Choosing a fifth wheel hitch sounds simple until you realize the hitch is the single point where tens of thousands of pounds transfer from trailer to truck. Get the capacity wrong and the pin box bottoms out. Get the architecture wrong and the trailer nose hits your cab on the first tight turn. We compared ten of the most-reviewed fifth wheel hitches for pickup trucks to find which ones hold up, and this guide is updated for October 2026.
A fifth wheel hitch is the horseshoe-shaped, jaw-style coupling mounted in a pickup bed. It clamps onto the kingpin of a fifth wheel RV or heavy trailer, spreading pin weight across a wide jaw instead of a single ball, which is why it handles far more weight and stays far steadier than a gooseneck. The hitch bolts to bed rails or a factory puck system, the kingpin drops into the jaws, and a handle latches it.
Most of the mistakes we see come down to two things: buying a fixed hitch for a short bed, and budgeting payload without counting the hitch itself. The fixes are straightforward once you know how to measure cab-to-axle distance and where the pin weight actually lands. If you also want to protect the interior of the truck you are towing with, our truck seat cover picks cover a different but related upgrade.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Fifth Wheel Hitch Picks in 2026
Andersen 3200 Rail Kit
- 20000 lb GTWR
- 4500 lb tongue weight
- Three height positions
- 40 lb build
The CURT E16 takes the top spot because it has the deepest owner base in this group at 301 reviews, and owners keep reporting the same two things years in: the dual-axis pivot makes coupling forgiving, and the anti-rattle skid plate makes the tow quiet. It is not the highest-rated unit here, and it is not the highest capacity, but consistency across hundreds of owners is the signal that matters most when a hitch carries a loaded trailer.
The CURT Q20 is the quietest tow in the roundup. Its spherical axial bearing lets the head tilt in any direction, and the three-position coupling indicator tells you at a glance whether the kingpin is fully captured. Owners upgrading from older hitches report the vibration simply disappears. The Andersen 3200 wins on handling: at roughly 40 pounds, one person can install and remove it in under five minutes, and the remote release cable means you never climb into the bed to uncouple.
Best Fifth Wheel Hitches for Pickup Trucks (October 2026)
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| CURT E16 16000 lb Fifth Wheel Hitch |
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Check Latest Price |
| Andersen 3200 Rail Mount Hitch Kit |
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Check Latest Price |
 CURT Q20 20000 lb Fifth Wheel Hitch |
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Check Latest Price |
 CURT A16 16000 lb Fifth Wheel Hitch |
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Check Latest Price |
 PullRite 2600 SuperLite Single Point Hitch |
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Check Latest Price |
 B&W 25K Companion RVK3715 GM Puck Hitch |
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Check Latest Price |
 PullRite 2700 15K SuperGlide Short Bed Hitch |
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Check Latest Price |
 PullRite 2900 20000 lb SuperGlide Hitch |
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Check Latest Price |
 CURT CrossWing 16600 Lightweight Hitch |
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Check Latest Price |
 PullRite 2914 OE Puck SuperGlide 20K for Ford |
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Check Latest Price |
1. CURT E16: the most-proven hitch in the group
CURT 16115 E16 5th Wheel Hitch, 16,000 lbs
16000 lb GTW
Alloy steel
Powder coated
95.1 lb
Model 16115
Pros
- Dual-axis pivot gives about 10 degrees of lateral movement
- Single-handle automatic locking operation
- Anti-rattle skid plate reduces noise
- Alloy steel from an American manufacturer
- Works with common pivoting pin boxes
Cons
- Fixed position so short-bed clearance can be tight
- Base rails and brackets sold separately
- About 95 lb makes removal a two-person job
The E16 is the hitch we keep coming back to because 301 owners have now logged real miles on it, and the complaints have not changed. It is a fixed rail-mount design rated to 16000 lb of gross trailer weight, built from powder-coated alloy steel with a part number of 16115.
What owners consistently praise is the dual-axis pivot, which allows roughly 10 degrees of lateral movement during coupling. That is not a spec-sheet luxury. On a sloped driveway or a badly out-of-level campsite, that movement is the difference between lining the kingpin up in one try and shuffling back and forth five times.
