A fifth wheel hitch is a horseshoe-shaped coupling that clamps around a trailer kingpin and spreads pin weight across the rear axle instead of concentrating it on a single ball. Picking the wrong one for your bed length or trailer weight is how people end up with a cab strike in a parking lot or a sway problem on a hill. We spent weeks going through the spec sheets, the owner reviews, and the forum threads that dominate the search results for this topic to sort out what actually works.
Our answer up front: the B&W 25K Companion OEM is the best fifth wheel hitch for pickup trucks in 2026 because it drops straight into the factory puck bed, carries a 25,000 lb gross trailer weight rating with 6,250 lb of vertical load, and holds the highest average rating in this group at 4.8 across 77 reviews. If your truck has no puck system, the CURT Q20 is the value pick, and short-bed owners who hate slider alignment usually end up on the PullRite 2600 SuperLite.
That is three different answers because fifth wheel hitches are not interchangeable products. One fits factory pucks, one needs above-bed base rails, one slides automatically, and one is a single point ball that you can hook up from any angle without ever looking behind you. Everything below is written so you can match your actual trailer, your actual bed, and your actual hitch height.
We also omitted one hitch that dominates forum conversation. The Andersen Ultimate is the brand people argue about most on MyGrandRV and DuramaxForum, and those threads center on structural failures and what happens after the two year limited warranty expires. We did not find enough verified specification data on it to rank it honestly, so it is not in the list.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Fifth Wheel Hitches for Pickup Trucks in 2026
- All Nine Best Fifth Wheel Hitches for Pickup Trucks in 2026
- 1. B&W 25K Companion OEM Hitch – Best Overall for GM Puck Trucks
- 2. CURT E16 5th Wheel Hitch – Best Entry-Level Articulating Hitch
- 3. CURT Q20 5th Wheel Hitch – Best Value 20,000 lb Hitch
- 4. CURT A16 5th Wheel Hitch – Best for Uneven Campsites
- 5. CURT A25 5th Wheel Hitch – Best Articulating Hitch at 25,000 lb
- 6. PullRite 2700 15K Superglide – Best Slider for Light Fifth Wheels
- 7. PullRite 2900 Superglide – Best Automatic Slider for Short Beds
- 8. PullRite 2914 OE Puck SuperGlide – Best for Ford Puck Trucks
- 9. PullRite 2600 SuperLite – Best Single Point Hitch for Short Beds
- How to Choose a Fifth Wheel Hitch for Your Truck
- Gross trailer weight, pin weight, and what each number controls
- Fixed, sliding, pivoting, or single point
- Short beds, tail swing, and cab clearance
- Will an aftermarket hitch void my truck’s frame warranty
- Base rails, puck systems, and the hitch kit you actually need
- Installation, maintenance, and safety gear
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Verdict: Which Fifth Wheel Hitch Fits Your Truck
Top 3 Fifth Wheel Hitches for Pickup Trucks in 2026
B&W 25K Companion OEM
- 25000 lb GTW
- 6250 lb VTW
- Fits 2020-2026 GM factory puck system
- Fully articulating head
- Limited lifetime warranty
CURT Q20
- 20000 lb GTW
- 5000 lb vertical load
- SAE J2638 tested
- Three position coupling indicator
CURT E16
- Dual axis pivot with about 10 degrees of movement
- Single handle automatic lock
- Anti rattle skid plate
- Kingpin extension box compatible
All Nine Best Fifth Wheel Hitches for Pickup Trucks in 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| B&W 25K Companion OEM |
|
Check Price |
| CURT E16 5th Wheel Hitch |
|
Check Price |
| CURT Q20 5th Wheel Hitch |
|
Check Price |
 CURT A16 5th Wheel Hitch |
|
Check Price |
 CURT A25 5th Wheel Hitch |
|
Check Price |
 PullRite 2700 15K Superglide |
|
Check Price |
 PullRite 2900 Superglide |
|
Check Price |
 PullRite 2914 OE Puck SuperGlide |
|
Check Price |
 PullRite 2600 SuperLite |
|
Check Price |
1. B&W 25K Companion OEM Hitch – Best Overall 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 vertical load
2020-2026 GM puck fit
Limited lifetime warranty
Pros
- Drops into the 2020-2026 Chevrolet and GM factory puck system with no modifications
- Fully articulating head pivots front to back and side to side
- Cam action latch releases easily on unlevel campsites
- 25000 lb GTW and 6250 lb VTW ratings
- Made in America with a limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Requires the GM OEM puck system so it is not a universal fit
- Heavy to lift in and out of the bed
- A few owners report the cam latch is awkward to unlock at an angle
On Forest River Forums, when owners ask which fifth wheel hitch they would buy again, the answer that keeps coming back is the B&W Companion. One RiverStone owner wrote that it is hard to beat the B&W Companion hitch, and many RiverStone owners are using them for their rigs. That kind of repeat recommendation, backed by the highest average rating in this lineup, is why we put it first.
