Fifth Wheel Hitch Guide: Pick the Right Hitch in 3 Steps

A fifth wheel hitch mounts in your pickup bed and connects to the kingpin on the front of your camper. Here's how to pick the right one.

Step 1 — Know your camper's weight

Find the GVWR sticker on your fifth wheel (usually on the front, driver's side). Choose a hitch rated at or above that number.

Up to 16,000 lb18,000–21,000 lb25,000 lb & up

Step 2 — Check your truck bed: factory "pucks" or rails?

Look in your truck bed. If you see 4 round covered holes plus one in the center, your truck has a factory "puck" prep package. Puck hitches drop right in with no drilling.

Ford Super DutyRam 2500/3500Chevy / GMC HDAll Puck Systems

No pucks? You'll use a hitch that mounts on industry-standard bed rails (rails bolt to your truck frame).

Husky Fifth Wheel HitchesDemco Fifth Wheel Hitches

Step 3 — Short bed or long bed?

Short-bed trucks (about 6.5 ft or less) can hit the camper with the cab in tight turns. A slider or auto-slide hitch moves back to give you clearance. Long-bed trucks (8 ft) can usually use a fixed hitch.

Auto-Slide Hitches

Parts & replacement

Fifth Wheel Parts & AccessoriesReplacement Parts

Not sure? We'll help. Send us your vehicle year, make and model plus what you're towing and we'll tell you exactly which parts you need. Contact us.

Pro tipsWhat experienced installers check

  • Rate the hitch for the trailer’s GVWR, not its empty weight, and check pin weight against your truck’s payload.
  • Short-bed truck? A slider hitch or offset pin box helps keep the trailer clear of the cab in tight turns.
  • Factory puck prep (Ford, Ram, GM) needs a matching puck-system hitch or adapter; universal rails are a separate install.
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