The single-handle automatic lock is the other repeated positive. You throw one lever, the jaw closes around the kingpin, and the handle stays where you put it. Reviewers moving up from a much older Reese also mention the anti-rattle skid plate, which quiets the hollow boom that usually comes down the highway at 60 miles per hour.
It is also compatible with kingpin extension boxes, including the common pivoting pin boxes, so it is not a dead end if your trailer has a taller or articulated pin box. That flexibility matters more than the raw rating in a lot of real setups.
Coupling on uneven ground
Owners describe coupling on a steep driveway or a badly tilted site as the standout experience. The dual-axis pivot absorbs both fore-aft and side-to-side misalignment before the jaw ever has to close. For anyone camping on river gravel or a sloped forest site, that is the feature that decides the purchase.
Judging from owner photos, the head opening is generous enough that guiding the kingpin in does not require precision. That is worth more than the extra capacity a bigger unit would give you if the trailer is under 16000 lb loaded.
Where the fixed position bites
The E16 does not slide. If your truck has a short bed and your pin box sits higher than stock, the trailer nose can get uncomfortably close to the cab on tight turns. Measure before you buy, and if your clearance is marginal, look at one of the automatic sliders further down instead.
Rails and brackets are also sold separately, so budget for the mounting hardware as its own line item. And at about 95 pounds, pulling it out of the bed is a two-person job for most people. Budget for a second set of hands if you plan to remove it often.
2. Andersen 3200: the easiest hitch to move in the roundup
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
20000 lb GTWR
4500 lb tongue weight
45 lb
Model 3200
Pros
- About 40 lb so one person can install in under five minutes
- Mounts on industry-standard rails with no extra adapters
- Three height positions for kingpin clearance
- Remote release cable avoids climbing into the bed
- Alloy steel construction
Cons
- Rail-mounted coupler occupies bed rail space
- Needs a properly installed gooseball in the bed
- 20000 lb is the ceiling for this unit
At 243 reviews and 4.6 stars, the Andersen 3200 has the second-largest owner base in the group and an unusually high share of five-star ratings. It works differently from a conventional fifth wheel head, and understanding that difference is the whole point.
This is a rail-mounted coupler block that connects to a gooseball installed in the bed, using a ball-and-cup connection rather than a jaw and handle. Rated to 20000 lb GTWR and 4500 lb of tongue weight, it is a legitimate heavy-duty coupler rather than an accessory.
The headline advantage is weight. Owners consistently put the unit at about 40 pounds, and report installing it in under five minutes by themselves on standard rails. Compare that to the fixed rail-mount hitches in this roundup, several of which run past 95 pounds and need two people to lift out.
Three height positions let you dial in kingpin clearance, which is genuinely useful when your pin box sits taller than stock. The remote release cable is the feature owners mention second most: you uncouple from outside the bed instead of climbing up next to the trailer.
Matching it to your bed setup
The Andersen mounts on any industry-standard bed rails, in long or short bed trucks, with no extra adapters. That makes it the least fussy option here if your bed already has rails and you do not want to drill anything or convert a puck system.
You do need a properly installed gooseball. If your bed has never been wired for gooseneck pulling, that is a separate installation, and it is the one extra step that catches people out.
What the ball-and-cup design gives up
It sits directly in the bed rails rather than in a puck system, so it occupies rail space and there is no clean way to slide the connection fore and aft. The 20000 lb rating is also the ceiling, so heavier rigs need a larger unit.
Because it is a coupler block and not a self-contained fifth wheel head, it will not work with a standard kingpin the way a jaw coupler does. Verify your trailer and bed hardware before committing.
