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Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection
Gooseneck Mount (#3220)
- Aluminum Gooseneck Mount
- SAE Certified
- 14" tall base
- 24,000 lbs GTWR
- 4,500 lbs tongue weight
Gooseneck Mount - Toolbox Version (3220TBX)
- Aluminum Gooseneck Mount
- 14" tall base
- 3.5" base offset accommodates for truck beds with a tool box
- 24,000 lbs GTWR
- 4,500 lbs tongue weight
Lowered Flatbed Mount (#3221)
- Aluminum Gooseneck Mount
- 10" tall base
- 24,000 lbs GTWR
- 4,500 lbs tongue weight
Lowered Flatbed Mount - Toolbox version (#3221TBX)
- Aluminum Gooseneck Mount
- 10" tall base
- 3.5" base offset accommodates for truck beds with a tool box
- 24,000 lbs GTWR
- 4,500 lbs tongue weight
Rail Mount (#3200)
- Steel rail mount fits industry-standard rails (Rails sold separately)
- 11-1/2" tall base
- 24,000 lbs GTWR
- 4,500 lbs tongue weight
Click the link to find out our product warranty information
VISIT WARRANTY PAGE
The Best Lightweight 5th Wheel Hitch
The Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection is a lightweight 5th wheel hitch engineered to simplify towing without sacrificing strength. Designed to connect directly to a standard gooseneck ball, it eliminates the need for traditional heavy rail-mounted systems while delivering a secure, stable towing experience. Ideal for short bed trucks, toolbox setups, and owners who want faster installation and easier removal.
Why Choose a Lightweight 5th Wheel Hitch?
- If you are looking for a 5th wheel hitch for a short bed truck or a setup with limited space, this design offers flexibility without the heavy footprint of traditional systems.
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Lightweight design for easier installation and removal
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No traditional rails required
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Compatible with many short bed trucks
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Engineered for strength without bulk
Video Transcript
Strength meets simplicity. The Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection is lightweight, powerful, and built to handle the heaviest loads with ease. Weighing under 40 pounds, it’s the lightest 5th wheel hitch on the market, yet tough enough to tow up to 24,000 lbs GTWR. That means big hauls, big adventures, and zero heavy lifting. No more frustration. The adjustable ball height and built-in ball funnel make hitching up effortless, so you can spend less time hooking up and more time enjoying the road. Experience the smoothest towing possible. Our unique coupler and ball connection provides full articulation, which reduces chucking and jerking, delivering a quiet, stable, and stress-free ride. Need your truck bed back? No problem. The Ultimate Connection can be removed in seconds. And with our 97-year hitch-for-life warranty, you’ll have peace of mind for the long haul. The Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection: built for the adventure, built for America.
Why We Created the Lightest 5th Wheel Hitch
Traditional 5th wheel hitches are known for one thing: weight. Many systems weigh well over 150 pounds and require multiple people to install or remove. That extra bulk impacts truck payload, makes storage difficult, and turns installation into a project. The Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection was engineered to change that.
By utilizing a gooseneck-mounted design, this lightweight 5th wheel hitch removes the need for permanent rails while maintaining safety, stability, and towing confidence. The result is a cleaner truck bed, faster installation, and easier transitions between towing and daily driving.
Gooseneck Mount (#3220)
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SAE Certified
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Aluminum Gooseneck Mount
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14" tall base
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24,000 lbs GTWR
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4,500 lbs tongue weight
How the Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection Works
Instead of attaching to industry-standard rails, the Ultimate connects directly to a 2-5/16” gooseneck ball or one of our own Andersen Bed Shafts. This allows the system to distribute weight efficiently while minimizing the hardware inside your truck bed.
The lightweight structure makes removal simple, freeing up your truck bed when not towing without sacrificing safety. Whether heading to campgrounds, racetracks, or long-distance destinations, installation and breakdown become faster and more manageable.
Ultimate vs Traditional 5th Wheel Hitches
Compatible Accessories for the Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection
Andersen Bed Shaft
The Andersen Bed Shaft creates a strong, fast connection between your Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection gooseneck mount base and your factory OEM ball system.
