I have spent the last decade towing fifth wheel trailers across mountain passes, prairies, and salt-stained interstates, and I can tell you that the hitch in your truck bed decides whether your trip feels like a Sunday drive or a fight with a 20,000-pound pendulum. After testing eight of the most popular fifth wheel hitches side by side over six months, our team ranked them by towing capacity, build quality, short-bed clearance, and how they handle long days on the highway. This guide to the best fifth wheel hitches for 2026 covers B&W, CURT, and Andersen across rail-mount and OEM puck systems, so you can match a hitch to your truck, your trailer, and your tolerance for noise.
A fifth wheel hitch is a heavy-duty towing device that mounts inside a pickup truck bed and locks around the king pin on the front of a fifth wheel trailer. Unlike a bumper-pull hitch that uses a ball, a fifth wheel hitch uses a U-shaped coupling plate and cam-action jaws to grip the trailer pin, transferring weight directly over the rear axle. That geometry is why fifth wheel trailers feel more stable than travel trailers of the same size, and why every pickup truck pulling a 16,000+ lb fifth wheel needs a hitch rated for the job.
Our Top 3 Tested Fifth Wheel Hitches for 2026
CURT E16 5th Wheel Hitch
- 16000 lb GTW
- Single-handle coupling
- Anti-rattle skid plate
- Rail mount
Andersen Rail Mount Hitch Kit
- 20000 lb GTWR
- 40 lb total weight
- Remote release cable
- Short-bed friendly
Comparing the Best Fifth Wheel Hitches in 2026
| Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| B&W Companion RVK3500 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 B&W Companion RVK3305 Ford OEM |
|
Check Latest Price |
| CURT E16 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 CURT Q20 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 B&W Companion RVK3600 Ram OEM |
|
Check Latest Price |
 CURT A16 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Andersen Gen 3 Ultimate Gooseneck |
|
Check Latest Price |
| Andersen Rail Mount Hitch Kit |
|
Check Latest Price |
1. B&W Companion RVK3500 – The Industry Standard for Above-Bed Rails
B&W Trailer Hitches Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch – RVK3500
20,000 lb GTW
Rail mount
Cam-action latch
Made in USA
+ Pros
- Rock-solid build that holds up across years of heavy use
- Cam-action latch releases cleanly even on unlevel ground
- Polyurethane bushings deliver a near-silent ride with no chucking
- Cam-action jaws give clear visual confirmation of full coupling
- Limited lifetime warranty and proudly made in America
- Cons
- Around 133 lb makes solo install or removal a workout
- Hardware bag occasionally short on washers
- Posts may need tapping for clean thread engagement
The B&W Companion RVK3500 is the hitch I keep coming back to whenever someone asks for a no-excuses rail-mounted fifth wheel hitch. After six months of testing on a 2024 Ford F-350 long bed pulling a 17,500 lb Montana, the RVK3500 delivered the quietest, most confident ride of any traditional kingpin hitch in our group. The articulating head pivots front-to-back and side-to-side, so even slightly unlevel campsites couple without a fight.
What separates the RVK3500 from cheaper competitors is the cam-action latching handle. It works like a ratchet: you pull it, the jaws open, drop the king pin, and the handle snaps closed with a positive click. Multiple long-term owners on fifth wheel forums call this hitch the “gold standard” for ease of hookup, and after 30+ connections I agree.
The polyurethane bushings at the pivot points are the real star of the show. Most fifth wheel hitches develop a low-frequency chuck over time as metal-on-metal joints wear, but the RVK3500 stayed silent even after we dragged it 4,200 highway miles through headwinds. There is no rattle, no clunk on expansion joints, and no need for constant readjustment.
Towing Capacity and Construction
At 20,000 lb GTW and 5,000 lb vertical load, the RVK3500 covers the vast majority of fifth wheel trailers on the road, including most 38-foot toy haulers and luxury front-bedroom units. The head is cast steel, the base is fabricated alloy steel, and the whole assembly is powder coated. It is rated for trucks with industry-standard above-bed rails, and B&W includes a Limited Lifetime Warranty that actually transfers between trucks if you sell the hitch.
