6 Best Andersen 5th Wheel Hitches for Light Trailers That Challenge Convention

Let’s be honest, the first time you see a traditional 5th wheel hitch, you probably think, "Do I really need that 200-pound beast of steel in my truck bed?" For years, that was the only option: a heavy, greasy, clanking contraption that took two people to install and stole your truck bed forever. Andersen Hitches looked at that problem and decided there had to be a better way, especially for the growing number of people towing lighter 5th wheels and toy haulers. This isn’t about towing a 45-foot residential rig; this is about smart, efficient, and user-friendly solutions for the rest of us.

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Why Andersen Hitches Redefine 5th Wheel Towing

The magic of an Andersen hitch is its radical simplicity. Instead of a heavy, complex jaw mechanism that clamps onto a king pin, Andersen uses a lightweight aluminum pyramid frame with a ball on top. A custom adapter clamps to your trailer’s king pin, creating a funnel-like coupler that drops right onto the ball, providing a tight, secure connection.

This design accomplishes two revolutionary things. First, it slashes weight. Most Andersen Ultimate models weigh less than 40 pounds, compared to 150-250 pounds for traditional hitches. That’s a huge payload savings you can dedicate to gear, water, or just staying safely under your truck’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

Second, it delivers a dramatically smoother and quieter tow. The tight, ball-and-funnel connection nearly eliminates the "chucking" and banging that plagues many traditional hitches as the trailer shifts. It’s a difference you can feel in the driver’s seat, reducing fatigue on long travel days and making the entire experience less stressful.

Andersen Ultimate Gooseneck Mount Connection

This is the model that started it all and remains the most popular for a reason. It’s designed for trucks that already have a gooseneck ball mount in the bed, like a B&W Turnoverball or a factory-installed system. The entire Andersen pyramid base simply drops over your existing ball and is secured with a single bolt and cotter pin.

The standout feature here is unparalleled convenience. Need your full truck bed to haul mulch on Saturday? You can pull the entire 35-pound hitch out in under two minutes with no tools. This transforms your dedicated tow vehicle back into a functional pickup truck, a game-changer for anyone who isn’t a full-time RVer.

This hitch is the perfect fit for the weekend warrior or the part-timer who uses their truck for daily life. If your truck came with a gooseneck prep package, this is the cleanest, fastest, and most versatile way to get the benefits of an Andersen system. It’s pure, simple, and incredibly effective.

Andersen Ultimate Rail Mount Connection Model

What if you love the Andersen concept but your truck is already outfitted with the old-school, industry-standard rails (ISRs)? You don’t have to rip them out and install a gooseneck system. The Andersen Ultimate Rail Mount is your bridge to modern towing.

This model uses the same lightweight aluminum pyramid and ball connection but features a base designed to pin directly into your existing rails. You get the same sub-40-pound weight, the same smooth ride, and the same easy hookup process. It’s a direct, lightweight replacement for that clunky old slider hitch you’ve been meaning to get rid of.

The ideal user is someone upgrading from a traditional hitch or who bought a used truck that already had rails installed. It saves you the cost and hassle of a new under-bed installation while still providing 90% of the Andersen experience. While not quite as fast to remove as the gooseneck version, it’s still light enough for one person to lift out easily.

Andersen Ranch Hitch Adapter for Goosenecks

Now, this one is different and requires a serious word of caution. The Ranch Hitch Adapter is not a hitch that sits in your truck bed. It’s an adapter that attaches directly to your 5th wheel’s king pin, converting it to be towed directly on a gooseneck ball.

Its primary use is for very specific applications, like towing with a flatbed truck where a traditional hitch base won’t fit. It provides a simple connection for agricultural or commercial setups where the trailer frame is often overbuilt. However, for recreational 5th wheels, it’s a risky proposition.

This is critical: Most major RV frame manufacturers, especially Lippert (LCI), explicitly state that using a gooseneck adapter of this style will void your frame’s warranty. The forces applied to the pin box are different, and it can create stress the frame wasn’t designed to handle. Before you even think about this option, you must check with your trailer manufacturer. For most RVers, the Ultimate Connection series is the far safer and smarter choice.