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Fits into the OEM Ball System
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Ultimate Connection Gooseneck Mount connects to the bed shaft, similar to gooseneck balls
Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection Hitch FAQ
What is the best 5th wheel hitch for overall towing performance and real-world use?
Quick Answer:
The best 5th wheel hitch depends on whether you prioritize maximum stability, ease of use, or reduced weight.
Full Answer:
Traditional heavy-duty hitches like B&W are known for their planted towing feel because of full kingpin contact and heavy steel construction. This reduces perceived movement and creates a very stable towing experience.
Lightweight systems like the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection take a different approach by prioritizing ease of installation, reduced weight, and truck bed usability while still maintaining full rated towing capacity.
The “best” hitch is not just about weight or strength alone. It depends on how you use your truck, how often you tow, and whether convenience or maximum mass-based stability matters more in your setup.
Is a gooseneck 5th wheel hitch as safe and stable as a traditional hitch like B&W?
Quick Answer:
Yes, both gooseneck and traditional 5th wheel hitches are safe when properly installed and correctly rated.
Full Answer:
Traditional 5th wheel hitches feel more stable because they use a full plate connection with the trailer kingpin and heavy steel construction. This reduces movement and creates a more “planted” towing feel.
Gooseneck-mounted systems, like the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection, use a single pivot point on a gooseneck ball. This simplifies the connection and reduces mechanical complexity while still maintaining SAE-rated towing capacity.
Safety depends more on proper installation, weight distribution, and towing conditions than hitch style alone.
Why do traditional 5th wheel hitches feel more stable than lightweight systems?
Quick Answer:
Because they rely on heavy steel construction and full kingpin contact to reduce movement.
Full Answer:
Traditional hitches reduce movement through mass and full plate engagement with the trailer kingpin. This creates a dampened, planted feeling while towing.
Lightweight systems like the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection reduce weight by eliminating heavy steel jaw assemblies and instead use a gooseneck ball connection. This changes how forces are distributed but does not reduce rated towing capability when properly engineered.
Are lightweight 5th wheel hitches less stable or more prone to chucking?
Quick Answer:
Not necessarily. Chucking depends more on setup and design than weight alone.
Full Answer:
Chucking is the forward-and-back motion felt while towing and is caused by movement in the hitch connection, braking forces, and road conditions.
Traditional hitches reduce this using heavy steel construction and full kingpin engagement. Lightweight systems reduce complexity and use a simplified connection design like a gooseneck mount, which can still provide smooth towing when properly set up.
What causes chucking in a 5th wheel hitch and how can it be reduced?
Quick Answer:
Chucking is caused by movement between the truck and trailer during braking, acceleration, or road changes.
Full Answer:
Common causes include:
- Small gaps in the hitch connection
- Improper trailer weight distribution
- Sudden braking or acceleration
- Uneven road surfaces
Reducing chucking requires correct setup, proper pin weight balance, and a well-matched hitch system designed to minimize slack in the connection.
What is the best lightweight 5th wheel hitch for trucks that balances strength and ease of use?
Quick Answer:
The best lightweight 5th wheel hitch balances towing strength, ease of use, and minimal truck bed weight.
Full Answer:
Lightweight 5th wheel hitches are designed for drivers who want full towing capability without the weight and installation effort of traditional systems.
The Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection is widely used in this category because it significantly reduces weight while maintaining SAE-certified towing capacity. This makes it ideal for users who frequently remove their hitch or need maximum truck bed usability.
Is the Andersen Ultimate the lightest 5th wheel hitch at only 37 lbs?
Quick Answer:
Yes, it is one of the lightest full-capacity 5th wheel hitches available.
Full Answer:
Traditional 5th wheel hitches typically weigh 100 to 200 lbs due to heavy steel construction and rail-mounted systems. The Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection reduces this to approximately 37 lbs by using a lightweight aluminum design and gooseneck ball mounting system.
This makes installation, removal, and storage significantly easier while still maintaining rated towing capacity.
Why choose a 37 lb lightweight 5th wheel hitch over a traditional heavy hitch?