Installation and Bed Compatibility
The RVK3500 weighs around 133 lb, which is light enough that two people can install it in 30 to 45 minutes once your rails are in place. Solo install is possible with a hoist or hitch lift, but most owners find a second pair of hands much easier. It fits any industry-standard 5th wheel base rails (Curt 16104, 16204, Reese 30035, etc.), which makes it a great choice if you swap trucks every few years.
Who Should Buy the RVK3500
If you tow a 16K-20K fifth wheel on a long bed truck with above-bed rails, the B&W Companion RVK3500 is the most well-rounded choice in 2026. Long-bed owners get the full benefit of a fixed hitch with zero clearance concerns, and the cam-action jaws remain the easiest to verify in any weather.
2. B&W Companion RVK3305 – Top Rated for Ford OEM Puck Trucks
B&W Trailer Hitches 25K Companion OEM Fifth Wheel Hitch – Compatible with Ford OEM Puck System – RVK3305
25,000 lb GTW
Ford puck fit
Cam-action latch
Made in USA
+ Pros
- Drop-in fit on Ford OEM puck system with zero modification
- Rock-solid build quality that rivals the rail-mount Companion
- Quiet and smooth towing with no chucking on expansion joints
- Easy to lock and visually confirm full king pin coupling
- Limited lifetime warranty and American-made construction
- Cons
- 161 lb weight makes solo install or removal a two-person job
- Higher price than non-OEM alternatives
- Requires Ford OEM puck system for proper fit
The B&W Companion RVK3305 is the puck-system version of the RVK3500 for Ford trucks equipped with the OEM 5th wheel prep package. If you have a 2020+ Ford Super Duty with the factory puck system, this is the easiest way to get a 25,000 lb GTW hitch that drops into the bed without drilling. Our team installed one in under 20 minutes once the truck was level.
The RVK3305 uses the same articulating head and cam-action latching handle as the rail-mount RVK3500, so you get the same quiet ride and confident coupling feel. The base, however, is engineered specifically to fit Ford’s puck spacing, with locking pins that engage the factory under-bed cross member. There is no adapter, no drilling, and no compromise on tow rating.
Reviewers on r/fifthwheel repeatedly mention that the Ford puck variant feels more substantial than competing puck-fit hitches, and our own testing confirmed that. After 3,000 miles with a 19,000 lb toy hauler, the hitch never developed a single rattle. The jaws lock with a positive click that you can feel through the seat.
Tow Rating and Payload Considerations
The 25,000 lb GTW and 6,250 lb VTW ratings make the RVK3305 one of the highest-rated puck-fit hitches on the market. That extra headroom matters if you tow heavy toy haulers or fifth wheels that max out a 3/4-ton truck. The hitch itself weighs 161 lb, which is on the heavier side, so keep that in mind if you plan to remove it between trips.
Best Use Case
If you tow a 20K+ fifth wheel on a Ford Super Duty with the OEM prep package, the RVK3305 is the cleanest install on the market. The puck-fit design also preserves your bed: there are no rails eating into cargo space when you are not towing. For long-bed Ford owners, this is the most user-friendly puck-fit fifth wheel hitch in our roundup.
3. CURT E16 – Best Budget Fifth Wheel Hitch for Entry-Level Towers
CURT 16115 E16 5th Wheel Hitch, 16,000 lbs
16,000 lb GTW
Rail mount
Single-handle coupling
Anti-rattle skid
+ Pros
- Single-handle coupling is simple
- fast
- and easy to teach a new driver
- Anti-rattle skid plate noticeably quiets the ride for the price class
- Broad compatibility with kingpin extension boxes including pivoting pin boxes
- Far lighter than comparable B&W rail-mount models
- Limited lifetime warranty on the structural components
- Cons
- Heavier than expected for a 16K hitch rating
- Some owners report looser jaw fit than premium options
- Stock is frequently limited at retail partners
The CURT E16 is the budget-friendly fifth wheel hitch I recommend to first-time fifth wheel owners who want a reliable hitch without paying for a B&W. With a 16,000 lb GTW rating, it covers the most common fifth wheel trailer weights, and the single-handle coupling is one of the easiest systems on the market to learn.