The Companion is a puck-system hitch. It is not a base rail kit, and it is not universal. If your truck bed has a factory puck array drilled by the manufacturer, this unit drops into those holes with no drilling, no welding, and no bed rails. The head is fully articulating in both directions, which means it tolerates a campsite that is not level without loading the kingpin sideways.
The numbers are where it separates from the pack: 25,000 lb GTW and 6,250 lb of vertical load capacity. That vertical figure matters more than most buyers realize, because it is the number that decides whether your trailer can legally live in your truck. A trailer that weighs 24,000 lb fully loaded typically puts 3,600 lb or so on the kingpin, and heavier pin boxes push that higher. At 6,250 lb, this hitch has the deepest pin weight ceiling of the group.
The cam-action latching handle releases even when the truck and trailer are parked on a real campsite slope, and it breaks into two pieces so you can lift it into position without recruiting three neighbors. The warranty is limited lifetime, which is a meaningfully different commitment than the 30 day contact-us policy several PullRite models carry.
How it fits a GM truck with factory pucks
Fit is the entire story with this hitch. A 2020 through 2026 Chevrolet or GM truck with the OEM puck system is a clean install. The same hitch on a truck with no puck holes means you are back to a full rail or puck conversion before anything else happens, which changes the cost of the package considerably.
If your bed was previously set up for a gooseneck ball, inspect the old ball hole and any reinforcement plate before ordering. That rail and bolt pattern is a different mounting strategy than the puck array, and installers consistently find leftover hardware in these beds.
Where owners report trouble
The complaints are narrow rather than structural. The recurring notes are unlocking difficulty at an odd angle and at least one delivery that arrived with missing hardware, which is a supplier issue rather than a design flaw. Lift weight is the other honest drawback: this is a heavy steel assembly, and loading it solo is a two-person job in most beds.
Verdict: buy it if you have GM factory pucks and want the highest pin weight ceiling available with the least installation work. Skip it if you have to fabricate a mounting solution first, in which case a rail-based hitch below will serve you better and cost you nothing in convenience.
2. CURT E16 5th Wheel Hitch – Best Entry-Level Articulating Hitch
CURT 16115 E16 5th Wheel Hitch, 16,000 lbs
16000 lb class
Alloy steel
95.1 lb
Powder coated finish
Pros
- Dual axis pivot gives about 10 degrees of lateral movement
- Single handle automatic locking operation
- Anti rattle skid plate helps reduce towing noise
- Works with kingpin extension boxes including pivoting pin boxes
- 301 reviews give it the widest owner history of any hitch here
Cons
- 16000 lb rating leaves less margin than the heavier models
- Heavier and bulkier than single point attachment alternatives
The E16 has the largest review base of anything we looked at, 301 reviews averaging 4.4. That matters for a safety critical component, because a long owner history tells you how a hitch behaves after a few seasons of road vibration rather than after one weekend.
This is a pivoting bed hitch. The head moves on two axes, giving about 10 degrees of lateral movement, and it locks automatically with a single handle once the kingpin drops into the jaw. That combination is what lets you back into a crooked site without fighting the alignment, which is the single biggest time saver in RV campground life.
Owners frequently mention that the noise level dropped noticeably compared with an older hitch they replaced, and the anti-rattle skid plate gets credit for that. The E16 also accepts kingpin extension boxes, including the common pivoting pin boxes, so you are not locked into one trailer brand if you later change campers.
The 16,000 lb class is the tradeoff to think through. It is enough for a mid-size travel trailer fifth wheel and plenty of small to medium equipment trailers, but it does not have the headroom for a loaded 20,000 lb unit. Owners who upgraded beyond this class ended up in the A16 or Q20 instead.
What 16,000 lb actually covers
Gross trailer weight is the loaded number on the trailer’s GVWR sticker, not the empty weight. Most travel trailer fifth wheels land between 12,000 and 18,000 lb when loaded, so the E16 covers the lower half of that range well. Equipment trailers with a single rear axle often fall right into the same window.
Pin weight should land between 15 and 20 percent of the loaded trailer, so a 16,000 lb trailer puts roughly 2,400 to 3,200 lb on the kingpin. Budget that against your rear axle rating after the hitch, the weight distribution hitch, passengers, and cargo. Owners who discover this math late are the ones who end up with overloaded rear axles and a tail that sways.
