Just curious if anyone is so dissatisfied with their present 5er hitch that they would go out and spend the money it takes to buy a different hitch. I see these posts about Anderson, Reese, B&W, etc and I wonder if anyone will spend the money to change their hitch based on such recommendations. I had a hitch I really liked in my old truck (F250 Powerstroke w/Cody Coupler gooseneck) but the new truck (2500HD Duramax) came with a Reese slider. I have no real complaints and do not think it is worth the $$$$ to change back, unless I could do so for free :D, BUT I do think about it sometimes.So the question is are there 5er people that are so dissatisfied with their present hitch that they would be willing to spend money to change. Assuming you did not buy a 16000lb hitch and realized you had a 25000lb trailer ;) I am not trying to start a debate about one hitch versus another. Lets face it we all pretty much believe the other guy bought the wrong hitch and we bought the right hitch for what ever reason.

I am thinking about getting a hitch that will have air ride on it, but probably would rather buy the trailer with a air ride package on it. I don't have a fifth wheel, but will need to buy a hitch soon, if I go the trailer route. I still am thinking about a motorhome, but have not made up my mind at this point.Back in the 90's, when I last considered a fifth wheel, the hitch did not rock side to side, like today. And you could not pick 3 mounting styles either. They have become much easier to remove from the truck bed, and you can get a handy device to catch the pin, should it fall out of the hitch for whatever reason.Good luck,Fred.

Torklift in my opinion buy once and have peace of mind.

I think the average fifth wheel owner gets a hitch, and hooks up ,and goes. I never gave any thought at all to hitches until I started reading some of the ridiculous claims about hitches. IMO a hitch is a hitch. They serve only one purpose .Best advice instead of pounding a certain brand of fifth wheel hitches down someones throat , is to pound into them proper hitching procedures.To answer the OP ,my only consideration for changing hitches would be to change from a manual slider to an automatic. My advice to anyone with the little price difference of manual slider compared to a automatic, just go with the automatic ,and be done with any hassle involved with a manual slider.

When I was looking for a hitch it was between Reese elite or B&W. I finally decided on the Reese and went for quotes. Turned out the LineX dealer did all kinds of truck upgrades including hitches. He had the best price, and could do both jobs at the same time so we set a date. He called me a day later and said he couldn't get the Reese for at least a week but his supplier had the B&W in stock for the same quoted price. 5 years and 30,000 miles towing and no reason to change.

stickdog wrote:When I was looking for a hitch it was between Reese elite or B&W. I finally decided on the Reese and went for quotes. Turned out the LineX dealer did all kinds of truck upgrades including hitches. He had the best price, and could do both jobs at the same time so we set a date. He called me a day later and said he couldn't get the Reese for at least a week but his supplier had the B&W in stock for the same quoted price. 5 years and 30,000 miles towing and no reason to change.Almost the reverse situation for me. Penda liner with cuts for the hitch came on the truck. While I wanted the spray on liner and the turnover gooseball. But, I cannot say I am unhappy, after all I got a new truck :DI guess I could add that the new truck was a X-mas present and I had no say in picking it. The old truck was broke down in Del Rio and my wife showed up with the new truck to tow the 5er home. Her money, her choices,plus it is in her name :D (Her car is in my name for the same reason)

Are you dissatisfied enough to change your hitch?

77 Replies

cummins2014
Explorer
May 11, 2015
ralphnjoann wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Anyone see a pattern here? Had brand X changed to B&W and are very happy. I never see, had B&W changed to brand X and are very happy.

If you like what you have that's great! My comments are directed to people in the market or thinking about changing.

The only pattern I see here is the incessant braying by some B&W owners about the preceived superiority of their hitch. I agree with Lantley's observation that, "...the point of the thread is not which hitch is best. But what would it take to make you change to a different hitch."

I can tell you without a doubt all the cheerleading in the world won't convince me to buy a B&W. There is nothing superior about a B&W except the high price.

Whats amazing is one long time member fell pray to the B&W hype, with no apparent reason to get rid of his Reese hitch. We can be sheep at times.
ralphnjoann
Explorer
May 10, 2015
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Anyone see a pattern here? Had brand X changed to B&W and are very happy. I never see, had B&W changed to brand X and are very happy.

If you like what you have that's great! My comments are directed to people in the market or thinking about changing.