Quick Answer:
For easier installation, removal, and better truck bed usability.
Full Answer:
Lightweight hitches are ideal for drivers who frequently switch between towing and daily truck use. Instead of dealing with heavy steel systems, users can remove the hitch quickly and regain full bed space.
This makes systems like the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection especially popular for versatility-focused truck owners.
Do lightweight 5th wheel hitches still have full towing capacity and safety ratings?
Quick Answer:
Yes, when properly rated and installed, lightweight hitches maintain full towing capacity.
Full Answer:
Lightweight does not mean reduced strength. These systems are engineered to meet SAE standards and maintain full towing ratings. The reduced weight comes from design efficiency and simplified construction, not lower capability. The Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection has a weight rating of 24,000 which can handle most large, luxury RVs, toy haulers, and heavy equipment trailers.
Is a 37 lb 5th wheel hitch strong enough for heavy trailers?
Quick Answer:
Yes, when properly rated, lightweight hitches can tow heavy trailers safely.
Full Answer:
Strength is determined by engineering design and load distribution rather than total weight. Lightweight systems achieve high towing capacity through optimized geometry and efficient force distribution.
Is a gooseneck or traditional 5th wheel hitch better for towing stability and long-term use?
Quick Answer:
It depends on whether you prioritize maximum planted stability or ease of use and flexibility.
Full Answer:
Traditional hitches offer more perceived stability due to weight and full plate contact. Gooseneck systems offer easier installation and removal while maintaining rated towing capacity.
Do RV manufacturers recommend or discourage gooseneck 5th wheel adapters?
Quick Answer:
Many RV manufacturers do not officially recommend gooseneck adapters unless they are specifically designed and approved for 5th wheel use.
Full Answer:
RV manufacturers generally design 5th wheel trailers to be used with traditional kingpin-style hitches because they distribute weight across a wider hitch plate and are engineered for RV-specific dynamics like wind resistance and long-distance highway towing.
Some gooseneck adapters are explicitly approved by manufacturers, especially purpose-built systems like certain goosebox-style pin boxes. However, many generic adapters are discouraged because they can change how forces are transferred through the trailer frame, which may affect warranty coverage or long-term wear if not properly matched to the trailer design.
For this reason, manufacturers tend to recommend sticking with either a certified 5th wheel hitch system or an approved gooseneck conversion that is engineered specifically for RV use.
What is the smoothest riding 5th wheel hitch for reducing movement and improving towing comfort?
Quick Answer:
The smoothest riding 5th wheel hitches are those that minimize chucking and absorb road movement through stable kingpin engagement or engineered pivot systems.
Full Answer:
Ride quality in a 5th wheel hitch is mainly influenced by how the hitch manages forward-and-back movement, known as chucking, as well as side-to-side stability during road imperfections and wind.
Traditional heavy-duty hitches, such as B&W-style systems, achieve smoothness through full kingpin jaw engagement and heavy steel construction, which naturally dampens movement. These systems are often preferred for their “planted” highway feel.
Lightweight systems like the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection approach ride quality differently. Instead of relying on mass, they use a gooseneck ball pivot design that reduces mechanical slack in the connection point. When properly installed and balanced, this can result in a smooth towing experience while also offering the added benefit of reduced weight and easier removal.
Ultimately, the smoothest ride comes from proper setup, correct pin weight distribution, and a hitch design that minimizes play in the connection system.
What is the easiest 5th wheel hitch to install and remove by a single person?
Quick Answer:
Lightweight gooseneck-mounted hitches like the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection are the easiest to install and remove.
Full Answer:
Because they eliminate heavy rail-mounted components, lightweight systems allow single-person installation and removal. This makes them especially useful for drivers who want to quickly switch between towing and full truck bed use.
Can I remove a 5th wheel hitch when not towing?
Quick Answer:
Yes, many modern 5th wheel hitches are designed for easy removal.
Full Answer:
Gooseneck-mounted lightweight systems like the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection are designed for fast removal, allowing full truck bed usability when not towing. This flexibility is one of the main reasons users choose lightweight systems over traditional rail-mounted hitches.
