Inexpensive Fifth Wheel Hitch Options for Short Bed 2006 Ram Pickup

Published 01/02/2020

Question:

I have the Reese rails and I bought the Reese 58079 gooseneck attachment. I’m buying a 42 foot 13000 pound fifth wheel. The man I am buying it from has the Anderson ultimate installed. I’m looking for the cheapest way to tow my fifth wheel without putting a gooseneck ball in my truck, other than the 58079 Reese product I bought. This item doesn’t look like it would stand up to the force of hauling my camper. All of the other fifth wheel to gooseneck attachments or around $500. Am I missing something. I guess what I am asking is this, is it as simple as just attaching this product to my fifth wheel hitch and then sliding over the ball.

asked by: Mike W

Expert Reply:

The Andersen Ultimate fifth wheel connection can only be used on a gooseneck ball that's installed in the truck bed. It won't work with an adapter like the # RP58079 because that will prevent the base of the Andersen Ultimate connection from sitting flat against the truck bed, it'll be sitting up too high. If the base isn't sitting flat on the truck bed, the hitch is unsafe to use and could be damaged, causing loss of the trailer.

The least expensive option with a slider for a short bed truck would be the Curt # 16516 16K fifth wheel hitch but because it features a slide bar jaw, I really wouldn't recommend going this route. This type of jaw holds the king pin securely, it's not going to go anywhere. There will be lots of slop however, because the jaw doesn't hold the king pin very tightly. The slider is necessary so that you can make low speed turns without the front of the fifth wheel from colliding with the rear of the truck's cab.

A better choice would be the Demco # DM6076SL-16K Hijacker SL series. The jaw on this hitch holds the king pin all the way around its perimeter, preventing the banging and rattling every time you accelerate or apply the brakes.

expert reply by: Mike L