Andersen Lowered Ultimate for Low-Profile Beds

Modern truck design has introduced a new challenge: lower bed rail heights. On some newer trucks, the distance between the bed floor and the top of the bed rail is shorter, which can reduce the clearance for a 5th wheel’s overhang. This creates a risk of the trailer nose hitting your bed rails in tight turns or on uneven ground.

The Andersen Lowered Ultimate directly addresses this. It’s a modified version of the standard gooseneck-mounted hitch, but it’s built with a shorter base and different ball heights. This effectively lowers the pivot point, increasing the critical gap between your trailer and your truck.

This is a specialized solution for a specific problem. If you have a late-model truck known for low bed sides or a custom flatbed, this model could be essential for preventing thousands of dollars in damage. It’s a perfect example of Andersen listening to the market and engineering a solution for a real-world towing issue.

Andersen Puck System Hitch for Late-Model RAMs

If you own a modern RAM with the factory 5th wheel/gooseneck prep package, you have the "puck system." These are four mounting points built directly into the truck bed, offering a clean, strong, and rail-free alternative. The Andersen Puck System Hitch is purpose-built to take advantage of this.

Instead of a single-point gooseneck mount, this model has a wider frame with four quarter-turn anchors that lock directly into the RAM’s pucks. Installation is incredibly fast and secure, giving you a rock-solid connection that feels like it came from the factory. You get the OEM-level integration with all the lightweight and smooth-towing benefits of the Andersen design.

For a RAM owner with the puck system, this is a no-brainer. It is the absolute cleanest and most integrated solution, providing a perfect fit without any extra hardware. It combines the best of the factory system with the best of Andersen’s innovative approach.

Andersen Puck System Hitch for Ford and GM Trucks

Just like RAM, Ford and General Motors offer their own factory puck systems on heavy-duty trucks. And just like with RAM, Andersen makes specific models to fit them perfectly. It’s important to know that the puck patterns are not interchangeable between brands, so you must buy the model made for your truck.

The principle is identical: the hitch base is engineered to drop directly into the factory mounting points and lock in place. This gives you a flawless, rail-free installation in minutes. You can go from an empty bed to ready-to-tow faster than it takes to check your tire pressure.

This is the premium option for owners of well-equipped Ford or GM trucks. It avoids the need to install aftermarket rails or a gooseneck ball, preserving the clean look and full function of your truck bed. If your truck has the pucks, this is the Andersen hitch you want.

Choosing Your Andersen: Key Factors to Consider

Your first and most important decision point is your truck’s bed. The choice is made for you based on what you have:

• Gooseneck Ball: The Ultimate Gooseneck Mount Connection is your answer.
• Industry Standard Rails (ISRs): Go with the Ultimate Rail Mount model.
• Factory Puck System: Get the Puck System model specific to your Ford, GM, or RAM.
• Clean, Empty Bed: You’ll need to install a gooseneck system first, then use the Ultimate Gooseneck Mount.

Next, check the numbers. While we’re talking about "light trailers," you must confirm that your trailer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and its pin weight are well within the Andersen hitch’s capacity (typically 24,000 lbs GVWR and 4,500 lbs pin weight) and, more importantly, your truck’s ratings. Never exceed your truck’s payload or towing limits.

Consider how you use your truck. If it’s a dedicated tow vehicle, any model works. But if you haul gear for work on Monday and the 5th wheel on Friday, the quick-release convenience of the gooseneck-mounted or puck-system models is a massive quality-of-life improvement.

Finally, think about clearance, especially with a short-bed truck. Andersen’s design allows you to reverse the adapter on the pin box, shifting the pivot point several inches to gain more cab clearance. Even so, always measure to ensure you have enough room to make tight turns without your trailer nose meeting your truck’s back window.

Ultimately, Andersen hitches represent a fundamental shift in thinking. They move away from the "bigger and heavier is better" mentality and focus on smart engineering, user experience, and versatility. For anyone towing a light to medium-weight 5th wheel, they offer a compelling way to simplify your setup, improve your ride, and reclaim your truck bed. It’s an innovation that makes the 5th wheel lifestyle more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.