Every fifth wheel hitch gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Hitches are grouped by gross trailer weight rating, up to 20,000 lb and over 20,000 lb, and price and capacity are scored on scales set for each group.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Price | price of the hitch head | 25% |
| Capacity | gross trailer weight rating | 20% |
| Weight | hitch head weight, lighter is better | 15% |
| Features | full articulation, adjustable height, short bed use and a lock | 20% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 20% |
Where the numbers come from
Weight ratings, head weights, height ranges, features and warranty come from the maker’s product page, spec sheet or manual, and where the maker leaves a figure out, from retailer listings that publish it, such as etrailer. Prices are checked at Amazon, the maker’s own store and other retailers, and the lowest price at a store the page links to is used. Each record is one hitch head; the rail, puck and slider kits it’s sold in are listed in the price notes.
The factors
Price is the current price of the hitch, on a log scale, so halving the price always counts the same. Up to 20,000 lb, $2,000 scores zero and $500 full marks; over 20,000 lb, $2,500 scores zero and $900 full marks.
Capacity is the maker’s gross trailer weight rating. Up to 20,000 lb, 15,000 lb scores zero and 20,000 lb full marks; over 20,000 lb, 20,000 lb scores zero and 30,000 lb full marks.
Weight is the weight of the heaviest piece you lift out of the bed, usually the head: 200 lb scores zero and 40 lb full marks.
Features is 35% for full articulation (the head pivots fore and aft and side to side), 25% for height adjustment without new parts, 25% for a short bed rating as sold (a built in slider or an offset design) and 15% for a handle or jaws that lock with a padlock or key.
Warranty is the maker’s warranty: 1 year scores zero and 10 years full marks, and a limited lifetime warranty scores full marks.
What isn’t scored
Pin weight rating, mounting type, jaw type, slider type, the height range and the release date are listed but not scored.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated. Features score neutral only when none of the four is published; otherwise each unpublished feature counts as missing. The exception is warranty: a maker that doesn’t publish one gets no warranty counted, so that factor scores zero, the same as the shortest warranty on the scale, and is marked estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.