Where the E16 falls short
Two things stand out. At 95.1 pounds it is not a lightweight unit, so lifting it out for bed access takes real effort, and the 16,000 lb ceiling removes the option of moving up in trailer size later without replacing the hitch. Pin-style security is fine, but this is not a hitch you can lock and forget.
Verdict: the E16 is the pick if you tow a mid-size fifth wheel, want a pivoting head, and want the benefit of hundreds of owners who have already stress tested the design. Move up a class if your trailer is loaded near 18,000 lb.
3. CURT Q20 5th Wheel Hitch – Best Value 20,000 lb Hitch
CURT 16130 Q20 5th Wheel Hitch, 20,000 lbs, Black
20000 lb GTW
5000 lb vertical load
SAE J2638 tested
140 lb alloy steel
Pros
- Spherical axial bearing lets the head tilt in any direction for very quiet towing
- Three position coupling indicator shows coupled uncoupled or ready to tow
- Lockable single short throw handle
- Tested and rated to 20000 lb GTW and 5000 lb vertical load to SAE J2638
- Fits any industry standard fifth wheel base rails
Cons
- Not compatible with articulating or turret style pin boxes such as Rota-Flex and Sidewinder
- Heavy at 140 pounds to lift in and out of the bed
- Base rails and brackets are sold separately
The Q20 is the one we send people to when they want a proven 20,000 lb hitch that fits standard rails. It holds a 4.7 average across 124 reviews, the largest sample of any hitch in this group rated that high, and the ratings skew heavily positive rather than being propped up by a few enthusiastic posts.
The head sits on a spherical axial bearing, so it tilts in any direction rather than pivoting on a single plane. Reviewers call it the quietest hitch they have used, and the cushioned swivel noticeably cuts vibration compared with older Reese units. If your complaint about your current hitch is noise transmitted through the bed, this is the part that fixes it.
The three position coupling indicator is an underrated feature. It tells you whether the hitch is uncoupled, coupled, or locked and ready to tow, which removes the guesswork of reading a handle angle in bad light. Several owners also report that CURT customer service quickly replaced a unit that had an early grease track defect, which tells you something about how the brand handles a warranty claim in practice.
It fits any industry standard fifth wheel base rails, which is the standard rail pattern these rail-mounted hitches use. Rails and brackets are sold separately, so plan for that as a separate line in the install budget rather than a surprise at the hitch store.
Pin box compatibility, the part people miss
The Q20 does not work with articulating or turret style pin boxes such as the Rota-Flex or a Sidewinder pin box. That is not a flaw, it is a design choice tied to the spherical bearing, but it can end a purchase if your trailer uses a flexible pin box. Check your trailer pin box type before anything else, and confirm it with the trailer manufacturer rather than the dealer.
For a conventional pin box on a standard rail setup, the Q20 fits almost anything you can put on a truck bed. At 140 pounds it is a two person lift, so plan the removal schedule around having help rather than trying to wrestle it out alone.
Where owners report trouble
Beyond the pin box limitation, the complaints are about handling rather than function. It is heavy, and the rails are an extra purchase. A fixed head also has less give on a badly out of level site than the fully articulating models in this list, which is the trade you make for a quieter, stiffer connection.
Verdict: the Q20 is the value pick for a rail-based 20,000 lb setup. It has the best ratio of verified rating to owner history among the rail-compatible hitches here, and the coupling indicator is a genuine safety gain.
4. CURT A16 5th Wheel Hitch – Best for Uneven Campsites
CURT 16120 A16 5th Wheel Hitch, 16,000 lbs.
16000 lb class
Fully articulating torsion head
Cast yoke with poly torsion inserts
Extra wide head opening
Pros
- Fully articulating torsion head makes coupling easy on uneven ground
- Cast yoke with poly torsion inserts absorbs shock loads and cuts noise
- Interlocking jaws fully wrap the kingpin for a quiet ride
- Lockable handle self resets to the ready to couple position
- Extra wide head opening simplifies coupling
Cons
- Handle locks with a pin rather than a standard padlock
- More noticeable movement than a fixed head hitch
- Older universal rails may need replacing
The A16 is the hitch for people who camp in the mountains. Its fully articulating torsion head and cast yoke with poly-torsion inserts absorb impact and vibration so effectively that owners describe the tow as flat rather than harsh, and it couples reliably on slopes and badly out of level sites.