The only pattern I see here is the incessant braying by some B&W owners about the perceived superiority of their hitch. I agree with Lantley's observation that, "...the point of the thread is not which hitch is best. But what would it take to make you change to a different hitch."
cummins2014
Explorer
May 10, 2015
Lantley wrote:
I think the point of the thread is not which hitch is best. But what would it take to make you change to a different hitch.
I have a Hensley BD3 air hitch.
On thing I have learned about RV'ing over the years is to get it right the first time vs. upgrading later.
I bought an air hitch because I did not want to find myself needing to upgrade later. I am very satisfied with my hitch.
When the time comes to buy a new truck I may take a look at what the market has to offer in the way of improvements. But like most, I have no intentions of changing from the BD3 hitch I currently have in my truck.

I'm sure your hitch works great. I have no experience with hitches ,but the two I've had , both Reese hitches. Got a good buy on a 16K reese sliding hitch, it worked great.Bought a new fifth wheel that was heavier, and wanted a higher rated hitch. Bought a 18K Reese sliding hitch, and have never looked back. MorRyde pin box ,and conventional hitch has been a great combination.
Lantley
Nomad
May 10, 2015
I think the point of the thread is not which hitch is best. But what would it take to make you change to a different hitch.
I have a Hensley BD3 air hitch.
On thing I have learned about RV'ing over the years is to get it right the first time vs. upgrading later.
I bought an air hitch because I did not want to find myself needing to upgrade later. I am very satisfied with my hitch.
When the time comes to buy a new truck I may take a look at what the market has to offer in the way of improvements. But like most, I have no intentions of changing from the BD3 hitch I currently have in my truck.
cummins2014
Explorer
May 10, 2015
jalichty wrote:
We have had a Reese 16,000 manual slider for about 12 years, moved it from truck to truck to truck when changing out trucks. Doesn't swivel, go side to side or anything fancy and it's a manual slider, but it has never, up to now, lost my FWs and it is very easy to hitch and un-hitch. Why would I switch when there doesn't appear to be anything wrong. Now, if I were to go to a heavier FW, then I might switch out, but then I'l have to get a different truck because, according to some on here, I'm almost overweight with my 3/4 ton and my Jayco Superlite 26.5 RLS.

Its funny that we get to hear the bad about Reese, probably the big reason is they are 10 to 1 over the other brands. Yes we do hear issues about B&W , but that seems to be okay. As said I will keep my Reese no reason whatsoever to change.
jalichty
Explorer
May 09, 2015
We have had a Reese 16,000 manual slider for about 12 years, moved it from truck to truck to truck when changing out trucks. Doesn't swivel, go side to side or anything fancy and it's a manual slider, but it has never, up to now, lost my FWs and it is very easy to hitch and un-hitch. Why would I switch when there doesn't appear to be anything wrong. Now, if I were to go to a heavier FW, then I might switch out, but then I'l have to get a different truck because, according to some on here, I'm almost overweight with my 3/4 ton and my Jayco Superlite 26.5 RLS.
larry_barnhart
Explorer
May 09, 2015
colliehauler wrote:
I have had zero issues with my 20k Reese hitch. If I did upgrade it would be to a air ride hitch. I never take the hitch out of the truck (Its a dedicated 5th wheel puller).

Our truck is as yours is just for pulling the awesome 35 ft alpenlite we have slept if for over 7 years. tool boxes and inbed fuel tank and a great 20K reese/easyrider airhitch. 2nd truck for this hitch.

chevman
cummins2014
Explorer
May 09, 2015
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Anyone see a pattern here? Had brand X changed to B&W and are very happy. I never see, had B&W changed to brand X and are very happy.

If you like what you have that's great! My comments are directed to people in the market or thinking about changing.

No doubt the B&W is a great hitch, would I buy it, not a chance. If I was in the market I would get the Andersen long before any B&W hitch. It would be crazy not to get an Andersen. Cost, ease of removal ,strong etc etc.

Bottom line I love the hitch I have ,Reese, it has given me no reason to change. Regardless of your many attempts to discredit Reese hitches.
colliehauler
Explorer III
May 09, 2015
I have had zero issues with my 20k Reese hitch. If I did upgrade it would be to a air ride hitch. I never take the hitch out of the truck (Its a dedicated 5th wheel puller).
partsman01
Explorer
May 09, 2015
Had an across the bed hijacker I bought used, worked well for me, but did not like the rails across the bed, so when I saw a like new hijacker 16SL for cheap I bought it, did not need a slider with my 8 foot box, but for the price it was worth getting, so now can shovel out stuff or slide stuff in without hanging up on the cross rails in the way.

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Are you dissatisfied enough to change your hitch?

77 Replies

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