Best 5th Wheel Hitch Option for 2022 Ford F-350 Short Bed

Question:

Hello, We just bought a 2022 F350 Crew Cab short bed 6.5 We need a hitch but are undecided. We are attaching a 2022 Grand Design Solitude 378mbs. Can you recommend the best hitch to use? I prefer a fix hitch if possible but would consider a slider if I cannot safely make 90 degree turns with the combo.

asked by: Miguel A

Expert Reply:

There are some 5th wheels that have the front corners of the trailer loft rounded or concaved enough where a sliding hitch isn't needed, but unless the 5th wheel manufacturer can guarantee that the nose of the 5th wheel will clear the rear corners of the truck cab during turns, you'll be best served using a sliding 5th wheel hitch. Uphill or downhill turns can put the upper or lower corners really close to the cab, if the two should contact it makes for a very expensive repair.

I'd highly recommend the B&W Companion. The Companion is a high quality hitch manufactured right here in the US. The hitch features a massive 1 inch thick jaw that tightly grips the king pin all around its 360º circumference which prevents the king pin from rattling around in the hitch. That rattling would be transferred to the tow vehicle, and would make for an unpleasant ride. The hitch head is dampened with polyurethane bushings that help isolate road shock from the tow vehicle, and the non-binding latching handle makes unhitching much easier, even on terrain that isn't level.

If your truck has the OEM puck system in the bed, I'd recommend the B&W Companion, part # BWRVK3370. If you do not have the puck system, use the # BWRVK3400-5W sliding hitch along with the # BWGNRK1116-5W mounting kit, which also serves double-duty as a gooseneck hitch.

I'll link to some videos that you might find helpful.

expert reply by: Mike L