The poly-torsion inserts are the piece that separates it from a plain pivot. Rather than a hard steel yoke taking the shock load, the inserts take it first, which cuts both noise and the amount of load that reaches the jaws over time. High-strength interlocking jaws wrap the kingpin completely, and the extra wide head opening means you do not need a perfect alignment to hook up.
Two practical details keep coming up. The head separates from the base, so once you uncouple you can carry it out and use the bed for something else, which matters more than it sounds if you carry bikes or a generator. The lockable handle also self resets to the ready to couple position after you uncouple, so you are not re-rigging a jammed handle every time.
The tradeoff is movement. Owners report more noticeable motion than a fixed head hitch, which is the direct cost of that suspension. On a smooth highway that is an advantage. In a crosswind with a tall pin box, some drivers prefer the firmer feel of the Q20.
Does the A16 work with older bed rails
Sometimes. Owners with older universal rail kits report needing to replace them, because rail spacing and mounting pattern have varied over the years and some older kits do not line up cleanly. Verify your rail spacing against the A16 mounting pattern before you buy, and plan on a fresh rail kit if yours is more than a few years old.
The pin style lock on the handle is the other practical note. It does not accept a standard padlock, which some owners see as less secure. If you park the trailer in exposed areas, add a separate king pin lock rather than relying on the handle lock alone.
Where owners report trouble
The complaints cluster around the head feeling loose after extended use on rough roads, and around fastener sizing on older rail kits. Neither is a structural failure mode. The poly-torsion design is doing its job, but it is a suspension, and suspension parts do wear.
Verdict: the A16 is our pick when your camping or job sites are uneven more often than they are flat, or when cabin noise is wearing you down. It suits the same 16,000 lb trailer class as the E16 but isolates shock far better.
5. CURT A25 5th Wheel Hitch – Best Articulating Hitch at 25,000 lb
CURT 16180 A25 5th Wheel Hitch, 25,000 lbs.
25000 lb capacity
127 lb
Cast steel main body
Universal fit
Pros
- 25000 lb capacity in a relatively compact articulating hitch
- Fully articulating torsion head for controlled coupling
- Cast steel main body and interlocking cast jaws wrap the kingpin
- Poly torsion inserts absorb shock loads
- Lockable handle self resets after uncoupling
Cons
- Heavy at 127 pounds in its class
- Only 36 customer reviews so the long term record is thin
- Universal rail kit is a separate purchase
The A25 answers the question the A16 cannot: how do you get a fully articulating head at 25,000 lb? The cast steel main body carries the higher rating, the torsion head keeps the shock isolation, and the whole package still fits inside a standard bed without the overhang you get with some sliders.
The review base is the catch. Thirty-six reviews at a 4.4 average is the thinnest sample here, and the slightly lower average reflects a handful of one and two star experiences rather than one recurring complaint. That is a real difference from the Q20, which has more than three times the owner history.
What owners do praise matches the A16 feedback almost exactly: quiet articulating design, forgiving coupling on uneven ground, and poly-torsion inserts that flatten the ride. The cast jaws wrapping the kingpin completely is the same noise-control approach, just built for a heavier duty class.
Buyers moving up from 16K to 20K and beyond tend to choose this as the step-up, and the articulating head means you do not have to give up easy coupling to get the extra capacity. That combination is rarer in this product class than it should be.
What 25,000 lb demands from your truck
A 25,000 lb rated hitch only helps if the truck behind it can carry the load. You need a truck with a tow rating and a rear axle rating above the loaded trailer, and you need remaining payload to cover the hitch, the weight distribution hitch, passengers, and cargo. Hitch weight alone is 127 pounds here before anything else is added.
Pin weight at that trailer weight runs 3,750 to 5,000 lb, and that load sits directly over the rear axle. That is where half-ton trucks simply run out of numbers, which is why we would put a one-ton or heavy three-quarter-ton behind anything in this capacity class.
Where owners report trouble
With a sample this size, the honest read is that the pattern is positive but the confidence is low. Lift weight at 127 pounds is the practical issue owners mention most, and the thin review base means there is not a long track record of this specific casting in service yet.
Verdict: choose the A25 when you need articulating isolation and 25,000 lb of capacity in the same unit. If you do not need the articulation, the CURT Q20 gets you to 20,000 lb with far more owner history, and the B&W Companion covers 25,000 lb if your truck has GM pucks.
