Recommended 5th Wheel Hitch for a 2018 Ford F-150 with 6-1/2 Bed and Aluminum Body

Question:

What fifth wheel hitch do you recommend for a 2018 Ford F-150 with the 6-1/2 foot aluminum bed? Will the aluminum be able to handle the weight of a smaller fifth wheel trailer?

asked by: Jerry

Expert Reply:

I have 2 different recommendations for your 2018 Ford F-150 with the 6-1/2' bed. They are both excellent options that provide different conveniences of their own. Please note that any hitch that installs in the bed of a pickup will be attached to the frame of the vehicle. This means that the pin weight will be placed on the steel frame of your F-150 and not the aluminum bed. Since the pin weight would relate to the payload you just need to be sure that you are not exceeding the weight ratings, both pin/payload and trailer weight, of your pickup (found in your owner's manual).

The first recommendation is the B&W Companion # BWRVK3400-5W. This is a manual sliding 5th wheel hitch that gives you an additional 12" of clearance. The dual 1" thick jaws completely secure your king pin and feature a cam-action latching system that makes it easy to unhook from your trailer when you are on uneven ground that can cause binding. This installs in the B&W Gooseneck Hitch # BW77FR which gives you more towing options and also a clean bed when you are not towing. This combination is rated to tow up to 20,000 lbs.

The second recommendation is the Demco Hijacker which is an autosliding hitch that comes in 18K # DM8550034 and 21K # DM8550035 capacities. The Hijacker offers 14" of total travel and a single jaw with a 3/4" thick locking bar to further secure your king pin. This hitch installs in above base rail kit # DM8552028-71 which stay exposed in the bed of your pickup.

Both of these 5th wheel hitches are great products that also feature different forms of cushioning that increase the quality of your towing experience as well. The convenience of the B&W option is a clean bed when the hitch is removed. The Demco option allows you to stay in your cab for tight turns but the base rails will remain in the bed.

If you plan on using your F-150 to haul cargo around when you are not towing then I recommend the B&W but if you are mainly going to be using the F-150 to tow your trailer then the Demco would be the better option. I also recommend installing a 7-Way connector like part # PK11893-11932-010 in the bed of your pickup to make hooking up your trailer much easier.