The best fifth wheel hitch that you can buy today, for all your towing and pulling needs is the B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch. This model features a fully articulated pivot for better maneuvering and an easy release cam-action latching handle. Plus it had a commendable 20,000-pound GTW and 5,000-pound VTW rating. Get more interior options with our best car accessories list.
To determine the best fifth wheel hitch recommendations, we looked at the following features: weight capacity, truck compatibility, installation, pivoting system and adjustability, and the price. We looked for a range of weight capacities to fit a variety of needs as well as a range of truck bed types. But we also considered how easily a wheel hitch could be installed and how maneuverable it would be when you’re on the road. Keep reading to learn more about the rest of our top picks.
Top 5 Best Fifth Wheel Hitch
#1 B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This wheel hitch features a fully articulated aligning head, an easy release cam action latching handle, and a commendable gross and vertical load weight capacity.
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- Fully articulated pivoting
- Easy release cam-action latching handle
- 20,000lb GTW, 5,000lb VTW
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- Expensive
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We think this B&W 5th Wheel Hitch is one of the best options out there, which is why we nominated it for our Top Pick. It features one of the higher weight capacities in our guide, with the ability to support 20,000 pounds for gross total weight (GTW) and 5,000 pounds for vertical total weight (VTW). This hitch doesn’t rely on mounting rails either. Stay safe with our recommended best fender flares guide.
You’ll enjoy a quiet ride thanks to the polyurethane bushings. And the three vertical adjustments allow you to reposition the hitch from 16 ¼ inches to 18 ¼ inches as well as four inches of front to back adjustment through the three coupler positions. And a fully articulating head means that you can easily pivot whatever you’re towing front to back and side to side. Plus a cam action latching handle makes unhooking your load easier, even on uneven terrain. If you’re looking for your truck in a smaller size, take a look at some of the best RC trucks on the market.
#2 B&W RVK3300 Companion 5th Wheel Hitch
Award: BEST FOR FORDS
WHY WE LIKE IT: A specialized wheel hitch specifically created for Ford trucks with a puck design in the truck bed.
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- Quiet polyurethane bushings
- Easiest to install
- 20,000lbs GTW, 5,000lbs VTW
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- Only for Ford trucks with pucks
- Expensive
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If you have a Ford pickup truck that was designed with pucks in the truck bed, then you’re going to want this B&W 5th wheel hitch. This is a specialized wheel hitch that’s specifically designed to be compatible with Ford pickup trucks with four pucks in the bed.
Just like with our Top Pick, (another B&W selection) you’ll like that there’s a fully articulating head for front to back and side to side pivoting, a cam action latch handle for easy release, three vertical adjustments from 16 ¾ to 18 3/4-inches, two inches of front to back adjustments, and polyurethane bushings for a quiet ride. And just like with the Top Pick, this selection is also rated for 20,000 pounds GTW and 5,000 pounds VTW. If you’re looking to update your car’s interior, take a look at one of the best truck floor mats.
#3 Curt 16516 E16 5th Wheel Slider Hitch
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Curt heel hitch is a rail-based hitch that’s ideal for short bed trucks and lighter loads.
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- Best for short bed trucks
- Easy-to-use auto-lock coupler
- 16,000lbs GTW, 4,000lbs VTW
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- Not compatible with long bed trucks
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If you have a short bed truck, many of the other options in our guide might not be compatible. But the Curt 16516 E16 5th Wheel Hitch is specifically designed for your truck type. We like that in addition to catering to the smaller truck beds, this wheel hitch is still packed with intuitive features. A dual-pivot head gives you 10 degrees of lateral movement for smoother towing. The auto-lock coupler makes connecting your hitch to your tow significantly easier.
The anti-rattle skid plate also helps to minimize vibration and noise. And this hitch comes with a fifth wheel roller for 12 inches of rearward travel and better turning clearance. Plus this hitch is rated to support up to 16,000 pounds GTW and 4,000 pounds VTW. If you’re using your truck for transportation, keep your things safe through using one of the best truck bed liner mats.
#4 Curt 16116 E16 5th Wheel Hitch with Base Rails
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: An affordable Curt wheel hitch for smaller truck beds that’s still full of the essential features that make this brand a fan favorite.
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- Dual pivot head
- Anti-rattle skid plate
- 16,000lbs GTW, 4,000lbs VTW
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- May not be compatible with larger truck beds
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If you’re working with a tight budget but you still need to invest in a fifth wheel hitch, then this Curt 5th Wheel Hitch with Base Rails is a great option. We like that it’s the most affordable option in our guide, but is still packed with features that make it easy to use and improve maneuverability while you’re on the road.
Just like with our Best Quality pick (another Curt wheel hitch), this model comes with a dual-pivot head for 10 degrees of lateral movement and smoother towing. You also get an auto-lock coupler to easily connect your hitch. There’s an anti-rattle skid plate to minimize vibration and noise. Plus this hitch is rated to support up to 16,000 pounds GTW and 4,000 pounds VTW. While you’re at it, you might want to pick up the best truck bed liner too.
#5 Andersen Hitches 3220 Aluminum Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Andersen hitch is the only gooseneck hitch in our guide and is a lightweight 35 pounds for quick and easy installation that you can do by yourself.