6. PullRite 2700 15K Superglide – Best Slider for Light Fifth Wheels
Pulliam 2700 15K Superglide Short Bed Hitch for Industry Standard Base Rail
15000 lb rating
177 lb
Automatic fore and aft slide
Industry standard base rails
Pros
- Automatic slide handles short bed cab clearance without a manual pull
- Designed to clear the cab without slider overhang
- Fits industry standard fifth wheel base rails
- Locking jaw closes around the kingpin
Cons
- 15000 lb is the lowest capacity rating among the rail hitches here
- Very heavy at 177 pounds
- Requires matching base rails installed in the bed
- Lowest average rating in the group with a high share of one star reviews
The 2700 does the single most valuable thing a slider can do: it moves the hitch head toward the cab automatically when the trailer turns in, so the trailer nose clears the cab without you thinking about it. Owners who run short beds value that behavior more than any spec on the page.
It achieves that with a short, compact slider carriage rather than the long overhang of a manual slider, which preserves usable bed length. It fits industry standard fifth wheel base rails, so it works in a bed already set up for rails rather than requiring pucks.
The rating tells the harder part of the story. A 4.2 across 58 reviews is the lowest average in this lineup, and a noticeable share of one star reviews drags it down. The stated feature list on the listing is also thinner than the competing hitches, which usually means fewer documented details about how the unit is built.
At 177 pounds, this is one of the heaviest hitches here despite carrying a lower capacity rating than most. That is an unusual combination, and owners cite the steel construction as both the reason it feels solid and the reason it is a two person lift.
Whether 15,000 lb is enough for your trailer
For a small to mid-size travel trailer fifth wheel in the 12,000 to 15,000 lb loaded range, yes. Pin weight runs 2,250 to 3,000 lb in that band, which is comfortably inside what a three-quarter or one-ton truck handles with a weight distribution hitch. Above 15,000 lb loaded, you are past the rating and into the Q20 or a slider at the 20,000 lb class.
Also confirm your base rail spacing. The 2700 is an industry standard rail hitch, so it needs rails already in the bed and matching the mounting pattern. Budget the rail kit separately if your truck has never had one.
Where owners report trouble
The one star reviews are worth reading rather than skimming. They cluster on weight and rating rather than on the slider mechanism, which suggests the design does what it claims. If you are moving beyond light fifth wheels, the low capacity ceiling becomes the deciding factor anyway.
Verdict: the 2700 is a sensible choice for a short bed owner towing a genuinely light fifth wheel who has a rail bed already. If your trailer is heavier or you want more owner history behind the unit, spend the step up on the 2900.
7. PullRite 2900 Superglide – Best Automatic Slider for Short Beds
PULLRITE Pulliam Enterprises 2900 Superglide 20,000
20000 lb rating
14 inch automatic slide
18.5 inch hitch plate height
Standard base rail fit
Pros
- 14 inches of fully automatic slide makes coupling easy on uneven ground
- Locking jaw closes automatically around the kingpin
- 20000 lb trailer weight rating
- Slider format preserves bed length and cab clearance on a short bed
Cons
- A capture plate is required to activate the sliding cam and is not included
- Only fits standard base rail installations
- Heavier handling than a fixed head hitch
The 2900 is the slider to beat for short beds. It carries 14 inches of fully automatic slide, so the head moves on its own as the trailer articulates, and the locking jaw closes itself around the kingpin once you back into place. Most reviews are five star, with 81 percent of ratings at the top.
That eliminates the most common complaint about sliders, which is that they require near perfect alignment and a second person to guide. Coupling happens from a range of positions, and the jaw does the securing without a lever fight.
At 18.5 inches to the top of the hitch plate, height is the number to check against your trailer. Pin box height varies between manufacturers and between models, and if your kingpin sits low you can end up with the trailer nose over the bed rail or a clearance problem at install. Owners have reported that exact scenario, with a replacement hitch sent under warranty once the geometry was sorted out.
One accessory is mandatory and easy to miss. A capture plate is required to activate the sliding cam, and it is not included. Owners repeatedly flag this, so treat it as part of the purchase rather than a future upgrade.
How much slider play is too much
A slider is a wear item, and knowing when to replace one matters. Manufacturer allowable play is roughly one eighth to three eighths of an inch, and that is the number to measure against. One owner described a fifth wheel that rocked back and forth about less than half an inch on the slider, which is past the acceptable range and means the sliders or capture plates need service.
If your hitch moves noticeably at the kingpin, do not assume it is normal wear to live with. Measure the play, compare it to that one eighth to three eighths inch window, and inspect the slider tracks for galling. A sticking slider also binds under load and increases sway.
Where owners report trouble
Beyond the missing capture plate, the pattern is positive. Rail compatibility is the limitation that decides purchases: this fits standard base rail installations only, so it is not an option for a puck bed or a plastic bed liner setup.
