An Expert Look at Fifth Wheel Hitches for 2021

A fifth wheel hitch is a coupling that is designed to connect your fifth wheel trailer to your towing vehicle. These hitches are usually u-shaped and are specifically designed to be able to support a significant amount of weight, making them the most suitable hitch types for towing vehicles as heavy and cumbersome as fifth wheel RVs. If you have a fifth wheel RV that you’re excited to get out on the road, check out our list of the 5 best fifth wheel hitches to help you make the right purchase! We’ve also put together a buyers guide and FAQ section for extra guidance.

Fifth Wheel Hitches – Top Model Compared

Image	Product	Features	Price
OUR TOP PICK	B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch RVK3500	High GTW of 20,000 lbs Metal construction Fully articulated head 3 vertical adjustments	Check Price On Amazon
EDITOR’S CHOICE	CURT 16115 E16 5th Wheel Hitch, 16,000 lbs	GTW of 16,000 lbs Metal construction Carbide black powder coating Dual-pivot head	Check Price On Amazon
BEST VALUE	Andersen Hitches Aluminum Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection	High 24,000 lbs GTW Durable aluminum construction Lightweight 55 lbs design Ball design for increased pivot action	Check Price On Amazon
RUNNER UP	B and W RVK3300 Companion 5th Wheel	20,000 lbs GTW 3 coupler positions Two-piece, cast locking jaw mechanism Polyurethane bushings for noise reduction	Check Price On Amazon
RUNNER UP	CURT 16245 Q24 5th Wheel Hitch	24,000 lbs GTW Spherical axial bearing 3 easy-access fittings Dual-locking jaw mechanism	Check Price On Amazon

Top 5 Fifth Wheel Hitches for 2021

What You Need To Know When Looking to Buy

Strength and Durability

A fifth wheel hitch, by nature of its intended purpose, is a heavy-duty piece of equipment. Therefore, two of the most important factors to consider when purchasing one are strength and durability. The first indication of a strong and durable product will be its GTW (Gross Train Weight). As we’ve already mentioned, the Gross Train Weight is the maximum combined weight of the towing vehicle, trailer, and cargo, that the hitch is able to support. All of the suggestions on our list have a GTW of somewhere between 16,000 and 24,000 lbs. With the average fifth wheel camper weighing between 12,000 and 15,000 lbs, these GTW measurements should be sufficient. However, if you’re considering purchasing one with a GTW of nearer to 16,000 lbs, it’s definitely worth checking your vehicle owner manuals to make sure that this will be enough. The other main factor that will affect the strength and durability is the construction material. An all-metal construction (which is standard for trailer hitches) is likely to ensure both durability and strength. However, as with any piece of metal equipment that is likely to be exposed to the elements, it’s worth investing in a model that has some kind of corrosion-resistant powder coating to ensure that the durability of your hitch is not compromised by rust. This kind of coating also helps to protect against minor impact damages such as scratching and paint chipping.

Compatibility

Of course, another crucial consideration to make before purchase is whether a given fifth wheel hitch is compatible with your RV and towing vehicle. The key factor to look for in terms of compatibility is how universally the hitch you are considering fits with industry-standard fifth wheel base rails (or, in the case of a gooseneck design, like Andersen’s Ultimate Fifth Wheel Connection, its compatibility with standard gooseneck hitches). However, it is always wise to check before purchase that the hitch is specifically compatible with your vehicle(s) to eliminate any potential for disappointment.

Ease-Of-Use

Naturally, you’ll want yours to be as easy to use as possible. For increased overall ease-of-use, you’ll need to prioritize a few different factors: namely, ease of installation, ease of release, and ease of maneuverability. For a model that is easy to both install and release from the back of your towing vehicle, look for features such as a cam action latch handle, as featured on B&W’s RVK3500. This type of latch makes for easy connection at the point of installation, but also facilitates easy release, even on uneven surfaces, which typically make both the attachment and release processes more difficult. Also on the subject of installation, the more lightweight the construction of your hitch, the easier it will be to handle and, consequently, install. There is an important balance that needs to be struck here between durability and lightness. Whilst the all-metal, heavy construction that is common with trailer hitches can improve durability, it can also make handling very difficult. Therefore, we recommend looking for ones made of lightweight metal such as aluminum where possible, since this metal is very strong and durable whilst not being overly heavy. The ease of maneuverability of a fifth wheel hitch will generally be dictated by the pivot action of its head. A fully articulated head, therefore, is a really useful feature to have because it allows for smooth turning in any direction needed. Having multiple coupling placements can also significantly improve their ease-of-use. Multiple coupling options mean that you can adjust the attachment of your hitch to your vehicle for maximum convenience.

Security and Stability

Security and stability are of the utmost importance. A lack of stability or security during the towing process can, at best, result in a noisy and uncomfortable trip. At worst, an insecure, unstable fifth wheel hitch can be incredibly dangerous, leading to potential road accidents. All suggestions on our list have been designed with security and stability in mind in order to provide the safest and most comfortable towing experience possible. That being said, there are a few features you should look out for to make sure that yours is stable and secure. First, it’s a good idea to check that your desired one has been tested according to the appropriate industry standards. This will be standard practice for reputable brands like the ones featured on our list, such as B&W, CURT, and Andersen. However, for added peace of mind, you should ideally check the product descriptions for security testing that complies with specifications such as those outlined by SAE J2638. Features such as wide stance and even weight distribution help to keep the hitch stable during operation. Dual-action jaws are known for their superior strength, so if you want one that is guaranteed to stay firmly attached, this is a good feature to look out for. Moreover, included security and safety features such as lockable handles and latch cables will keep your hitch securely attached to both your RV and towing vehicle. A particularly useful additional feature for security when it comes to fifth wheel hitches is a coupling indicator, as featured on the CURT 16245 Q24. This indicator will let you know whether your fifth wheel is coupled or uncoupled, and will indicate when your hitch is ready for towing.

Can Fifth Wheel Hitches Help with Speedometer Calibration for Larger Tires on a Chevy?

Undoubtedly, fifth wheel hitches play a significant role in aiding the speedometer calibration for larger tires on Chevy vehicles. Installing larger tires may interfere with the calibration accuracy of your speedometer. Yet, using a fifth wheel hitch can help make the necessary adjustments to ensure accurate speed readings while towing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What vehicle can I use to tow my fifth wheel RV?

Generally speaking, trucks are the only vehicles that should be used to tow a fifth wheel RV. There are a variety of trucks that are suitable for towing fifth wheels. These suitable truck models include ½ and ¾-ton models, as these are the best suited to towing significant amounts of weight. Other types of vehicles, such as an SUV or larger van, may also be capable of towing a fifth wheel RV. However, these vehicles are more than likely to require the use of an automated safety hitch. In the vast majority of cases, we and towing vehicle experts strongly recommend only using trucks to tow fifth wheel RVs, for your own safety and the safety of your vehicles.

Are they universal?

This is a complicated question that needs to be approached from a couple of different angles. As we’ve mentioned in the Compatibility section of our buyers guide, many are designed to be compatible with all industry-standard fifth wheel base rails. These hitches are, therefore, somewhat universal in the sense that they can be used for all fifth wheel hitches with industry-standard rails. However, whilst most base rails are made to the same industry standard, this is not the case for all models. Some will be specific to certain vehicles. Therefore, the short answer is that whilst most fifth wheel rail-mounted hitches will be compatible with all industry-standard rails, they are not completely universal accessories.