Which hitch? Fixed 5th Wheel for Long Bed
Hi! I just got a Dodge RAM 2500. It's the 2013 w/ a Long Bed. I am looking to tow a 5th wheel camper. I am trying to figure out the best setup and it seems there are a whole lot of options. My camper will come in at 13,000lbs or less. I have been hearing good things about the Curt hitches.
Which hitch do you recommend? My truck is stock and I'm trying to figure out what to buy to have a nice setup. I saw that @pa_cummins got airbags as well and am wondering if I should get those or a hitch with air. I'll be hauling it 1,000+ mi on occasion.
Thanks!
Re: Which hitch? Fixed 5th Wheel for Long Bed
Quote:
Originally Posted by
LenNC
Hi! I just got a Dodge RAM 2500. It's the 2013 w/ a Long Bed. I am looking to tow a 5th wheel camper. I am trying to figure out the best setup and it seems there are a whole lot of options. My camper will come in at 13,000lbs or less. I have been hearing good things about the Curt hitches.
Which hitch do you recommend? My truck is stock and I'm trying to figure out what to buy to have a nice setup. I saw that @pa_cummins got airbags as well and am wondering if I should get those or a hitch with air. I'll be hauling it 1,000+ mi on occasion.
Thanks!
I would opt for airbags instead of the air hitch. You’re looking at a minimum of 2600 lbs pin weight. We tow a 15k fifth wheel with a 2010 longbed dually and I’ve considered airbags. We have a Reese hitch rates at 25k and have been happy with it.
Regards,
Bob
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Re: Which hitch? Fixed 5th Wheel for Long Bed
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bobtipton
I would opt for airbags instead of the air hitch. You’re looking at a minimum of 2600 lbs pin weight. We tow a 15k fifth wheel with a 2010 longbed dually and I’ve considered airbags. We have a Reese hitch rates at 25k and have been happy with it.
Thanks Bob! Do you have the Reese 30862? Those look great and are a bit more affordable.
Re: Which hitch? Fixed 5th Wheel for Long Bed
X2 for airbags to assist the rear suspension. The make pulling our camper much more enjoyable.
Greg
2012 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | MM3 tuned by Double R Diesel
2016 | Heartland Pioneer | DS310
Re: Which hitch? Fixed 5th Wheel for Long Bed
I don't tow a 5'er, but I do have a 10' camper I haul around occasionally and loads of fire wood I haul off the mountain. I have a set of Air-Lift 5000's, they help tremendously.
Re: Which hitch? Fixed 5th Wheel for Long Bed
Quote:
Originally Posted by
LenNC
Thanks Bob! Do you have the Reese 30862? Those look great and are a bit more affordable.
Can’t speak to the model number but it is a nice hitch. Was $1,100 installed.
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Re: Which hitch? Fixed 5th Wheel for Long Bed
Quote:
Originally Posted by
walla2k5
I don't tow a 5'er, but I do have a 10' camper I haul around occasionally and loads of fire wood I haul off the mountain. I have a set of Air-Lift 5000's, they help tremendously.
Thanks! The Air Lifts were on the radar. Hmm, looks like I need an air compressor now..
Re: Which hitch? Fixed 5th Wheel for Long Bed
Quote:
Originally Posted by
LenNC
Hi! I just got a Dodge RAM 2500. It's the 2013 w/ a Long Bed. I am looking to tow a 5th wheel camper. I am trying to figure out the best setup and it seems there are a whole lot of options. My camper will come in at 13,000lbs or less. I have been hearing good things about the Curt hitches.
Which hitch do you recommend? My truck is stock and I'm trying to figure out what to buy to have a nice setup. I saw that @pa_cummins got airbags as well and am wondering if I should get those or a hitch with air. I'll be hauling it 1,000+ mi on occasion.
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bobtipton
I would opt for airbags instead of the air hitch. You’re looking at a minimum of 2600 lbs pin weight. We tow a 15k fifth wheel with a 2010 longbed dually and I’ve considered airbags. We have a Reese hitch rates at 25k and have been happy with it.
Regards,
Bob
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reese or Curt. They're both about the same. I've seen both. I don't use them because they make the trailer too long for my purposes.
Bob
You brought up a very interesting point. However I also suggest swapping out the factory sway bar for the Hellwig. It appears to be twice the diameter of the factory. The air bags will prevent body roll, but you rear coil guys need something to prevent suspension shift. We were just having a discussion about that. @F350Cummins is having trouble towing with his 2500 too. I forget which member it was, but he put up a post "Free Advice" Something like that. He works in the RV biz.
I use the hellwig on my 03. I swapped it off my 08 cause I'm cheap. LOL I also have air bags which I am working on new controls for right now. I found, with a load, 70 PSI and higher gives the best control. Rides really good with the load. I'm happy to say my 03 rides better than the 4th gen 2500's. I'm in those new 2500's all the time
Re: Which hitch? Fixed 5th Wheel for Long Bed
I use the BW companion hitch in my regular bed 2500. I pull my 12k fifth wheel with it no problems. Easy to put in and take out.
Re: Which hitch? Fixed 5th Wheel for Long Bed
I have a Reese and it works fine, but using standard rails gives it the dreaded jerk and jam under hard acceleration and braking. Scares the crap out of the wife. I used a friend's truck once that had a gooseneck ball with a BW Companion hitch mounted to it. The ride was was absolutely quiet and solid. The hitch is much better built, especially the locking mechanism. Definitely going BW next time with a BW turn over ball.
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