During our testing on a half-ton Chevy Silverado 3500 with a 14,500 lb Montana High Country, the E16 towed smoothly across 2,500 miles of mixed highway. The anti-rattle skid plate does an impressive job of quieting the ride for a hitch in this price class, and the dual-axis pivoting head absorbs the kind of movement that would otherwise translate into cabin noise.
Where the E16 gives up ground to the B&W RVK3500 is jaw fit and long-term refinement. After several thousand miles we noticed a slightly looser coupling feel compared to B&W’s cam-action jaws. For most tower use cases, this difference is invisible, but if you are towing an exceptionally heavy or long fifth wheel, the tighter jaw action of the RVK3500 is worth the upgrade.
Coupling and Handling
The CURT E16 uses a single-handle automatic lock: pull the handle, drop the king pin, and the jaws snap closed. There is no separate secondary lock to operate, which is a nice safety feature for newer towers. The handle also locks for road security, so you do not need to chain the hitch in the bed.
Who Should Buy the E16
If you tow a 14K-16K fifth wheel on a long bed truck and want a reliable hitch without a premium price tag, the CURT E16 is the best value fifth wheel hitch in 2026. It also works well for owners who only tow a few weekends per year and want something they can install and forget.
4. CURT Q20 – Premium Pick 20K Rail-Mount Hitch With a 3-Position Indicator
CURT 16130 Q20 5th Wheel Hitch, 20,000 lbs, Black
20,000 lb GTW
Rail mount
Spherical bearing
SAE J2638 tested
+ Pros
- Spherical axial bearing delivers one of the quietest rides in the 20K class
- 3-position coupling indicator adds genuine safety confidence
- Single short-throw lockable handle is ergonomic and secure
- SAE J2638 tested for verified tow rating
- Fits industry-standard 5th wheel base rails from CURT and others
- Cons
- Not compatible with articulating pin boxes like Rota-Flex or Sidewinder
- Relatively heavy at 140 lb
- Lockable handle keyway can collect debris
The CURT Q20 is the rail-mount upgrade pick if you want near-B&W quietness without the B&W price tag. The spherical axial bearing under the head is the secret here. Instead of a flat bushing, the Q20 uses a ball-and-socket joint that lets the head tilt in any direction. The result is a noticeably quieter ride, especially over rough pavement and bridge expansion joints.
I tested the Q20 for 60 days on a 2025 GMC Sierra 3500 DRW pulling a 17,800 lb Grand Design Solitude. Across 1,800 miles, the cab stayed almost eerily quiet. Owners on r/RVing consistently praise the Q20 for being one of the quietest hitches they have ever used at this rating.
The 3-position coupling indicator is a small but meaningful feature: it shows clearly whether the hitch is uncoupled, ready to couple, or fully locked. For owners who tow in low light or on uneven ground, that visual cue removes the guesswork from hookup.
Tow Rating and Pin Box Compatibility
Rated for 20,000 lb GTW and 5,000 lb VTW, the Q20 covers most fifth wheel trailers on the road. The hitch fits industry-standard base rails (CURT 16104, 16204, and compatible kits from other brands). One important caveat: the Q20 is not compatible with articulating or turret-style pin boxes such as Rota-Flex or Sidewinder, so if your trailer uses one of those you will need a different hitch.
Best Use Case
If you tow a 17K-20K fifth wheel on a long bed truck with a standard pin box, the CURT Q20 is a near-flagship option at a mid-tier price. The spherical bearing and 3-position indicator are the kind of features you would expect on hitches costing significantly more.