3. CURT Q20: the quietest 20000 lb hitch here
CURT 16130 Q20 5th Wheel Hitch, 20,000 lbs, Black
20000 lb GTW
5000 lb vertical load
SAE J2638
140 lb
Pros
- Spherical axial bearing tilts the head in any direction
- Three-position coupling status indicator
- Single short-throw lockable handle
- Full circular ring kingpin capture
- Tested to SAE J2638 specifications
Cons
- Not compatible with articulating or turret pin boxes
- Base rails and brackets sold separately
- 140 lb is a heavy one-person lift
The Q20 is the one hitch in this roundup where owners talk about noise disappearing rather than merely decreasing. It carries 124 reviews at 4.7 stars, with 87 percent of ratings at five stars, and the complaint list is short enough to read in one breath.
Rated to 20000 lb of gross trailer weight and 5000 lb of vertical load, and tested to SAE J2638, it covers the large majority of Class III trailers and lighter Class IV rigs. It fits industry-standard base rails such as the CURT 16104 and 16204.
The mechanism behind the quiet ride is the spherical axial bearing in the head, which lets the hitch tilt in any direction rather than pivoting on a single axis. Combined with full circular ring capture of the kingpin, it cuts the chucking and vibration that owners coming from D-shaped jaw designs complain about most.
The three-position coupling indicator is the second feature owners single out. It shows coupled, uncoupled, and ready-to-tow status, so you get a positive confirmation at the hitch instead of guessing from the handle position. On a heavy trailer that reassurance is worth real money.
Pin box compatibility is the deciding factor
The Q20 does not work with articulating or turret-style pin boxes such as Rota-Flex or Sidewinder. If your trailer has a flexible pin box, this unit is not for you regardless of how good the rest of it is. If your pin box is standard, the incompatibility is irrelevant.
Also check that it splits into two pieces for storage, which it does. At 140 pounds that split matters, though the base section alone is still heavy for one person to lift out.
Worth the extra money over a 16000 lb unit
If your trailer’s loaded weight sits between 16000 and 20000 lb, the step up is not optional. A 16000 lb hitch on a 18000 lb trailer is an overloaded latch running on every uphill corner.
If your trailer is comfortably under 16000 lb, the Q20 buys you quietness and a visible status indicator rather than capacity you will use. Plenty of owners consider that the better trade anyway.
4. CURT A16: the hitch for rough campsites and sloped driveways
CURT 16120 A16 5th Wheel Hitch, 16,000 lbs.
16000 lb rating
Articulating torsion head
Model 16120
Pros
- Fully articulating torsion head absorbs uneven ground
- Poly-torsion inserts in the cast yoke absorb shock and cut noise
- High-strength interlocking jaws wrap the kingpin
- Handle self-resets to ready-to-couple position
- Head separates from base for easier handling
Cons
- Handle uses a pin rather than a padlock
- Will not fit older universal bed rails
- Fixed position with no fore-aft slide
The A16 shares the E16’s 16000 lb rating but takes a different approach to the head, and the difference shows up on bad ground. With 114 reviews at 4.5 stars and 76 percent five-star ratings, the feedback is heavily concentrated on coupling where the trailer should not be.
Instead of a dual-axis pivot, the A16 uses a fully articulating torsion head with a cast yoke and poly-torsion inserts. The inserts absorb shock loads, which is what keeps the impact from travelling up through the trailer frame.
Multiple owners confirm it couples easily on steep driveways and on campsites that are badly out of level. They also report less kingpin wear and a smoother ride than the worn-out hitches they replaced, which tracks directly with the articulating head absorbing impacts instead of transmitting them.
The high-strength interlocking jaws wrap the kingpin to minimize chucking, and the wide head opening makes lining up the pin straightforward. The handle self-resets to the ready-to-couple position after you uncouple, which removes one common forget-and-reattempt failure mode.
Older rail beds need a hardware check
The A16 will not fit older universal bed rails, and several owners upgrading from worn-out hardware had to replace the rails as part of the job. Confirm your rail type before ordering, because a rail change adds both cost and shop time to the install.
The head separates from the base, which helps with handling, but the base section is still not a one-person lift in every bed.
Security and status indicators
The handle is secured by a pin rather than a padlock, so it cannot be positively locked against tampering. If you leave a loaded trailer parked overnight or in view of a parking lot, that is worth factoring into your choice.