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- Best gooseneck
- Easiest to install
- Largest weight support
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- Expensive
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If you prefer gooseneck hitches, then the Andersen 5th Wheel Hitch is a great option. What sets it apart from many of the other options in our guide is that this one is specifically marketed as an easy-to-install solution. The hitch only weighs 35 pounds, making it a lightweight option for the solo hauler or traveler. This means that you can quickly install or remove it in as little as five minutes. Plus this wheel hitch gives you better maneuverability with the ability to swivel up to 90 degrees in every direction. Get and keep your gasoline preserved with our best gas can.
And if you’re hauling heavy-duty loads, this is going to be your best bet since it’s rated to support 24,000 pounds GTW and 4,500 pounds VTW. This is also a versatile solution that can work for short, standard, and long bed trucks. In terms of other core features, the Andersen hitch is comparable to many of the other recommendations in our guide. This means three height adjustments ranging from 16 ¾, 17 ⅞, and 19 ⅛ inches. Rather than a handle, you can use their patented remote cable to latch and unlatch your hitch. If you’re taking your truck on your next trip, make sure to bring along your kids’ best kids RC truck too!
How We Decided
A fifth wheel hitch is a must-have item if you’re going to use your truck to haul heavy loads outside of your truck bed. To create our guide, we looked at the following important features — weight capacity, truck compatibility, installation, pivoting system and adjustability, and the price.
In general, fifth wheel hitches can be expensive, especially if you’re looking for models that are easier to install or feature more intuitive designs, enhanced turning radii, and other smart design features. In our guide, most of the options we nominated are expensive. Only our Best Quality and Best on a Budget (both from Curt Hitches) are modestly priced. The remainder are expensive.
But you’ll also want to think about the type of truck you have, the size of the bed, and whether or not it’s compatible with a wheel hitch. In our guide, our Top Pick, Honorable Mention, and #3 choices are best for standard and long bed trucks. If you have a short bed truck, we recommend our Best Quality and Best on a Budget. And specifically if you own a Ford truck with pucks in the bed, our #3 selection is designed especially for your truck type.
Also think about the installation and whether it’s something you can easily do by yourself or if you’ll need assistance. Most of the wheel hitches in our guide are marketed as easy to install. But our Honorable Mention (which is also the only gooseneck hitch in our guide) is promoted as a lightweight base that’s only 35 pounds and can be properly installed by yourself in under five minutes.
Likewise, all of the wheel hitches in our guide promoted their pivoting systems and easy to adjust mounts. Most offer three to four mounting positions from top to bottom that range from three to four inches and usually two inches of adjustments from side to side. In terms of turning radius, most offer at least a 10-degree turning radius. But in this category our Honorable Mention from Andersen Hitches was the clear winner with a 90-degree turning radius.
And finally, you’ll want to think about weight capacities. The wheel hitches geared towards small bed trucks (Best Quality and Best on a Budget) offered a 16,000-pound GTW rating. Heavy haulers should focus on our Honorable Mention which had the heaviest weight rating at 24,000 pounds GTW. And our Top Pick and #3 selection both offered a 20,000 pounds GTW,
Best Fifth Wheel Hitch Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Factors to Consider
- Type
There are two common types of fifth wheel hitches: fixed and sliding. A fixed hitch either has a single or dual jaw system. While fixed hitches are cheaper, they tend to have a smaller turning radius. Sliding wheel hitches can be purchased with an automatic locking or manual slider. However, this type of wheel hitch is considered more maneuverable since it can turn more than 90 degrees. Also keep in mind that dual jaw systems are usually better for lighter loads while single jaw systems are ideal for loads heavier than 25,000 pounds. - Weight Capacity
Wheel hitches are a great way to increase the capacity of your vehicle by attaching a separate trailer (among other things). But to do this, you’ll want to make sure that the fifth wheel hitch you’re thinking of buying is rated to support the weight of your additional load. This is especially important because a wheel hitch that’s supporting a weight above its capacity can lead to dangerous accidents when you’re on the road. As a general rule of thumb, the larger your trailer, the higher the weight limit should be on your wheel hitch. - Installation
Even if you’re experienced with DIY or hauling projects, you don’t want a fifth wheel hitch that takes forever to assemble and attach to your vehicle. Look for options that are easy to install as picking a model with a more complex installation process could leave you immediately regretting your purchase. - Pivoting System
Unless you don’t plan on making any turns or driving on any curved or winding roads, a pivoting system is an important feature to have. This will give you more maneuvering ability and a wide stance when you’re on the road. The most common option is a two-pivot system. - Sliding Hitch
Just like with the pivoting system, a sliding hitch makes driving while hauling a load easier. Without a sliding hitch, there’s a higher potential for your trailer to bump the rear axle your vehicle — especially if you’re using a short bed truck to haul extra loads. - Mounting System
You’ll need to do some type of process to connect your wheel hitch to your vehicle. The most common options are rail kits and bracket or base mounting systems. For bracket and base mounts, these are usually further divided into under-the-bed and above-the-bed options. However, mounting systems aren’t always included with a fifth wheel hitch so you’ll need to do your research and plan accordingly.