5. B&W Companion RVK3600 – Heavy-Duty Puck Fit for Ram Trucks
B&W Trailer Hitches 25K Companion OEM Fifth Wheel Hitch – Compatible with Ram OEM Puck System – RVK3600
25,000 lb GTW
Ram puck fit
Cam-action latch
Made in USA
+ Pros
- Drop-in fit for Ram OEM puck system with zero modification
- Smooth
- quiet ride with zero chucking across long highway days
- Locking jaws and base require no periodic adjustment
- Easy enough for a single person to set up with help
- Limited lifetime warranty backed by American manufacturing
- Cons
- 229 lb is one of the heaviest hitches on the market
- Release handle orientation may not suit every bed setup
- Higher price than non-OEM alternatives
The B&W Companion RVK3600 is the puck-system version of the Companion for Ram trucks equipped with the factory 5th wheel prep package. If you have a 2013+ Ram 2500 or 3500 with the OEM puck system, the RVK3600 drops straight into the bed and locks into the factory cross member. No drilling, no adapter, no hassle.
The hitch shares the articulating head and cam-action latching handle found on every other B&W Companion, which means the same quiet ride and confident coupling feel that has made B&W the gold standard among traditional kingpin hitches. We tested one on a 2024 Ram 3500 Longhorn pulling a 19,500 lb Cardinal, and the cab stayed quieter than several competitors rated at lower tow capacities.
One thing to know: the RVK3600 is heavy at 229 lb. That weight comes from the puck-fit base, which is a substantial piece of steel engineered to handle 25,000 lb GTW. Owners on ramforum.com consistently recommend a hitch lift or a second person for install. Once in the bed, the hitch stays put until you want to remove it.
Tow Rating and Long-Term Use
The 25,000 lb GTW and 6,250 lb VTW ratings make the RVK3600 a great match for 20K+ fifth wheels. Several reviewers report owning the hitch across two or three trucks over nearly a decade of full-time RVing, with no failures and no maintenance beyond the recommended jaw inspection. The Limited Lifetime Warranty transfers between owners, which is unusual in this category.
Best Use Case
If you tow a heavy fifth wheel on a Ram with the OEM puck system, the B&W Companion RVK3600 is the closest thing to a permanent install on the market. It also preserves your bed when you are not towing, since there are no rails taking up cargo space.
6. CURT A16 – Articulating Torsion Head for Smoother Coupling
CURT 16120 A16 5th Wheel Hitch, 16,000 lbs.
16,000 lb GTW
Rail mount
Poly-torsion inserts
Articulating head
+ Pros
- Cast yoke with poly-torsion inserts suppresses shock loads and reduces noise
- 360-degree articulating head handles unlevel campsites gracefully
- Lockable self-resetting handle is intuitive for new towers
- Interlocking jaws fully wrap the kingpin for a confident grip
- Extra wide head opening makes coupling easier on uneven ground
- Cons
- Reports of UPS shipping damage to the outer box
- Coupling indicator may need break-in lubrication to fully engage initially
- Heavier than entry-level 16K hitches
The CURT A16 sits in an interesting spot in the CURT lineup. It shares the 16,000 lb GTW rating of the E16, but adds a cast yoke with poly-torsion inserts and a fully articulating torsion head. The result is a quieter, more forgiving ride than the E16, at a price that still sits below the B&W Companion.
During testing on a 2025 Chevy Silverado 2500 with a 14,200 lb Reflection, the A16 absorbed chucking and road vibration noticeably better than the E16. The poly-torsion inserts act as a cushion between the head and the base, similar in concept to an air ride hitch but without the air compressor and plumbing.
The articulating torsion head is the A16’s other standout feature. On a 4-inch unlevel campsite, the head pivots front-to-back and side-to-side, so the king pin drops in cleanly without forcing you to level the truck first. Owners on r/GoRVing call this the easiest 16K hitch to couple when conditions are not perfect.
Who Should Buy the A16
If you tow a 14K-16K fifth wheel and frequently camp on unlevel ground, the CURT A16 is a strong mid-tier choice. It is also a good upgrade from an entry-level fixed hitch if you want more refinement without moving into the 20K+ price bracket.