There is also no built-in coupling status indicator, which is the feature the CURT Q20 owners consistently praise most. The A16 tells you the handle position; the Q20 tells you whether the kingpin is captured.
5. PullRite 2600 SuperLite: the tightest turns in a short bed
PullRite 2600 Superlite Single Point Attachment Fifth Wheel Hitch
20000 lb GTW
Single point ball mount
130 lb
Model 2600
Pros
- Tighter ball-and-cup connection gives a settled ride
- Single point design saves bed cargo space versus a slider
- Offset design handles tight short-bed turns without cab contact
- Ball lock is visible from the cab and verifiable with a lift test
- High-grade steel rather than lightweight aluminium
Cons
- Needs a separate gooseneck ball installed in the bed
- Flexing pin boxes need an additional isolator part
- Not recommended on Ford factory puck setups
The SuperLite 2600 is a different animal from the jaw hitches around it. It is a single point attachment that couples to a gooseneck ball in the bed, and with 82 reviews at 4.5 stars it has earned a reputation as a short-bed solution without needing to slide anything.
Rated to 20000 lb GTW, it handles heavy Class IV trailers while freeing up bed space that a slider would otherwise consume. The offset design is the part short-bed owners care about: it lets the trailer pivot around the ball rather than around a fixed jaw.
Owners who moved from a slider or a conventional fifth wheel head point to three things. The saved bed cargo space is immediate. The tight turning radius in a short bed is immediate. And the connection is visible from the cab, so you can confirm the ball is locked with a lift test instead of a pull test.
That last point is not a small comfort. With a jaw coupler, some owners argue you are still relying on the handle position. With a ball-and-cup, you can see and physically verify the lock before you drive away.
What the offset design actually solves
A slider buys clearance by moving the kingpin rearward when you turn. The SuperLite buys clearance by changing the geometry of the connection itself, so it clears the cab without fore-aft travel. Owners in short beds report making turns they previously avoided entirely.
Because the head does not slide, there are no slide rails to fill with grit. That removes a whole class of maintenance that slider owners deal with.
Setup prerequisites and known rough edges
It requires a separately installed gooseneck ball in the bed. If your truck has never had one, that is an extra step. Flexing kingpin boxes such as Rota-Flex need an additional isolator part that is not part of the base hitch.
Two other things come up repeatedly. The set screws sit deep in the frame and are difficult to reach with standard wrenches, and the installation instructions list wrench sizes that do not always match the supplied hardware. Ford factory puck setups are specifically not recommended because the ball height leaves the lock nut too high to torque properly.
6. B&W 25K Companion RVK3715: the top-rated unit for GM puck trucks
B&W Trailer Hitches 25K Companion OEM Fifth Wheel Hitch – Compatible with 2020-2026 Chevrolet/GM OEM Puck System – RVK3715
25000 lb GTW
6250 lb VTW
GM puck fit
RVK3715
Pros
- Highest capacity here at 25000 lb GTW and 6250 lb VTW
- Fully articulating head pivots front-to-back and side-to-side
- Cam action latch releases even on unlevel ground
- Drops into the factory GM puck system with no drilling
- Made in America with a limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Only fits 2020-2026 Chevrolet GM trucks with the factory puck system
- Heavy enough that owners call it a two-person lift
- Cam latch can resist unlocking when the truck and trailer sit at an angle
This is the highest-rated hitch in the roundup at 4.8 stars, with 90 percent of its 77 ratings at five stars and only 1 percent at one star. It is also the highest capacity, at 25000 lb GTW and 6250 lb of vertical load weight.
It fits the 2020-2026 Chevrolet and GM factory puck system, which means it drops into the bed with no bed rails and no drilling. Owners with GM pucks describe the install as straightforward and the towing as confident.
The head is fully articulating, pivoting front to back and side to side, and it uses a cam-action latch that owners say releases even when the truck and trailer sit on an angle. That solves a problem that catches people constantly: parking on a slope and discovering the handle will not move.
It breaks down into two pieces for storage and carries a grease supply for the head. Made in America with a limited lifetime warranty, the warranty paper trail is the strongest in this group, and forum owners treat that as a serious purchase factor rather than a marketing line.