Verdict: the 2900 is the best automatic slider here for a short bed with a rail setup towing up to 20,000 lb. Buy the capture plate in the same order and verify pin box height against the 18.5 inch hitch plate before installation day.
8. PullRite 2914 OE Puck SuperGlide – Best for Ford Puck Trucks
PullRite 2914 OE Puck Series SuperGlide Hitch 20K for Ford, Black
20000 lb GTW
5000 lb pin weight
Ford factory puck fit
14 inch automatic slide
Pros
- 14 inches of fully automatic slide couples from any angle
- Mounting post assemblies are fully removable for easier bed access
- 20000 lb GTW and 5000 lb pin weight capacity
- Owners upgrading from 16K to 20K on Ford puck trucks report satisfaction
Cons
- Capture plate for the sliding cam arm is sold separately
- Heaviest unit in this group at 216 pounds
- Restricted to Ford factory puck applications
- Some owners report puck brackets that need machining and a handle with no positive lock
The 2914 is a slider built for the Ford factory puck bed. It combines 20,000 lb GTW and 5,000 lb of pin weight capacity with the same 14 inches of automatic slide as the 2900, and it drops into the factory puck array rather than a bed rail system.
At 4.7 across 30 reviews, the average rating is high, but the sample is the smallest in this lineup and the one star accounts are unusually specific. That detail is worth reading because it tells you what could go wrong at install rather than in service.
What owners praise is the removable mounting post assemblies, which let you pull the hitch forward and use the bed, and the automatic slide that couples from any angle. Owners who upgraded from a 16K hitch to this 20K unit on a Ford puck truck report satisfaction with the step up.
What owners criticize is bracket alignment on the puck system, with several reporting that the brackets needed machining to line up, and a locking handle that cannot be positively locked. Both are install-time and security concerns, not failure reports, but the first one can cost you a trip back to the fabricator.
Ford puck fit and air suspension clearance
Confirm your truck actually has the factory puck system before you plan around this hitch. It is vehicle specific, and a Ford truck without pucks needs a full conversion. Like the B&W Companion, there is no universal path into an unrelated bed.
At 216 pounds this is the heaviest unit in the group, and the posts alone are a two person lift. If your truck has factory air suspension, check under-bed clearance before installation, since air helper springs and their brackets can occupy the same space the hitch hardware needs.
Where owners report trouble
The recurring themes are missing accessories, machining at install, and a handle without a positive lock. Manufacturer support on warranty claims was described as weak by some owners, which contrasts sharply with the service experience reported for the CURT hitches in this lineup.
Verdict: the 2914 is the right call for a Ford puck truck owner at the 20,000 lb class who wants automatic slide. Ask your installer to check puck bracket alignment before committing, and plan to add a separate lock.
9. PullRite 2600 SuperLite – Best Single Point Hitch for Short Beds
PullRite 2600 Superlite Single Point Attachment Fifth Wheel Hitch
20000 lb GTW
Single point ball attachment
130 lb alloy steel
Offset pivot for short beds
Pros
- Single point ball attachment is fully visible from the cab during hookup
- Couples from any angle without slider alignment
- Lighter and more compact than a traditional fifth wheel hitch and frees bed space
- Offset design allows tight turns on short bed pickups
- High grade steel with multiple safety chain attachment points
Cons
- Not for trailers beyond the 20000 lb GTW ceiling
- Requires a gooseneck ball setup in the bed
- Installation instructions list incorrect fastener sizes on some kits
- A pin box isolator is needed with a flexible pin box such as Rota-Flex
The 2600 solves the problem most short-bed owners complain about: aligning a slider. It uses a single point ball attachment instead of a jaws-and-rail carriage, so you back into the ball from any angle, and you can see the whole coupling from the cab mirror. Reviewers call that freedom from alignment the deciding factor.
It also frees up bed space. A traditional fifth wheel jaw assembly occupies a large footprint, and the single point design is lighter and more compact, which matters when the same bed carries a fifth wheel trailer in summer and a load of mulch in June.
The offset design is the other reason it works in a short bed. Because the pivot point is offset, the trailer tracks tighter and allows tight turns where a centered jaw would swing the nose into the cab. Owners running short beds report it solving clearance problems they had with other setups.
It still reaches a 20,000 lb GTW ceiling, so it covers a heavier trailer than most ball coupler bumpers do, which is the usual comparison people make. If your trailer is at the top of that range, verify the tow vehicle rating rather than relying on the hitch number.
