Best hitch (non-slider)

prairie camper wrote:

Me Again wrote:

hutchman wrote:

Me Again wrote:
I sure have liked my Hijacker that I got in 97. Two trucks and two trailers. Still going strong. Never a question on latching with a sliding bar. Chris

I truly agree on the sliding bar, but question why it is not more popular...Any thoughts?

Those that do not like the design claim that the bar and/or the pin will wear at the single contact point with the bar. I have had mine in service for many years as stated above and not seen that issue. And believe me that it did a lot of jerking around for many years with the old Prodigy brake controller(to much boost/not enough boost). Now with the MaxBrake there is very little slamming around back there. The HiJacker has an adjustment for free play. Front of pin is in a U shaped saddle, that is the part that adjusts for free play, then the large bar slides behind the pin when latched. It would be very difficult to mis-hitch or high hitch with this design. I padlock the handle once once it slides in for rest stops and WMs. We tow four days straight between Washington and Arizona without unhitch many times.

Chris

That is the one I have had for over 12 yrs. (Hijacker 16000k) towed all over North America with no problems! Have no experience with other types! Trying to understand how it would be possible to mis-hitch with this type as when you back in the pin hits the forward part of the hitch and the handle slides in, you visually check the slide bar for proper engagement then you lock pin the handle, done deal!! P.S. the padlock the handle ,good idea, thanks. And another question, after having done this why would I need to do a pull test?

I don't! Chris

Me Again wrote:

hutchman wrote:

Me Again wrote:
I sure have liked my Hijacker that I got in 97. Two trucks and two trailers. Still going strong. Never a question on latching with a sliding bar. Chris

I truly agree on the sliding bar, but question why it is not more popular...Any thoughts?

Those that do not like the design claim that the bar and/or the pin will wear at the single contact point with the bar. I have had mine in service for many years as stated above and not seen that issue. And believe me that it did a lot of jerking around for many years with the old Prodigy brake controller(to much boost/not enough boost). Now with the MaxBrake there is very little slamming around back there. The HiJacker has an adjustment for free play. Front of pin is in a U shaped saddle, that is the part that adjusts for free play, then the large bar slides behind the pin when latched. It would be very difficult to mis-hitch or high hitch with this design. I padlock the handle once once it slides in for rest stops and WMs. We tow four days straight between Washington and Arizona without unhitch many times.

Chris

That is the one I have had for over 12 yrs. (Hijacker 16000k) towed all over North America with no problems! Have no experience with other types! Trying to understand how it would be possible to mis-hitch with this type as when you back in the pin hits the forward part of the hitch and the handle slides in, you visually check the slide bar for proper engagement then you lock pin the handle, done deal!! P.S. the padlock the handle ,good idea, thanks. And another question, after having done this why would I need to do a pull test?

hutchman wrote:

Me Again wrote:
I sure have liked my Hijacker that I got in 97. Two trucks and two trailers. Still going strong. Never a question on latching with a sliding bar. Chris

I truly agree on the sliding bar, but question why it is not more popular...Any thoughts?

Those that do not like the design claim that the bar and/or the pin will wear at the single contact point with the bar. I have had mine in service for many years as stated above and not seen that issue. And believe me that it did a lot of jerking around for many years with the old Prodigy brake controller(to much boost/not enough boost). Now with the MaxBrake there is very little slamming around back there. The HiJacker has an adjustment for free play. Front of pin is in a U shaped saddle, that is the part that adjusts for free play, then the large bar slides behind the pin when latched. It would be very difficult to mis-hitch or high hitch with this design. I padlock the handle once once it slides in for rest stops and WMs. We tow four days straight between Washington and Arizona without unhitch many times.

Chris

hutchman wrote:

Me Again wrote:
I sure have liked my Hijacker that I got in 97. Two trucks and two trailers. Still going strong. Never a question on latching with a sliding bar. Chris

I truly agree on the sliding bar, but question why it is not more popular...Any thoughts?

For one they clunk when taking off and stopping, very annoying!

IMO which hitch is best is like which truck is best. Answers can come from brand cheer leaders with little experience other than their equipment is always best.

I see less problems reported with Curt and Pullrite on some of the commercial field/hauler forums. These folks use the equipment every day. Some wear the hitch out after 3-5 years.

B&W-you won't be sorry.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

hone eagle wrote:
Have any proponents of reese,B&W et all ever gone back to a solid after using a air ride hitch?






didnt think so

My B&W is awesome, it works great with the TrailSaver AirRide extended pin box. I am sure the combo I have works similar to what you are talking about. Hitch easily removes from the truck leaving a clear bed. Not heavy as what you are talking about.

Very good point.
pick ups are very wieght sensitive.The air pin box is the best compromise ,its just that they have a little less then 1/2 the range of motion and it stays with the trailer, if that matters to the OP.

Me Again wrote:
I sure have liked my Hijacker that I got in 97. Two trucks and two trailers. Still going strong. Never a question on latching with a sliding bar. Chris

I truly agree on the sliding bar, but question why it is not more popular...Any thoughts?

I like my B&W Companion. I like being able to pull it out and have a clear bed. I also looked at the Hensley but it was out of my price range and without a built in compressor to be able to adjust the air pressure it just seemed cumbersome to maintain. If I were traveling more than my current schedule allows I may have sprung for it since all my research seemed to show it was a solid hitch and made for a nice ride.

hone eagle wrote:
Have any proponents of reese,B&W et all ever gone back to a solid after using a air ride hitch?






didnt think so

My B&W is awesome, it works great with the TrailSaver AirRide extended pin box. I am sure the combo I have works similar to what you are talking about. Hitch easily removes from the truck leaving a clear bed. Not heavy as what you are talking about.