Key takeaways
- Your truck already has compatible factory puck mounts.
- Your loaded trailer is comfortably below 20,000 pounds.
- You value a quiet connection and a removable base.
- You have a long bed or are prepared to use a compatible slider for a short bed.
The best fifth wheel hitches for most owners are the B&W Companion OEM 20K for a quiet, removable hitch, the CURT A16 for value and straightforward installation, and the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 18K for short-bed trucks that need automatic clearance.
The right choice depends less on the largest advertised capacity than on your truck’s bed length, factory mounting system, trailer weight, kingpin design, and how often you want to remove the hitch. A 16,000-pound hitch with a solid fit is preferable to a 27,000-pound model that is unnecessarily heavy, difficult to install, or poorly matched to the truck.
Quick comparison of the best fifth wheel hitches
| Hitch | Rated capacity | Jaw or coupling design | Approx. hitch weight | Best suited to | Typical market range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B&W Companion OEM 20K | 20,000 lb | Dual-jaw steel coupling | About 250 lb | Long-bed or short-bed trucks with a factory puck system | $1,400–$1,900 |
| CURT A16 | 16,000 lb | 360-degree wraparound steel jaw | About 160 lb | Value-focused owners and moderate-weight fifth wheels | $700–$1,100 |
| Demco Hijacker Autoslide 18K | 18,000 lb | Automatic sliding steel jaw mechanism | About 300 lb | Short-bed trucks without a manual-sliding routine | $1,500–$2,200 |
| Reese M5 27K | 27,000 lb | Four-point wraparound jaw | About 200 lb, depending on configuration | Heavy fifth wheels and high-capacity towing setups | $1,400–$2,000 |
Weights and prices vary by mounting system, base rail configuration, and retailer. Confirm the exact part number before buying, especially for a Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, or Ram factory puck system.
Best overall: B&W Companion OEM 20K
The B&W Companion OEM 20K is a strong all-around choice for a truck equipped with factory fifth-wheel pucks. Its dual-jaw steel coupling surrounds the trailer kingpin, giving it a secure connection with less fore-and-aft movement than a basic slide-bar design. That reduced movement generally means less clunking during starts, stops, and low-speed maneuvering.
Its major ownership advantage is removability. The Companion separates into an upper head and a base, so one person can manage the components more easily than a single-piece hitch. The base locks into the truck’s factory puck system without permanent bed rails, leaving a relatively clean bed when removed.
Installation is moderate rather than difficult: there is no need to drill the bed for a factory-puck version, but the hitch is still heavy and requires careful height adjustment. It is best for owners who tow regularly and want a durable, quiet coupling without paying for an automatic slider.
Choose it if:
- Your truck already has compatible factory puck mounts.
- Your loaded trailer is comfortably below 20,000 pounds.
- You value a quiet connection and a removable base.
- You have a long bed or are prepared to use a compatible slider for a short bed.
Best value: CURT A16
The CURT A16 is a sensible pick for a conventional truck-and-trailer combination that does not require an automatic sliding mechanism. Its 16,000-pound rating covers many mid-size and full-size fifth wheels, while the wraparound jaw provides more complete contact around the kingpin than a simple sliding bar.
The A16 is commonly configured for industry-standard above-bed rails, which makes it broadly compatible but also means installation can be more involved than a factory-puck hitch. The mounting rails must be positioned accurately and attached to a vehicle-specific bracket kit. Drilling the truck frame or using incorrect brackets is unsafe; use the manufacturer’s application guide rather than improvising.
This hitch can transmit more audible movement than a premium dual-jaw or cushioned model, particularly when the kingpin is dry or the trailer’s pin box allows substantial movement. Regular lubrication at the specified points and correct jaw adjustment help, but no fixed hitch eliminates every towing noise.
Best for short-bed trucks: Demco Hijacker Autoslide 18K
The Demco Hijacker Autoslide 18K is designed for short-bed owners who want cab clearance without stopping to unlock and manually reposition a slider. As the truck turns, the hitch head moves rearward automatically; when the truck straightens, it returns forward. That convenience is valuable when entering fuel stations, campsites, or tight turns where manually sliding a hitch would be easy to forget.
The trade-off is size, weight, cost, and maintenance. An autoslide has more moving parts than a stationary hitch, and its mechanism needs inspection, lubrication, and correct adjustment. It also requires adequate clearance around the hitch and must be used with the type of pin box and mounting system approved by Demco.
Automatic sliding is not a substitute for checking clearance. Cab corners, tailgate edges, toolboxes, bed caps, and trailer overhangs can still contact one another. Perform a slow test turn on level ground before traveling.