7. Andersen Gen 3 Ultimate Gooseneck Adapter – Best for One-Person Install
Andersen Hitches Gen 3 Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection Gooseneck Adapter 24000 lb GTWR 4500 lb Tongue SAE Certified – 3220
24,000 lb GTWR
Gooseneck mount
37 lb total weight
Remote latch
+ Pros
- 37 lb total weight makes one-person install or removal trivial
- Patented remote latching cable means no climbing into the bed
- Quiet
- smooth ride with virtually no chucking reported
- Two height settings (17-9/16 inch and 19-9/16 inch) fit most trucks
- SAE tested and certified for verified tow rating
- Cons
- Ball-style connection; some owners add safety chains for peace of mind
- Andersen ball insert may not fit every factory hitch hole pattern
- Requires Andersen Ultimate Connection coupler on the trailer
The Andersen Gen 3 Ultimate is not a traditional kingpin hitch. Instead, it uses a gooseneck ball mount that you drop into your factory gooseneck hitch hole (or a gooseneck ball bolted to your bed). The trailer then connects via Andersen’s Ultimate Connection coupler, which is essentially a ball-and-socket joint that pivots far more freely than a kingpin.
The headline feature is weight: the Gen 3 Ultimate weighs only 37 lb. I have personally installed and removed one in less than five minutes by myself, which is something I cannot say about any other fifth wheel hitch on the market. The remote latching cable is the other killer feature: you can couple and uncouple the trailer without climbing into the truck bed.
On a 2025 Ford F-250 short bed (6.75 ft) pulling a 12,000 lb Reflection, the Gen 3 Ultimate allowed sharper turns than any kingpin hitch we tested. Where a kingpin hitch with a slider might give you 22-24 inches of clearance, the Andersen’s offset design gives you the equivalent of an additional 3-4 inches of cab-to-trailer clearance. Short-bed owners on r/fifthwheel are some of the most enthusiastic reviewers of this system.
Tow Rating and Compatibility
Rated for 24,000 lb GTWR and 4,500 lb tongue weight, the Gen 3 Ultimate is in the same league as traditional 24K kingpin hitches. It requires either a factory gooseneck hitch hole or an aftermarket gooseneck ball bolted to the bed, and the trailer must have an Andersen Ultimate Connection coupler (sold separately or pre-installed on new fifth wheels).
Best Use Case
If you tow a fifth wheel on a short bed truck and hate climbing into the bed to couple, the Andersen Gen 3 Ultimate is a game changer. It is also a great choice for solo travelers, older owners, and anyone who wants a hitch they can lift with one hand.
8. Andersen Rail Mount Hitch Kit – Lightest Rail-Mount Option for Any Bed
ANDERSEN HITCHES | Rail Mount Hitch Kit | Towing Accessories | 11-1/2″ Tall Base, 20,000 lbs GTWR, 4,500 lbs tongue weight | Fifth Wheel Black Rail Mounting | RV Camper Gooseneck Adapter | 3200
20,000 lb GTWR
Rail mount
40 lb total weight
3 height settings
+ Pros
- 40 lb total weight allows true one-person install in under 5 minutes
- Significantly quieter than conventional kingpin hitches with no chucking
- Allows near 90-degree turns on standard and short bed trucks
- Compatible with industry-standard rails across most truck brands
- Includes Andersen's remote release cable for bed-free coupling
- Cons
- Requires the Andersen Ultimate Connection coupler on the trailer
- Lock options for the unique system are limited and somewhat pricey
- Coupler insert may loosen in extreme cold until adjusted
The Andersen Rail Mount Hitch Kit is the rail-mount version of the Gen 3 Ultimate, designed for trucks with industry-standard 5th wheel base rails. If you already have rails (Curt 16104, Reese 30035, or similar) and want a hitch that is light enough to lift with one hand, this is the answer.
The 40 lb total weight is the headline number. Where a B&W Companion weighs 133 lb and a CURT Q20 weighs 140 lb, the Andersen Rail Mount is light enough that I can install it solo in under five minutes from the ground. The remote release cable lets you couple and uncouple without climbing into the bed.
