B & W Hitches - which one

I've got the companion as well. You can remove this hitch from the bed in about 5 minutes. Its comes apart to two pieces so that one person can handle it. Super simple and very glad I got it.

homefor2 wrote:
I'm thinking of buying a new B & W hitch and have looked at both the Patriot and Companion. I don't have a problem with rails in the bed and my truck is rated to tow under 16,000 lbs so considering that and I will probably never haul a goose neck, should I just buy the cheaper Patriot hitch? The reason I am asking is everyone seems to have the Companion.

Even though I occasionally tow a GN, my biggest concern was having a clean bed, so I opted for the Turnover Ball as my base. The total package wasn't that much more than a rail-type hitch. The other thing that really turned me off of rails was when I helped my late b-i-l take his FW hitch out of his truck. It hadn't been out for a long time, so we flooded the rails with WD40, then proceeded to use my truck and a tow strap to slide it out. No thanks.

Lyle

I do, on occasion, haul a GN trailer, but, I would still opt for the Companion even if I didn't. If you ever haul sheet goods (plywood, drywall, paneling, etc) you will come to appreciate the "no rails" installation and smooth bed floor that it leaves with the hitch out. Need to set many boxes in the bed and be able to slide them around for loading? Smooth bed far easier. Need mulch (bulk) and have to shovel it out? Smooth bed much easier.

Either system will be a fine choice, but, if you want the easiest to use setup for other uses of your truck's bed, the Companion is the better choice. You can deal with rails (and lots of folks do) or you can not have to bother with them with the Companion. IMHO, most Patriot users chose that model because they already had rails, but, wanted to "trade up" to the benefits and quality of the B&W line of hitches.

For me the Companion was the way to go because of no rails when removed.

I have a Patriot because I had a Reese before and already had the rails. By far it was the best upgrade I ever made. I've had it for 2 1/2 yrs and close to 20k miles and LOVE it. If I didn't have the rails already installed...I would have went the Companion route due to the fact of the higher capacity. We are planning to get a bigger 5er in the next couple of years.

I've had the Patriot for only a couple months and maybe 2000 miles. Love it. Don't care about the rails. Hitch is super easy to work. Only down side is if you have to change the height of the plate then you need small hands (wife) to get the nuts and bolts out to move the supports. It's easier to have the wife help than undo the hitch from the rails and turn it over.

Which ever one you get, B & W both will do from the research i have read.
Get the biggest rated B & W so you can for trade up later on. I am looking to get the Companion like the idea of no rails and can remove the hitch to haul supplies.
Best of luck,
Scott

I will probably never pull a gooseneck either. I with brirene on this one, I like not having rails in the bed, they make it a hassle to haul some things.

If you don't mind rails in the bed, then the Patriot would probably do the job for you. Personally, I like having the flat bed, but not to the point of being a deal breaker. Either B&W will have you singing its praises. Its a great, American made hitch.