Finding the right fifth wheel hitch for a flatbed truck involves balancing payload capacity, articulation, ease of use, and compatibility with your truck’s mounting system. The following selections focus on top-rated options that work well with flatbed conversions and OEM puck systems, while offering strong towing performance and reliable head movement. This guide highlights five notable models and provides a practical buying guide to help you compare features, fitment, and installation considerations for American trucks and campers alike.
| Product | Brand | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| B&W Flatbed Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch- RVK3050 | B&W Trailer Hitches | Converts Turnoverball to flatbed, fully articulating head |
| B&W Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch – RVK3500 | B&W Trailer Hitches | Quiet, rattle-free towing with polyurethane bushings |
| B&W OEM 25K Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch – RVK3715 | B&W Trailer Hitches | GM OEM puck system compatibility, versatile articulating head |
| Andersen Hitches Gen 3 Ultimate Fifth Wheel Connection | Andersen Hitches | Lightweight with strong capacity and remote latching |
| CURT 16115 E16 5th Wheel Hitch | CURT | Dual-pivot head with auto-lock and anti-rattle features |
B&W Flatbed Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch RVK3050
The B&W RVK3050 is designed to convert a B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch for flatbed use, enabling a strong fifth wheel connection on flatbed trucks. The fully articulating head allows front-to-back and side-to-side pivoting, ensuring smoother towing on varied landscapes. A cam action latching handle assists with easy release even on unlevel sites, making hitching and unhitching more convenient for remote job sites or campsites. This model emphasizes compatibility with B&W’s established mounting ecosystems while delivering dependable load transfer for heavy trailers.
Key features include:
– Flatbed conversion capability from a trusted Gooseneck system
– Fully articulating head for versatile alignment
– Cam action latching handle for straightforward operation
B&W Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch RVK3500
The B&W RVK3500 Companion is renowned for its quiet towing experience, featuring a fully articulating head that enables front-to-back and side-to-side movement. The cam action latching handle promotes secure release whether you’re on level ground or on uneven terrain. A notable addition is polyurethane bushings that minimize noise and rattle, contributing to a smoother overall towing feel. This model suits flatbed or specialty installations where a stable, user-friendly hitch is desired.
Highlights include:
– Quiet, rattle-free towing with polyurethane bushings
– Easy coupling and uncoupling with cam action latch
– Flexible head articulation for diverse trailer alignments
B&W OEM 25K Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch RVK3715
The RVK3715 is designed for compatibility with 2020–2025 Chevrolet/GM OEM puck systems, offering robust articulation along with a cam action latching mechanism for easy operation on uneven sites. The design emphasizes reliable load handling with a strong head mechanism and a secure pin-and-coupler interface, making it a solid choice for fleets or individual owners who rely on OEM hitch mounting for intermittent flatbed uses.
Essentials to note:
– OEM puck system compatibility for GM trucks
– Fully articulating head for varied trailer setups
– Repeated emphasis on dependable cam action latching
Andersen Hitches Gen 3 Ultimate Fifth Wheel Connection
The Gen 3 3220 is recognized for its lightweight yet strong construction, weighing about 37 lbs while supporting up to 24,000 lbs GTWR. It offers two height settings (approximately 17 9/16″ and 19 9/16″) to fit different rigs, and a compact base with a 3-¼” offset to aid stability and storage. The patented remote latching system provides quick, hassle-free hitching and unhitching without needing to climb into the truck bed, which is beneficial for frequent campers, racers, or users with limited access to the bed area.
Key benefits include:
– High towing capacity with a low weight
– Adjustable height for multiple configurations
– Remote latching for easier operation
CURT 16115 E16 5th Wheel Hitch
The CURT 16115 E16 5th Wheel Hitch features a dual-pivot head that provides up to 10 degrees of lateral movement for smoother towing and easy alignment. Its AUTO-LOCK system enhances coupling security, while an anti-rattle skid plate helps reduce vibration at the connection point, improving ride quality and reducing wear on hitch components. These features make it a versatile option for various flatbed and pickup-to-trailer setups where consistent, confident hitching is required.
Highlights include:
– Dual-pivot head for smoother adjustments
– Auto-lock for secure coupling
– Anti-rattle skid plate to minimize vibration
Buying Guide: Key Purchase Considerations
- Truck compatibility: Ensure the hitch is compatible with your truck’s mounting system (flatbed adapters, OEM puck systems, or Turnoverball configurations). GM OEM puck systems and Ford OEM puck setups are common on modern flatbeds, while others rely on universal mounting plates.
- Weight and capacity: Match the hitch weight and the maximum GTWR/TW (tongue weight) with your trailer’s weight and payload. Heavier travel trailers and toy haulers demand higher capacity models, whereas lighter camps or day-use trailers benefit from lighter, easier-to-handle options like the Andersen Gen 3.
- Head articulation: Fully articulating or dual-pivot heads help absorb uneven ground and improve alignment. This reduces wear and enhances stability during hookup and towing on rough terrain.
- Ease of hitching/unhitching: Cam action latching, auto-lock features, and remote latching systems save time and reduce effort, especially in limited-access sites.
- Noise and vibration: Polyurethane bushings and anti-rattle components can significantly reduce noise and vibration, contributing to a smoother towing experience on flatbed configurations.
- Installation and maintenance: Consider the installation complexity and maintenance needs. Some hitches require mounting frames or adapters for flatbeds, while others offer more straightforward installs or lighter designs for easier handling.
- Service and compatibility: A well-supported brand with accessible replacement parts and a broad ecosystem (head assemblies, mounting options) can extend the life of the hitch across multiple trucks or trailers.
Comparative Considerations
- Articulation range: Models with fully articulating heads (RVK3050, RVK3500, RVK3715) excel in variable terrain, while others like CURT 16115 balance articulation with auto-lock for frequent use.
- Weight vs. capacity: The Andersen Gen 3 offers high capacity with a notably light footprint (about 37 lbs), which can simplify handling and installation but may require compatible mounting hardware on some flatbeds.
- OEM compatibility: OEM puck systems (GM, Ford) provide straightforward installation in compatible trucks and should be weighed against universal adapter options for broader compatibility.
- Noise reduction: Polyurethane bushings and anti-rattle features significantly improve the towing feel, particularly on long trips or off-road sites where rattling can be pronounced.
These five products offer a range of options for flatbed users seeking reliable fifth wheel hitch performance. Each model prioritizes articulation, ease of use, and compatibility with common flatbed configurations, enabling better weight distribution and safer towing across diverse American landscapes.