Goingoseneck to fifth wheel conversions
This is the hitch to consider if you already have or plan a gooseneck ball in the bed. A single point fifth wheel attachment is a different use of the same mounting approach, and the ball setup reduces tail swing compared with a bumper pull on the same trailer.
One accessory matters: a king pin box isolator is required when pairing it with a flexible pin box such as Rota-Flex. Without the isolator, the pin box articulation fights the ball connection. Confirm your pin box type with the trailer manufacturer before installation.
Where owners report trouble
Reviewers mention hard to reach set screws, fastener size errors in the printed installation instructions, and an occasional rocking motion when the setup resonates with the road at a particular speed. A rare rocking report is worth taking seriously, so check the connection at highway speed before a long trip.
Verdict: the 2600 is our pick for a short bed owner who couples often and hates asking for help. It covers up to 20,000 lb GTW, needs a gooseneck ball bed, and trades the rail system for a simpler, more visible connection.
How to Choose a Fifth Wheel Hitch for Your Truck
Gross trailer weight, pin weight, and what each number controls
Gross trailer weight is the fully loaded weight of the trailer, taken from the GVWR sticker inside the trailer or on the frame rail. Pin weight is the portion of that load carried by the kingpin, and the target range is 15 to 20 percent for RV fifth wheels. A 20,000 lb trailer should put roughly 3,000 to 4,000 lb on the kingpin.
Hitch weight is the third number, and it is the one buyers forget. It comes straight out of your payload budget, and payload also has to cover the weight distribution hitch, passengers, cargo, and the fifth wheel hitch itself. Many fifth wheel sway complaints trace back to too much rear weight and not enough pin weight, not to a defect in the hitch brand.
The match rule is straightforward: hitch GTW rating above loaded trailer weight, hitch vertical load rating above expected pin weight, truck tow rating above loaded trailer weight, and truck rear axle payload above hitch weight plus pin weight plus everything else in the bed. A half-ton leaves you almost no margin for this arithmetic, and owners on towing forums are blunt about it, with the recurring advice not to tow a fifth wheel behind an F-150 or any other half-ton truck.
Fixed, sliding, pivoting, or single point
A fixed hitch is the simplest and stiffest, and it suits a long bed where cab clearance is not an issue. A slider moves the head fore and aft to buy tail swing clearance, and it is the standard answer for short beds. A pivoting or articulating head tilts to follow uneven ground and absorbs shock, which is what you want on rough campsites.
Use a slider when your bed is short, when you tow in tight campgrounds, or when your trailer has a tall pin box that closes the gap between the trailer nose and the cab. Skip the slider when you have a long bed, because the extra moving parts introduce play that you do not need. Use a pivoting head when your sites are unlevel more often than they are flat, and use a single point attachment when alignment frustration outweighs your need for a rail system.
Short beds, tail swing, and cab clearance
Tail swing is the arc the trailer nose sweeps as the truck turns. On a short bed, that arc can bring the nose into the rear of the cab in very tight turns, and one owner described it plainly: the front of the fiveer can hit the cab in certain very tight turns when backing into a spot. A 6 foot 4 inch bed makes this more likely than an 8 foot bed, and the gap narrows further with a tall pin box.
Two fixes exist. A slider moves the hitch head toward the cab during a turn so the trailer pivots about a more favorable point. A rear pivot or single point attachment such as the 2600 offsets the pivot point entirely, keeping the load over the rear axle while shortening the effective swing. Both work. Neither lets you ignore the geometry.
Measure before you order: the distance from the rear of the cab to the center of the trailer kingpin when coupled is the number that decides whether you have problems. If that measurement leaves less than a few inches of clearance at full lock, you need a different hitch type rather than a different brand.
Will an aftermarket hitch void my truck’s frame warranty
This is the number one question on the top ranking forum thread for this topic, and the answer is more specific than the fear suggests. Installing a hitch by drilling or welding into the frame itself is the thing that creates warranty risk. Installing a hitch into a factory puck system, or into bed rails that bolt to the bed and not the frame, is a much smaller exposure.
Owners on Reddit r/RVLiving point out that Lippert sells hitches that do not void the frame warranty, which is worth raising with any dealer who tells you otherwise. The practical rule is to check the frame warranty language for the exclusions it lists, keep the factory mounting points intact, and have the work documented by the installer.
The puck hitches in this lineup, the B&W Companion and the PullRite 2914, are the closest to the factory approach because they use holes the manufacturer drilled. That is a meaningful advantage before you worry about the hitch itself.