Best for heavy trailers: Reese M5 27K
The Reese M5 27K makes sense when the trailer’s actual loaded weight and pin weight demand more capacity than a 16,000- or 20,000-pound hitch provides. Its high rating and wraparound jaw are intended for heavy-duty fifth-wheel applications, but the rating alone does not make a truck capable of towing a 27,000-pound trailer.
Start with the truck’s payload rating, rear-axle weight rating, gross combined weight rating, and the hitch’s mounting-system limit. A fifth wheel commonly places roughly 20% to 25% of its loaded weight on the truck’s pin. For example, a 20,000-pound trailer could impose approximately 4,000 to 5,000 pounds of pin weight before passengers, cargo, and hitch weight are added. Many otherwise powerful trucks cannot legally or safely carry that load.
The M5 is therefore a capacity-first choice, not automatically the best choice for a typical recreational trailer. Buying excess capacity adds cost and lifting weight without correcting an overloaded truck.
How to choose by situation
| Your situation | Most suitable direction | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional towing, moderate trailer, lowest sensible cost | Fixed 16K wraparound-jaw hitch such as the CURT A16 | Lower purchase cost and fewer moving parts |
| Frequent towing with factory puck mounts | B&W Companion OEM 20K | Quiet coupling, strong construction, and removable components |
| Short bed and no desire to manually slide | Demco Hijacker Autoslide 18K | Automatic rearward travel during turns |
| Heavy trailer near or above 20,000 lb | High-capacity model such as the Reese M5 27K | Greater hitch rating, subject to truck and pin-box limits |
| Limited garage storage or frequent bed use | Two-piece removable hitch | Easier handling and less permanent bed obstruction |
Jaw material, noise, and installation explained
Most quality fifth wheel hitches use steel jaws because steel tolerates high contact loads and repeated coupling. The important difference is the jaw shape and how tightly it captures the kingpin. A wraparound or dual-jaw design normally produces less slack than a basic bar-style locking system, but wear, poor adjustment, an undersized kingpin, or a damaged pin box can create noise in any hitch.
Noise reduction comes from several sources: a close-fitting jaw, a rigid head, damped pivot points, and a properly lubricated kingpin plate. Grease should be applied to the kingpin and hitch plate unless the trailer uses a lube-plate system approved for that combination. Do not grease locking surfaces that the manufacturer says must remain dry.
Factory puck installation is usually the simplest because the truck already contains reinforced mounting points. Above-bed rail systems are widely compatible but may require a vehicle-specific bracket kit and drilling. Under-bed systems leave a cleaner bed but can cost more and may require more installation time. A hitch rated for a particular weight is not automatically compatible with every rail, puck, adapter, or gooseneck conversion.
A practical fit and capacity check
Use the trailer’s expected loaded weight, not its empty brochure weight. Suppose the trailer weighs 15,000 pounds loaded and the expected pin percentage is 22%. The estimated pin load is:
15,000 × 0.22 = 3,300 pounds.
Now add passengers, cargo in the bed, and the hitch itself. If those additions total 700 pounds, the truck must carry approximately 4,000 pounds above its empty operating weight. Compare that figure with the truck’s actual available payload and rear-axle capacity. Also confirm that the hitch’s rating exceeds the trailer’s gross weight and that the pin box is approved for the hitch.
Maintenance issues that matter over time
- Inspect the jaw first: Look for rounded edges, cracks, unusual gaps, and incomplete closure before every trip.
- Lubricate deliberately: Follow the hitch manual for the kingpin plate, pivot points, slider rails, and locking mechanism. Excess grease attracts grit.
- Check mounting hardware: Recheck torque after initial use and whenever the hitch is reconfigured.
- Watch the slider: Manual and automatic sliders accumulate dirt and can bind if neglected. A stuck slider may not move when clearance is needed.
- Protect removable parts: Store the head and base indoors or under cover where possible. Surface rust is manageable; corrosion around locking components is not.
- Do not chase noise blindly: Clunking can indicate jaw wear, a loose mount, a dry plate, or excessive play in the trailer’s pin box. Find the cause before towing again.
Final buying advice
For a long-bed truck and regular recreational towing, the B&W Companion OEM 20K is the most balanced choice when the factory puck system matches. Choose the CURT A16 when budget and broad rail compatibility matter more than maximum refinement. Choose the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 18K for the convenience of automatic short-bed clearance, and step up to the Reese M5 27K only when the loaded trailer and the truck’s ratings justify its capacity.
Before ordering, verify five numbers: the trailer’s loaded gross weight, estimated pin weight, truck payload, rear-axle rating, and hitch-and-mounting-system capacity. That check does more for safe, smooth towing than simply selecting the hitch with the biggest number on its label.