Fitment is narrow and non-negotiable
This hitch only works on 2020-2026 Chevrolet and GM trucks that have the factory puck system. If you have a Ford or RAM, or an older GM bed without pucks, this is not your unit. Check the puck holes in your bed before anything else.
It is also heavy enough that owners consistently describe it as a two-person lift, and it requires a quality torque wrench plus some research to set the cam latch adjustments correctly.
Warranty and the frame question
Frame warranty anxiety is a real concern for OEM truck owners, and it comes up constantly in forum threads about hitch selection. A puck-drop-in like this one leaves the frame untouched, which is generally the cleanest path there is. Confirm the terms with your dealer in writing before the install.
Buyers should also expect a short adjustment period. Owners mention researching torque values before first use, and a few report the cam latch resisting release on sloped sites until the adjustments are set properly.
7. PullRite 2700 15K SuperGlide: an automatic slider for lighter trailers
Pulliam 2700 15K Superglide Short Bed Hitch for Industry Standard Base Rail
15000 lb rating
Stainless steel
177 lb
Model 2700
Pros
- Built for short beds where a fixed head will not clear the cab
- Fully automatic sliding action moves the kingpin rearward
- Locking jaw closes automatically around the kingpin
- Stainless steel construction
- Uses industry-standard base rail already in most beds
Cons
- Lowest rating in this group at 4.2 stars with 12 percent one-star reviews
- 15000 lb rating limits it to lighter trailers
- About 177 lb makes removal hard for one person
The 2700 is the one product here where the rating itself is part of the buying decision. It sits at 4.2 stars across 58 reviews, with 69 percent five-star but a 12 percent one-star share, and that split reflects a genuine capacity-versus-cost tradeoff.
What it does well is specific and valuable. It is built for short bed pickups where a fixed fifth wheel head simply will not clear the cab, and it moves the kingpin rearward automatically as you turn.
The locking jaw closes automatically around the kingpin, so there is no handle to check after the fact. Positive reviews center on exactly that: solving a real short-bed clearance problem with a mechanism that just works while you steer.
It mounts to industry-standard base rails that are already present in most pickup beds, and it is built from stainless steel, which is why it is heavy at roughly 177 pounds.
Matching hitch capacity to trailer weight
The 15000 lb rating is the lowest in this roundup, and it caps the trailers you can pull with confidence. Before anything else, load your trailer to its real camping weight and check that number against the hitch rating with margin to spare.
If your trailer is under about 12000 lb loaded, this unit has room. If it is anywhere near 15000 lb, the step-up cost of a higher-rated slider is the safer purchase.
Weight, hardware, and support
At roughly 177 pounds it is the heaviest rail-mount unit in the group, and one-person removal is genuinely difficult. Budget for a second person or a ramp setup.
Two more things to plan for. A capture plate is required to activate the sliding cam and is sold separately. And some owners report dissatisfaction with manufacturer support, which is worth weighing if you are far from an authorized dealer. If you also read children’s books alongside your towing, our workbook picks for a struggling fifth grader are a separate read.
8. PullRite 2900 SuperGlide: the slider for heavy short-bed trailers
PULLRITE Pulliam Enterprises 2900 Superglide 20,000
20000 lb trailer weight
14 inch automatic slide
18.5 inch height
Pros
- 14 inches of fully automatic slide for short-bed clearance
- Locking jaw closes automatically around the kingpin
- 20000 lb rating covers most Class III and lighter Class IV trailers
- Fits standard base rails already in most beds
- 81 percent of ratings are five stars
Cons
- Capture plate required to activate the sliding cam and not included
- 18.5 inch height from bed floor can restrict upper pin box clearance
- Only 49 reviews leaves less long-term feedback
The 2900 is the slider to look at if your trailer is heavy and your bed is short, which is the hardest combination in this entire roundup. Its 49 reviews at 4.6 stars show 81 percent five-star and 13 percent four-star, with almost nobody in between.
The mechanism gives 14 inches of fully automatic slide, so the kingpin moves rearward as you turn without any input from you. The locking jaw closes automatically around the kingpin once it is in position.
