitch head prevent the metal-on-metal rattling that cheaper bare-metal hitches produce.

Several owners noted that the rail bracket holes didn’t align perfectly with their truck’s existing holes, requiring slight modifications or extra washers. The rail kit is sold separately, adding to the total cost. The 16K rating also means you’re maxed out earlier if you upgrade to a heavier trailer — consider future-proofing if you plan to move up to a 17,000+ lb rig.

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The PullRite 2315 SuperGlide is the most advanced automatic sliding hitch in this lineup, combining a 24,000 lb GTWR with an 18-inch automatic slide for Ram trucks equipped with the factory puck system. That 18 inches of travel is the longest auto-slide distance available, providing exceptional cab clearance even with the shortest Ram 6.5-foot bed. The automatic engagement means you never worry about manual pins — the capture plate on the kingpin activates the slide as you turn.

The mounting post assemblies are completely removable, so you can take the entire hitch out of the bed without leaving any base hardware behind. The 24K rating and 6,000 lb pin weight capacity cover the absolute heaviest fifth-wheel trailers, including large toy haulers and luxury RVs. The all-steel construction is powder-coated for corrosion resistance, and the unit is made in the USA.

The main consideration is the 298-lb total package weight. This is not a hitch you casually install and remove. It’s a semi-permanent installation for serious towers. You also need a separate capture plate for the trailer kingpin (sold separately). The premium price reflects the engineering complexity and the highest slide rating in the market. For short-bed Ram owners pulling 20,000+ lb trailers, this is the definitive solution.