Best 5th Wheel Hitch Options for Ease of Towing with a 2016 Ford F-250 with a 6-3/4' Bed

Updated 07/17/2020 | Published 04/23/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Under-Bed Rail and Installation Kit for Reese Elite Series 5th Wheel and Gooseneck Trailer Hitches

(60)

$554.64

5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness w/ 7-Pole Plug - GM, Ford, Ram, Toyota - 9' Long

(692)

$107.94

B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w Slider for Ford Towing Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20K

(5032)

$1699.00

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Ford Super Duty Prep Package - 18K

(711)

$1965.00

Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Ford Super Duty Prep Package - 21K

(711)

$2245.00

Reese Elite Series Under-Bed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for Ford Super Duty - 25,000 lbs

(93)

$848.52

Question:

Hi.. Im looking to install a 5th Wheel Hitch in my truck. I have a 2016 Ford F-250 diesel crew cab with the short bed. I will be pulling my 2010 Keystone Outback model 320 FDB. I believe the coach is 12500 lbs. fully loaded but I want a hitch that would allow me to grow a bit if we were to get a bigger coach. Im looking for a hitch that would be easily removable as I would like to maintain full use of my truck bed. Something like the BW companion is appealing to me as I want to get a rail kit installed under the bed. My question is if this is the best option for me. Because I have a short bed, is there something like the companion that would come with a slide? I have zero experience towing so anything that would make it easier is appealing to me. thanks for your help!

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

Thank you for all of the information! Since you are looking to install the under-bed rail kit we will start there and then select a 5th wheel hitch after that.

For your 2016 Ford F-250 Super Duty with the 6-3/4' bed we have the Reese Elite Series Kit # RP30126 for just the 4 pucks or the Kit # RP30138-26 which has the 4 pucks plus the center puck for a gooseneck hitch ball. These kits are identical to each other (aside from the gooseneck connection) and with the Ford OEM puck system.

When it comes to a 5th wheel hitch the B&W Companion # BWRVK3370, rated for 20K, is definitely a top contender due to the 1" thick dual jaws and cam-action latching handle which makes disconnecting your trailer much easier on unlevel terrain. The Companion is made in the USA and is backed up by high praise from customers and a limited lifetime warranty.

The only other 5th wheel hitch that I believe stands a chance next to the Companion is the Demco Hijacker Autoslide. This comes in 18K # DM8550024 and 21K # DM8550038 versions and features an automatic sliding function so that you don't have to get out of your F-250 to activate the sliding function like you would with the Companion. The Hijacker uses a single-jaw design for 360 degree contact and a 3/4" locking bar for peace of mind. This is also made in the USA and has received high praise from customers but it only has a 5-year limited warranty.

If your 2010 Keystone Outback has a Glide Ride, Mor Ryde, Trailair Tri Glide, Trailair Flexair, Rota Flex, or 5th Airborne pin box then you would also need a locking plate when using the Hijacker.

So the Hijacker is easier to use but has a shorter warranty and may require a locking plate while the Companion has the longer warranty, doesn't require the locking plate, but it does mean you have to get out of your pickup to make a tight turn. I have attached some review videos you can reference for each as well.

One other thing that will enhance your towing experience is installing the Bargman # 50-97-410 7-Way in the bed of your pickup. This makes connecting and disconnecting your 5th wheel trailer wiring much easier. I have attached an installation video for this that you can reference as well.

expert reply by: Jon G

click to enlarge

Sergio

7/12/2020

Well...today, I learned the hard way and forgot to engage the slide feature on my reese 16k manual slide hitch. My truck can made contact with the cap of my RV and caused a nice dent in the truck. So now I’m wondering if I should just make the switch to a hitch with an auto slide. Is this a difficult process since I already have rails in my bed for the reese? What would the installation entail for a Pull Rite or a Demco? Thanks

Chris R.

7/17/2020

An autoslide hitch will definitely prevent that from happening again. If you have industry-standard (above-bed) rails in your truck already you can actually go with the Demco Hijacker # DM8550034, which will mount right to them. You won't have to do anything extra to make this switch - the Hijacker will mount just like your existing Reese hitch does.