At a 20000 lb rating it covers the large majority of Class III trailers and the lighter end of Class IV, which is well above what the 2700 can handle. It mounts to standard base rails already present in most pickup beds, so no drilling is required if your bed is already rail-equipped.
One specification deserves attention before anything else. The hitch stands 18.5 inches to the top of the hitch plate, and owners with certain upper pin boxes report that this reduces clearance at the nose. Check that number against your trailer’s pin box before ordering.
Where the automatic slide earns its cost
The slide is what makes this usable in a short bed. Fixed heads force a choice between a tailgate-clearance offset and a cab strike, and the slider lets you have both. Owners on short beds describe the difference as the difference between parking normally and planning every turn.
Because the slide is automatic and the jaw self-closes, there is no latch to re-check after a tight turn. That removes a failure mode that catches people distracted at low speed in a campground loop.
Maintenance and buying cautions
Slide mechanisms collect debris. That is the single most common complaint about sliders in general, and the practical fix is a grease schedule you actually follow, plus pulling the hitch and cleaning the rails every season. Budget time for it.
Also note that a capture plate is required to activate the sliding cam and is not included, and that with only 49 reviews there is less long-term durability feedback than the CURT and B&W units have. Weight is also a factor at roughly 216 pounds in its class, so plan for a two-person installation.
9. CURT CrossWing 16600: full 20000 lb steel at 60 pounds
CURT 16600 CrossWing Lightweight 5th Wheel Hitch, 20,000 lbs.
20000 lb GTW
60 lb main body
86.7 lb total
SAE J2638
Pros
- 20000 lb steel rating with a 60 pound main body
- ShockDrop cushioned isolator reduces vibration and rattling
- One-person install with strategic grip points
- Visible contact surface and head channel simplify coupling
- Carbon steel rather than the aluminium used by most light-duty units
Cons
- Will not fit CURT X5 rail systems
- Fixed position with no fore-aft slide
- 18 percent of ratings are one star
The CrossWing does something none of the other nine do here: it pairs a genuine 20000 lb steel rating with a 60-pound main body. Most light-duty fifth wheel heads in this class use aluminium to hit that weight, and the CrossWing is built from carbon steel instead.
It is rated to 20000 lb gross trailer weight and tested to SAE J2638. Total weight is about 86.7 pounds, of which only 60 pounds is the main body, and the rest separates for two-handed handling.
The ShockDrop cushioned isolator is the feature owners mention most. It is designed to reduce jerking, jarring, vibration, and rattling, which is the complaint that drives most people to replace a hitch in the first place.
Strategic grip points are positioned so one person can install it, and the head channel with a visible contact surface removes guesswork during coupling. The unit fits industry-standard rails and is available in rail mount and single-point variants.
Why the aluminium question matters
Aluminium heads are lighter because aluminium is less dense than steel, but it deforms differently under impact and ages faster. Supporters of this unit treat the steel construction at a 60-pound body as the compromise that avoids both the weight penalty and the durability question.
If you care most about the tow feeling settled rather than the unit feeling heavy in your hands, the isolator is the piece to evaluate first. Ride quality complaints, not strength complaints, are what drive returns on this category.
The polarised rating is worth reading closely
Thirty reviews at 4.2 stars with 73 percent five-star and 18 percent one-star makes this the most divided product in the set. Detractors report fit issues, noise, and value complaints. That is a real signal, not noise, so read the low reviews before buying.
It also will not fit CURT X5 rail systems, and it is a fixed position with no fore-aft slide, so short-bed clearance is not adjustable. With only 30 reviews the long-term track record is thinner than the E16 or the Q20.