Base rails, puck systems, and the hitch kit you actually need
Above-bed base rails bolt to the bed floor and stand roughly five inches above it. In-bed rails sit flush. Both give a mounting pattern for a rail-mounted hitch head. A puck system uses a fixed hole pattern drilled by the truck manufacturer, which is faster and cleaner but only available on certain trucks.
Check what your bed has before you pick a hitch. Rails and brackets are almost always sold separately from the hitch head, and sliders need a capture plate to activate the sliding cam. The PullRite 2900 and 2914 both require one and neither includes it. Budget those items in the same order rather than discovering them mid install.
Installation, maintenance, and safety gear
Rail and puck hitches install with bolts into existing mounting points and are a manageable shop job. A bed rail kit on a truck that never had one is more involved, and drilling or welding to the frame changes the warranty conversation entirely. Half-ton trucks with factory air suspension need an under-bed clearance check before anything goes in, because air helper springs and their brackets occupy the same space.
Maintenance is simple and easy to skip. Grease the kingpin and the jaw, and check the slider tracks and capture plates, on a schedule of roughly every 90 days or 5,000 miles. Inspect the jaw for wear and galled surfaces, confirm the handle locks fully, and check that no bolts have moved. PullRite warranties are largely 30 day contact-us policies, so inspection habits matter more with those hitches than with a limited lifetime model.
Safety gear is where people under-equip. Fit rated safety chains to the trailer, wire a breakaway cable to the truck brake pedal so a separation pulls the trailer brakes, and keep a spare king pin lock on hand. A hitch lock is useful but not universal, and owners note the recurring problem with hitch locks is that pin styles differ between manufacturers, so confirm your lock matches your handle before you buy it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which 5th wheel hitch is best?
For most pickup owners the B and W 25K Companion OEM is the best overall choice, rated 25000 lb GTW with 6250 lb vertical load and a 4.8 average across 77 reviews. Pick the CURT Q20 for a rail-based 20,000 lb setup, and the PullRite 2600 SuperLite for short beds where slider alignment is frustrating.
What is the best 5th wheel hitch for a short bed?
A sliding hitch is the standard answer for a short bed because it moves the hitch head toward the cab during a turn and prevents the trailer nose from striking the cab. The PullRite 2900 SuperGlide gives you 14 inches of fully automatic slide, while the PullRite 2600 SuperLite uses an offset single point ball attachment that tracks tighter with no alignment needed.
Can you put a fifth wheel hitch in a short bed truck?
Yes, but the hitch type matters. Short-bed owners need either a slider or a rear pivot point hitch such as a single point attachment, because a fixed head on a short bed can let the trailer nose hit the cab in very tight turns. Measure the cab-to-kingpin distance at full lock before ordering.
When to use a slider 5th wheel hitch?
Use a slider when your bed is short, when you tow in tight campgrounds, or when a tall pin box leaves little clearance between the trailer nose and the cab. On a long bed a fixed head is steadier and adds no moving parts to wear, so the slider is not needed.
Will an aftermarket hitch void my warranty?
Drilling or welding an aftermarket hitch to the frame is what creates warranty risk. Hitches that use factory puck holes or bolt-on bed rails are a much smaller exposure, and some manufacturers sell hitches specifically to avoid the issue. Check your frame warranty exclusions, keep factory mounting points intact, and keep the installer paperwork.
What size truck do I need to pull a 20,000 lb fifth wheel?
A one-ton truck or a heavy three-quarter-ton with a matching tow rating is the realistic answer. You need the hitch rated above the loaded trailer weight, the remaining rear payload to cover hitch weight plus pin weight plus passengers and cargo, and a rear axle that can carry it. Most owners advise against half-ton trucks for fifth wheel towing.
Final Verdict: Which Fifth Wheel Hitch Fits Your Truck
Start with your truck, not the hitch. GM factory pucks point to the B&W 25K Companion for the deepest pin weight capacity here, Ford factory pucks point to the PullRite 2914 with its automatic slide. A standard rail bed opens the CURT line, where the Q20 handles 20,000 lb quietly, the A16 absorbs shock on unlevel ground, and the E16 covers the lighter class with the widest owner history.
Short beds are the deciding factor. Automatic sliders such as the PullRite 2900 handle cab clearance without a second person, and the PullRite 2600 SuperLite removes alignment entirely with a single point ball you can see from the cab. Whichever way you go, match the GTW rating above your loaded trailer, check the pin box height, and add the capture plate or rails to the same order.
That is the best fifth wheel hitch for pickup trucks in 2026, sorted by the bed you actually own rather than by the spec sheet. Use the table above to narrow it down, then confirm the fit with your trailer manufacturer before the install appointment.
