5th wheel hitch
ok - I currently do not have a 5th wheel. we sold the last one several years ago and later I sold the reese 15k pro series hitch and rails. The 5th wheel was a Wildcat, do not remember the length, ...
Forum Discussion
raston wrote:
I have run a Curt 20k hitch pulling a 29foot 5th for almost 10 years now. Works great. Solid connection, reliable, never had an issue.
You'll get lots of conflicting opinions on this topic, and lots of 'fan boy' posts promoting their hitch of choice while dismissing everything else as pure junk.
So, look at the ones with the features you're interested in and make your choice.
You can't really go wrong with ANY name brand hitch.
Enjoy!
Not to be a wise azz, but a 20k hitch for a 29' 5er? Kinda like a dually pulling a pop up. Can see why you wouldn't/shouldn't have any problems with this set up. I've only used 3 hitches since I started RVing back in '03. 1st was a Reese "X" weight rating (don't remember) that was a slider and just front/back pivot and was okay and never used the slider even tho it was in a short box truck. Then bought a used Reese 16k 4 way pivot non slider from dealer. Did have chucking and still thought it was a good hitch. I mean afeterall, Reese has been around forever right? When we got the new 5er, IMO, it was more than what I felt comfy with the Reese 16k, so went with B&W 18k Patriot. Yes it's heavy and so are it's frame & bed rails compared to Reese's. It has numerous adjustments you can choose from. NO chucking, solid latching. Wish I had gone this route years ago.
As for the debate on a solid bar or the pincers to lock behind the kingpin, little tidbit of info. I too always thought the solid bar is the best. In discussion with one of our mechanics in our shop (semis), I said this to him about the solid bar. His reply was just the opposite, so I asked him why. He said with a solid bar, you never really know if it actually is 100% "locked" even tho the handle maybe in all the way, whereas the pincer type, when you look at them you know it's locked as there is no gap between the 2 halves. I could see his point, but still felt the solid bar is best. Still see both on semi's and we currently have the solid bar and I not only get under trailer and shine flashlight into jaws t see if it's locked, there is about a 1'2"-3/4" area on the bar that looks different when it's locked, so I know it's all the way across the kingpin. Also, if the pull handle isn't 100% tight against the 5th wheel plate, I know it's not locked all the way. All I know is that I love the B&W.
