5th Wheel Hitch

Mikey · 04-11-2007, 05:29 PM

I'm looking for the "right" hitch for my 2007 MS 36TK3 - 18,500 axles
Trail-Aire suspension and pin
Truck - 2008 F450 Crew Cab Dually 8' box

My Canadian dealer is suggesting a Star Performance 5th Wheel Hitch
Website - http://www.sphitch.com/default.htm

Comments please (and thank you)

also posted in Hitches / Suspension, but not much traffic

billr · 04-11-2007, 06:31 PM

Mike,

Take a look at the Trailer saver Rigid 26K from Hensley. They are great to deal with and they are just a drive across the MI border to avoid customs and shipping.

It has a Holland Binkley head, very good solid unit. If you don't need air ride, since you have the Trailair pinbox, check it out.

This is what we went with after we wore out the Reese.

http://www.trailersaver.com/rigidhitches_26k.php

Cheers,
Bill

Carny Bill · 04-11-2007, 08:13 PM

I have the trailer saver hitch which uses the Holland head. Maybe it is a proffessional head, but a royal pain to use. It must have the handle in a specific location or it will not lock and you must keep track of a hook and handle that both come off and are very easy to loose. Just MHO.

sigo'suite · 04-11-2007, 10:11 PM

I'd sure have to do some more research before I could buy into that setup.

First off I'd have to talk to Trail Air and get their opinion.

Bottom line, on first blush, I don't like it.

Looks like you got a beautiful set-up in the works and I would do a lot more homework on the hitch purchase.

JMHO

Hope you enjoy your rig as much as we have enjoyed ours to date.

larry hutto · 04-11-2007, 10:26 PM

I see you got yourself a nice new 2008 450. I am setting now in Houston. My truck has been dropped off at the railyard and I am waiting to have it transported to the dealer. Seems this is a problem with the 450 and it may take a week or more for it to get 20 miles. I am like a little kid all over waiting for it.
I have a new pullrite 25.5 waiting to be installed once I get it. to pull my MS. I have had the low profile version since 99 and have pulled my trailers a total of 150865 miles with it and had good service. Had to replace springs once and pullrite was great in getting them to me.

Have a nice Day

larry

rverdlm · 04-12-2007, 09:10 AM

I'll put my 2 cents in here. I agree completely with billr and disagree with Bill. I have the Holland /Binkley head and of the 3 hitches I've had it is clearly the best. Easiest to unlock under any condition and has the most solid hookup. I would never go back to any hitch that has the Reese style jaws.

Motor31 · 04-12-2007, 09:34 AM

I have had both a Reese and a Trailer Saver style hitch.

The trailer saver has the holland style plate and uses a hook and bar to operate the locking mechanism prior to hitching or for unhitching. It also has a pair of jaws that encircle the pin for a very positive lock up. It can get fussy on locking if the grease gets hard or the mechanism gets dry. I have found it to be very easy to unhitch and keep it lubed to avoid problems hooking up. I've also replaced the main pivot bolt the mounts the head mechanism to the main support. It sheared but still maintained control of the hitch.

The Reese was a smaller style and had a transverse locking bar that slid across the pin slot to lock the pin in place. Very easy to see it it had locked up and it was not sensitive to dirt in operation. It wasn't quite as easy to unhitch especially if there was any rearward pressure on the hitch but not too bad.

Whichever hitch you get I'd strongly recomend you get a 4 way flex head on it so that it will pivot side to side as well as fore and aft. Also get one that has more capacity than the load you'll put on it. It your trailer is 18,500 lbs, get a 20,000 lb minimum hitch.

ponch · 04-12-2007, 09:48 AM

Although probably the most expensive the Air hitch is also probably the best.

I also would never go back to a hitch that didn't have a brinkly head.

www.airhitechnology.com

Ponch

billr · 04-12-2007, 02:52 PM

I agree with all the comments here on the Holland head, I too have no problem locking or unlocking. Yes you do have to keep track of the extra bar and hook, and thought at first what's this?? But after using for a while, no sweat. I also had no problems with the Reese except it wasn't up to the task for the heavy trailer, wore out the jaws and all the linkage parts that make the jaws work and stay closed. I have replaced all the parts to re-sell the hitch in good condition.

4 way articulating head is the only way to go, been stuck before with an old style RBW for and aft only.

Mike, if you decide to go with any of the Air ride hitches, (they are a real good choice) you may want to do away with the Trail Air pin box and go to the standard solid pin box. With both, you will have two air systems working against each other. If you speak with Dale at Trail Air, I believe he will back that up.

If I didn't already have the Trail Air pin box, I would have went with the Trailersaver Air Ride hitch.

Cheers,
Bill

ponch · 04-12-2007, 07:51 PM

On the Air Ride Hitch I do not have to remove the extension handle or the hook.

Ponch

Gemstone · 05-02-2007, 10:37 AM

Is anyone using a McCall air hitch ? If so, comments ?

Regards
Gemstone

2 DA WDS · 05-02-2007, 11:08 AM

Another question.

I just installed a Road Tamer air suspension, completely replacing the rear springs. I know years ago air bag suspension and air ride seats in semis did not work well together and was wondering if air hitches and/or air pin boxes would.

billr · 05-02-2007, 03:49 PM

Tom,

Send a msg to Bonnie and Lex, they did the same thing on their 450, and I think Dale had them swap out the airide pin box for a standard one??

Sounds like your getting set to head to Branson?? Hope so, especially with your troubles of late! Looking forward to seeing you both again. Good travels.

Cheers,
Bill

sigo'suite · 05-02-2007, 10:09 PM

This was my choice for use with the TrailAir hitch. Upgraded just today.
Got concerned since my Hidden Hitch 18K was at max capacity. It had been purchased for use with my previous coach.
They are currently selling at reduced price in an effort to get some out on the road. 7 year warranty isn't too shabby either. I put the etrailer link up since they give some really good pics of it. Another site had it for $479.

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-5WH~16125.htm

http://www.curtmfg.com/index.cfm?eve...&categoryid=38

Motor31 · 05-03-2007, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2 DA WDS

Another question.

I just installed a Road Tamer air suspension, completely replacing the rear springs. I know years ago air bag suspension and air ride seats in semis did not work well together and was wondering if air hitches and/or air pin boxes would.

I don't know why you say that the air bags and air ride seats don't work well together. I have air bags on the drive axles. air bags on the cab and air seats in our tow rig and they work very well together. It's a smoother ride than we got from our F350 we used to have both towing and bob tail.

Partimer · 05-10-2007, 10:33 PM

I also felt Curt was the best for me, I had a 16K Reese which I changed out for a Curt Q5 20K slider. I found mine online at rvexit they had the best price. Haven't had a chance to try it out on a trip yet. Will be on the road week after next heading into Howe, IN for some warranty work
the middle of June.

http://www.rvexit.com

Partimer · 05-10-2007, 10:35 PM

I also felt Curt was the best for me, I had a 16K Reese which I changed out for a Curt Q5 20K slider. I found mine online at rvexit they had the best price. Haven't had a chance to try it out on a trip yet. Will be on the road week after next heading into Howe, IN for some warranty work
the middle of June.

http://www.rvexit.com