Hey guys,

I'm in the process of purchasing a 5th wheel camper. It's a 1994 Skyline Nomad 2515 LTD. It's in pretty good shape and the price is right for someone like me who is a baller on a budget...

Not sure of the hitch weight, but the dry weight is 5,000. I'm guessing the hitch weight is going to be around 1100, but I don't know.

Could use some recommendations for a 5th wheel hitch.

This is the prospective candidate so far:

http://www.etrailer.com/p-30046.htm

Any other advice for using 5th wheel hitches in first gens would help alot to.

I've never used a 5th wheel hitch in a pickup, only in tractor trailers.

 

i myself prefer gooseneck hitches. i think all goosenecks have a rating of 30K pounds. along with a higher weight rating and the same price as the reese you're looking at, they don't take up the space in your bed. b&w makes a nice turnover-ball style. check it out. you can use there site to search for a dealer in your area:

B&W Trailer Hitches

 

then of course you'd need an adapter to bolt up to the hitch on the trailer. i think those are only a couple hundred bucks. so maybe you spend a bit more, but i still like the goosenecks.

 

Well, my parts truck has a gooseneck hitch in it's bed.

hmmm...

 

i bet that'll be cheaper!

 

goose neck adapters put a huge strain on the 5th wheel pin box the best bet will be to buy a 5er hitch and rails most start a 15k. I prefer the husky lock mechanizem (single bar) .I have never had non positive lock issue ever.my .02

 

when useing a gooseneck you are saposed to have saftey chains, 5th wheels you do not, at least around here anyway

 

i say better safe than sorry. i'd use chains even with a 5'er. but that's just me.

 

my dad had an adapter on our 33' tailgator that we lugged around quite a few times. never had a problem with it. his dad, my grandpa, bought the trailer from him. the adapter's still on there and working just fine.

 

My advice is stick with the 5th wheel hitch. I prefer them over goosenecks. That Reese is a good hitch. I had a 20K Reese hitch in my old truck, never had any problems.

My preference is to get a B&W gooseneck hitch and their Companion 5th wheel hitch. All of the mounting is under the bed, instead of having the rails in the bed. To get the whole setup is pretty pricey though.

 

Yep, need to make sure the camper can handle the gooseneck hitch. Seen a few 5ver campers with damage from a gooseneck hitch.

 

I would upgrade to the next Reese hitch also...that 15K hitch you have linked only has front to back tilt. You will want a dual pivot head......It isn't a whole lot more $$, but makes a big difference when hooking or unhooking on uneven surface.

 

ah, ok. That's information I need to know. I don't really know what options to look for. So, this one will do the job then?

http://www.etrailer.com/p-30047.htm

 

I have that one your looking at... i like it . Works perfect. BUT i would prefer a gooseneck. Like someone mentioned, no plates in the bed.

 

Tell me the downfalls to having the plates in the bed. I was told when the top half of the hitch was removed, you could put bikes or 4 wheelers in the bed if you wanted to.