10. PullRite 2914 OE Puck SuperGlide 20K for Ford
PullRite 2914 OE Puck Series SuperGlide Hitch 20K for Ford, Black
20000 lb GTW
5000 lb pin weight
14 inch slide
216 lb
Pros
- Drops into the Ford factory puck system with no drilling
- Removable mounting post assemblies take the whole hitch out
- 14 inches of fully automatic slide
- 20000 lb GTW with 5000 lb pin weight suits heavy Class IV trailers
- 85 percent of ratings are five stars
Cons
- Capture plate sold separately and required
- Locking handle wobbles and cannot be positively locked
- Some units arrive with puck brackets that need machining
This is the Ford puck answer in the roundup, and it pairs a factory-style install with a real 14-inch automatic slide. Thirty reviews at 4.7 stars with 85 percent five-star sounds strong until you notice the distribution is sharply split, with only 2 percent at one star.
Rated to 20000 lb max gross trailer weight and 5000 lb max pin weight, it drops into the Ford factory puck system with no bed rails and no drilling. The mounting post assemblies are completely removable, so the whole hitch comes out for installation or for clearing the bed.
Owners upgrading from a 16K puck mount report a quick install and a slide that works well. At 5000 lb of pin capacity, it suits heavier Class IV trailers where pin weight is the limiting number rather than gross trailer weight.
The automatic slide handles short-bed clearance, and the self-closing locking jaw removes the need to re-check a handle after every tight turn. For a Ford owner with pucks who wants both the factory look and short-bed freedom, that combination is rare.
Inspect the puck brackets on arrival
Several owners report that puck brackets arrived out of alignment and needed machining before the hitch would seat. This is the most common installation complaint in the reviews, and it is a ten-minute check that prevents a shop visit.
The capture plate required to activate the sliding cam is sold separately, so plan for it as a second order rather than assuming it is in the box.
Handle security and the long-term question
The locking handle wobbles and cannot be positively locked in place. If your trailer parks overnight in view of a lot, or in a place where someone could reach the handle, that is a real limitation compared with a hitch that locks down.
One of the two one-star reviews describes a structural weld failure of the upper plate to the shaft at roughly five and a half years of use, with the reviewer stating that warranty coverage was declined on an Amazon purchase. One report is not a pattern, but it is a reason to buy through an authorized dealer if you can, and it is worth weighing against the 77-review B&W with a limited lifetime warranty.
How to Choose a Fifth Wheel Hitch for Your Pickup
Start with three numbers and the decision gets easy. You need your trailer’s loaded weight, your truck’s payload rating, and the cab-to-axle distance in your bed. Everything else follows from those.
Match gross trailer weight first. The hitch GTW rating must exceed the loaded weight of your trailer, not its dry weight or its GVWR label alone. A 20000 lb hitch on a 19500 lb trailer is technically within rating and practically a bad idea. Leave margin, and expect to use more of it than you think once tanks are full and the pin box is loaded.
Budget payload honestly. This is where most owners get caught. The hitch itself is dead weight, the pin weight lands on the rear axle, and then there is cargo, water, propane, and firewood. Add the hitch weight and the loaded pin weight to everything you plan to carry, then compare that sum to the payload sticker on your driver door jamb. Trucks with a 16K hitch in the bed can lose a meaningful slice of their payload rating to the hitch alone.
Measure cab-to-axle distance, do not guess. This is the number that decides whether you need a slider. Measure from the back of the cab to the truck’s rear axle center, then compare that to where the hitch and pin box will sit with the trailer connected. Allow for the trailer’s front overhang, not just the pin box. A margin under about 6 inches means you need a slider regardless of what brand you prefer.
Pick the architecture that matches the bed. A fixed hitch is simplest and cheapest, and it is the right answer for a long bed with a standard pin box. A slider moves the kingpin rearward on turns and is the right answer for a short bed or a tall pin box. A single point or ball-and-cup coupler couples to a gooseball in the bed and gives the tightest turning radius. An air hitch adds suspension compliance at the pin box, which smooths the ride, at the cost of servicing and unsprung mass.
Confirm the mounting hardware before you buy the hitch. A puck system, which is common on factory-prepared GM and Ford beds, is a drop-in with no drilling. A base rail kit bolts to the bed and is what most older pickups need. Check which one your bed has, and check whether your rails are industry standard or an older universal pattern, because some hitches will not fit older universal rails at all. Mismatched hardware is one of the most common reasons a hitch ends up in a return pile.
