How to Choose the Right 5th-Wheel Hitch for Your Truck

Picking the perfect 5th-wheel hitch doesn’t have to be complicated. Just keep these five key factors in mind, and you’ll be confident on the road in no time!

1. Know Your Truck’s Towing Capacity

Before anything else, check your truck’s towing capacity—this is the maximum weight it can safely tow. You’ll also need to know the gross trailer weight, which is the fully loaded weight of your 5th-wheel trailer. Your hitch should meet or exceed your truck’s towing capacity, ensuring a safe and smooth towing experience.

2. Measure Your Truck Bed Length

Your truck bed length determines how much clearance you’ll have when towing. If you have a short-bed truck, you may need a slider hitch to prevent your trailer from hitting the cab. This is more common with an extra short bed such as a Ram mega cab. The shorter standard bed trucks offered on later model GM and Ford models  are 6’ 9” and often provide plenty of turning clearance without a slider. If you have an 8’ bed, turning clearance is not an issue, no matter what hitch you use.

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3. Check for a Puck System

Some trucks have a built-in puck system, a factory-installed mounting platform for easy hitch installation. If you own a Ford, GMC, Nissan, or Ram, your truck might already have this system. If it does, you can drop in a compatible hitch. If not, you’ll need base rails.

4. Decide on Permanent or Removable Rails

If your truck doesn’t have a puck system, you’ll need to install base rails to mount your hitch. You can choose:
✅ Permanent rails – Sturdy and cost-effective but stay in place even when not towing.
✅ Removable rails – More versatile and leave a cleaner truck bed when not in use.

5. Pick the Best Hitch for Your Needs

Now it’s time to choose your hitch! Look at weight capacity, ease of use, and extra features like cushioning for a smoother ride. Need help deciding? Check out our selection of 5th-wheel hitches to find the perfect match for your truck and towing needs.