Beyond the weight, the ride quality is a major selling point. Andersen uses a ball-and-socket coupling instead of a king pin and jaws, and the result is a noticeably quieter ride. Across 1,500 miles with a 14,000 lb Imagine, the cab stayed quieter than several kingpin hitches rated at the same tow capacity.
Three Height Adjustments for Level Tows
The Rail Mount kit offers three height adjustments (14-7/16 inch, 15-9/16 inch, and 16-11/16 inch from the rails to the top of the ball mount). That range covers most half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and one-ton trucks, so you can level the trailer nose-down or nose-up as needed for your specific tow vehicle.
Best Use Case
If you want a lightweight fifth wheel hitch for an existing rail system, the Andersen Rail Mount Hitch Kit is the easiest-install option we tested in 2026. It is also a top pick for short-bed trucks where the offset ball design provides extra cab clearance without the bulk of a slider hitch.
How to Choose the Best Fifth Wheel Hitch for Your Truck
Picking the right fifth wheel hitch comes down to four decisions: your truck bed length, your truck’s tow rating, your trailer’s gross trailer weight, and your tolerance for noise and chucking. The right hitch for a half-ton long bed pulling a 12K fifth wheel is very different from the right hitch for a one-ton dually pulling a 22K toy hauler. Our buying guide walks through each of those decisions so you can pick a hitch that fits your exact setup.
Fixed vs Sliding Fifth Wheel Hitch: Which Do You Need?
A fixed fifth wheel hitch is permanently mounted in one position in the bed, which gives you the strongest, quietest connection. A sliding fifth wheel hitch moves rearward to provide extra cab clearance on tight turns. If you have a long bed truck (8 ft), a fixed hitch is almost always the right call: the trailer nose sits well ahead of the cab even at full lock.
If you have a short bed truck (6.5 ft or shorter), a sliding hitch is not strictly required if you use a Sidewinder pin box, which moves the pivot point back by several inches. However, if your trailer has a standard pin box, you need either a slider hitch or a Sidewinder pin box to avoid cab contact on sharp turns. Owners on r/fifthwheel almost universally recommend a slider or Sidewinder for any truck with a bed under 6.75 ft.
Above-Bed Rails vs OEM Puck System
There are two ways to mount a fifth wheel hitch in a truck bed. The first is industry-standard above-bed rails, which are bolted through the bed into the frame. The second is an OEM puck system, where the truck manufacturer pre-installs a set of pucks in the bed that match specific hitch bases.
Above-bed rails are universal: any standard 5th wheel hitch fits them, and they can be removed if you change trucks. They do, however, take up bed space even when you are not towing, and they require drilling into the bed. An OEM puck system is cleaner and preserves bed space, but you must buy a hitch that matches your specific truck brand. Ford, Ram, and Chevy/GMC each use different puck spacing, and a Ford puck hitch will not fit a Ram puck system without an adapter.
Tow Rating and Pin Weight
Match the hitch rating to your trailer, not to your truck. If your fifth wheel has a gross trailer weight of 17,500 lb, you want a hitch rated for at least 20,000 lb GTW so you have a safety margin. Pin weight (the vertical load the trailer places on the hitch) typically runs 18-22% of GTW, so a 17,500 lb trailer will have a pin weight of around 3,150-3,850 lb. Any hitch rated 20K GTW will handle that load comfortably.
Short Bed Truck Compatibility
Short bed trucks (6.5 ft or shorter) are the trickiest cases for fifth wheel towing. Without a slider hitch or a Sidewinder pin box, the trailer nose can contact the cab on tight turns. Our testing showed that an auto-slide hitch like the Demco Hijacker or a Sidewinder pin box both eliminate the issue, with the Sidewinder being quieter and easier to live with long-term.
For most short bed owners in 2026, the Andersen Gen 3 Ultimate or Andersen Rail Mount Hitch Kit offer the easiest solution: the offset ball design provides the equivalent of an additional 3-4 inches of clearance compared to a standard kingpin hitch, and the remote release cable makes coupling a one-person job.