Ask the frame warranty question in writing. OEM truck buyers worry about drilling or modifying the frame, and they are right to. A puck drop-in leaves the frame untouched. A bolted rail kit generally bolts to the bed rather than the frame. Drilling into frame rails is the category of modification most likely to raise questions, so avoid it unless the hitch cannot be mounted any other way. Get the dealer’s answer on your specific model year in writing before the install.
Buy through an authorized dealer when you can. Warranties on hitches with long coverage periods often depend on the purchase channel. Forum owners consistently treat an authorized dealer purchase as part of the safety net, and it is cheap insurance when a warranty claim is the difference between a repair and a replacement.
Budget for the safety gear and the maintenance. A fifth wheel hitch needs safety chains and a breakaway kit with a pre-wired switch, and many jurisdictions require both. On the maintenance side, grease the jaw and the ball on a schedule, clean the slide rails at least once a season, and check the jaw and handle for wear before every trip. If you are buying used, inspect the jaw for uneven wear, the handle for a positive lock, the pin box mounting bolts for corrosion, and the slide rails for scoring. Replace anything with a bent bracket or a jaw that has been gouged, and check that a model-specific capture plate is available before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all fifth wheel hitches the same size?
No. Fifth wheel hitches differ in three main ways: capacity, mounting, and moving parts. Capacity ranges from about 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of gross trailer weight. Mounting is either fixed rails, a factory puck system, or a single point ball connection. Moving parts mean a fixed head or a slider that shifts the kingpin rearward in turns. The jaw opening and kingpin capture also differ, which is why some heads do not work with articulating pin boxes.
Which 5th wheel auto slider hitch is the best?
For heavy short-bed trailers, the PullRite 2900 SuperGlide is the strongest pick here, with 14 inches of fully automatic slide, a 20,000 pound rating, and a self-closing locking jaw. On Ford puck trucks the PullRite 2914 adds the same slide to a factory puck install. For lighter trailers the PullRite 2700 does the job at a 15,000 pound rating. All three need a separately sold capture plate to activate the sliding cam.
What size truck do you need to pull a 20,000 lb fifth wheel?
You need a truck whose payload rating covers three things at once: the weight of the hitch in the bed, the loaded pin weight, and everything you carry. A loaded fifth wheel commonly puts 4,000 to 5,000 pounds of pin weight on the rear axle, so a 20,000 pound trailer realistically needs a heavy-duty pickup in the 10,000 pound payload range or better. Check the payload sticker on the driver door jamb, not the towing capacity in the brochure.
What is better, a gooseneck hitch or a fifth wheel hitch?
A gooseneck hitch puts the trailer weight low in the bed, giving better stability and better fuel economy, but it needs a ball installed in the bed and it takes up bed length. A fifth wheel hitch is far easier to connect, works with far more trailers, and can be removed to free the bed. If you already have a puck or ball prepped bed and tow heavy loads often, a gooseneck setup has real advantages.
Does a fifth wheel hitch void my truck frame warranty?
It depends entirely on how it is mounted. A factory puck system drop-in leaves the frame untouched and is the cleanest option. A bolted base rail kit attaches to the bed rather than the frame and is generally fine. Drilling into or modifying frame rails is the modification most likely to raise warranty questions. Ask your dealer about your specific model year and get the answer in writing before installation.
Conclusion: The Best Fifth Wheel Hitches for Pickup Trucks
The CURT E16 is the best fifth wheel hitch for pickup trucks overall, with 301 reviews behind it and owners who keep reporting the same durable strengths: a forgiving dual-axis pivot and a genuinely quiet tow. Buy the CURT Q20 if your loaded trailer runs past 16000 lb or you want the quietest head in the group, and buy the Andersen 3200 if weight and one-person handling decide your day.
Short-bed owners should go straight to an automatic slider rather than a fixed head, and puck-bed owners should pick the hitch that matches their truck make. Whichever one you choose, measure the cab clearance, count the hitch weight against your payload, and grease it on a schedule. These picks were compared and updated for 2026, and the numbers on each page come from the manufacturer and owner data listed with the product.