I saw this hitch at the Florida RV SuperShow a few weeks ago and was impressed. If you tow a fifth wheel and miss using your truck bed on non-towing days, this hitch provides a solution.
Demco calls the Recon Stealth™ a foldable gooseball-mounted, fifth wheel hitch. It easily collapses for compact storage yet quickly returns to full towing duty when you need it. I was duly impressed by the demonstration I saw. [If Demco’s website is down, here’s some info about the Recon Stealth on etrailer.com.]
The problem
I’ve lived with the fifth wheel hitch problem. You want a safe, solid hitch to haul your fifth wheel RV, but do not want that hitch to lay claim to your truck bed forever.
Removing a fifth wheel hitch is not an easy job. That hitch is heavy and awkward. Both my husband and I had to work together to lift the hitch up and off the truck whenever we needed the truck bed to haul other things.
Removing the cumbersome hitch was only the first step. Next, where do we store it? Then, what if we decide to take an impromptu RV trip? You guessed it! Both of us had to manhandle the beast back into the truck bed.
The hitch proved to be problematic no matter what we wanted to do. It appears Demco figured out a solution! They’ve come up with a high-capacity hitch without the hassle of frequent, awkward, heavy installs and removals.
Demco’s Recon Stealth
The Recon Stealth folds using a patent-pending base, so it takes up much less room in the truck bed when stowed. The design breaks into manageable pieces (a three-piece steel system), so each part is relatively easy to carry. What’s more, it can be tucked away in a storage compartment or on an optional (and very handy) bulkhead-mounted rack.
Demco says the unit converts from storage mode to tow-ready in under five minutes with only a torque wrench and two sockets. Nice! The company also points to features familiar to Recon owners: a wrap-around jaw with lock bar, dual-articulation head for smoother towing, and compatibility with standard 2-5/16″ gooseballs.
Capacity and ratings
The representative I spoke with said Demco’s Recon Stealth carries a substantial 20,000-pound gross trailer weight rating. If you tow near that range, double-check your truck’s towing and payload numbers before committing to buying.
What I liked
• Space recovery: The primary appeal is the practical one. You can fold and stow the hitch to use your bed for cargo, tailgating, or weekend projects without permanently losing the option to tow a fifth wheel. That’s a genuine improvement for me, and I imagine many truck owners.
• Tooling and quick setup: The under-five-minute reassembly (using basic tools) is compelling. Compared to older heavy hitches that require two people, the Recon Stealth is a game-changer. The smaller, lighter sections are easier to handle for one person. (I easily lifted the three individual parts.)
• Familiar Recon features: Demco built the Recon Stealth to include the dual-articulation head and secure jaw system common on its previous hitches. That continuity should make it easier for owners of other Recon gear to transition.
Some unknowns
• New product unknowns: As with any category-first product, long-term reliability and real-world durability will only be proven with time and owner reports. Early press pieces and show demos are promising, but independent long-term testing is still limited.
• Compatibility and fit: The Stealth uses a gooseball-mounted approach. Make sure your truck’s goose neck ball setup is compatible. Your weight distribution and pin box geometry need to match your trailer’s needs. Not every truck/trailer pair behaves the same in the real world.
• Price and availability: Demco’s initial announcements focused on specs and show demonstrations. Potential buyers of the Recon Stealth fifth wheel hitch should factor in installation costs, potential accessories like the MOLLE rack, and any professional setup or alignment into their budget.
• Weight and storage trade-offs: While the hitch folds, it’s steel and has some heft to it. You’ll regain usable bed length, but you still must store the folded components in a secure location.
• Compatibility with short-bed truck: Will the new folding hitch work in a short-bed truck? It should, according to the salespeople at the Florida RV SuperShow. However, keep in mind that the company hasn’t released the full fit details: The exact weight of the hitch has not been formally released. Neither has Demco officially reported the towing capacity of the new hitch. So, there’s quite a lot we don’t know—yet. Demco promises to announce more details soon (early 2026).
Tips for buying
Before you sign on, confirm the exact trailer weight and your truck’s towing/payload numbers.
- Ask your dealer to demonstrate folding, setup, and storage.
- If you plan to store the hitch components inside your RV’s basement compartment, verify clearances and fastening options. Consider the optional MOLLE rack if you want a dedicated, secure bulkhead location.
- Ask about warranty terms and dealer service for folding components.
More information
Watch Demco’s video to see the folding action and hands-on demo.
Would you consider Demco’s new folding hitch? Tell us your reasoning using the comments below.
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RVT1250b
Yes I would consider this dependent on weight rating and price