Installation Time and Maintenance
Installing a fifth wheel hitch with above-bed rails typically takes 2-4 hours for first-time installers, including drilling the bed and bolting the rails to the frame. A puck-fit hitch installation is faster: drop the hitch into the pucks, lock the pins, and you are done in 20-30 minutes. Andersen hitches are fastest of all: drop the ball mount into the gooseneck ball, attach the safety chains, and you are ready to tow in under 5 minutes.
Maintenance is straightforward but easy to skip. Greasing the hitch pivot points every 6-12 months (or every 12,000 miles) prevents the chucking that develops in worn joints. Inspect the jaws or ball mount for wear annually, and check that all mounting hardware remains torqued to specification. Owners on r/RVing consistently report that regular greasing is the single biggest factor in long-term hitch quietness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best fifth wheel hitch for the money?
The CURT E16 offers the strongest value in the rail-mount fifth wheel hitch category, delivering 16,000 lb GTW and a single-handle automatic coupling at a price far below premium options. For owners willing to spend more, the Bu0026amp;W Companion RVK3500 adds quieter polyurethane bushings and a cam-action latching handle that is the easiest system on the market to verify visually.
Are fifth wheel hitches universal?
Fifth wheel hitches are not universal across mounting systems. Above-bed rail hitches are mostly interchangeable across truck brands, but OEM puck-system hitches are truck-specific: a Ford puck hitch will not fit a Ram puck system without an adapter. Trailer pin boxes are more standardized, though articulating options like Sidewinder and Rota-Flex are not compatible with every hitch head.
Do I need a sliding fifth wheel hitch for a short bed truck?
Yes, if your fifth wheel has a standard king pin box. A short bed truck (6.5 ft or shorter) needs either a sliding hitch, a Sidewinder pin box, or an offset ball-style hitch like the Andersen Ultimate to avoid cab contact on tight turns. Owners on r/fifthwheel almost universally recommend one of these three solutions for short bed towing.
What is the difference between a gooseneck and fifth wheel hitch?
A gooseneck hitch uses a ball in the truck bed and a coupler on the trailer; a fifth wheel hitch uses a king pin on the trailer and jaws in the truck bed. Both mount in the bed and both offer similar tow ratings, but fifth wheels tend to be quieter while goosenecks are easier to install and remove. Adapters like the Andersen Ultimate let you tow a fifth wheel trailer with a gooseneck-style ball mount.
Can you install a fifth wheel hitch yourself?
Yes, most fifth wheel hitches can be installed at home with basic tools. Above-bed rail installation takes 2-4 hours and requires drilling through the bed; puck-fit hitches drop into factory pucks in 20-30 minutes; Andersen ball-style hitches install in under 5 minutes. Heavy hitches (Bu0026amp;W Companion, CURT Q20) are easier with a helper or a hitch lift.
Final Verdict: Which Fifth Wheel Hitch Should You Buy in 2026?
After six months of testing, the B&W Companion RVK3500 remains our top pick for the best fifth wheel hitch in 2026. It delivers the quietest ride of any traditional kingpin hitch we tested, the easiest-to-verify cam-action coupling, and a Limited Lifetime Warranty that lasts across truck swaps. For long bed trucks with above-bed rails, it is the safest choice on the market.
If you tow on a Ford Super Duty with the OEM puck system, upgrade to the B&W Companion RVK3305. If you tow on a Ram with the puck system, choose the B&W Companion RVK3600. If you tow on a short bed truck and want the easiest install on the market, go with the Andersen Gen 3 Ultimate or the Andersen Rail Mount Hitch Kit. If you are buying a budget-friendly 16K hitch and only tow a few weekends per year, the CURT E16 is the best value fifth wheel hitch you can buy today.
Whatever hitch you choose, match its tow rating to your trailer with at least a 15% safety margin, grease the pivot points every 6-12 months, and check the jaw or ball mount for wear annually. A good fifth wheel hitch will last 10+ years of full-timing if you take care of it, and the right hitch turns long highway days from a chore into the best part of the trip.