Best Hitch

cummins2014 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Look at the B&W it simply can't drop the 5er if the pin box and hitch are touching each other and the jaws are closed and the handle is locked. With the thick jaws it makes it easy to see of you are high hitched unlike others with thin jaws.

No need for a pull test as if you do what I just mentioned that is a visual test and good enough IMHO.

Sorry ,misquoted you .No need for a pull test , instead of not necessary to do a pull test.

Zactly, IMHO as I mentioned no need.

If I wanted an air ride hitch the Trailer Saver would at the top of the list. The others mentioned not so much. I don't need an air ride hitch as my truck has factory rear air and an air bag pin box. Rides GREAT!!!

RCMAN46 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Of course they ALL recommend a pull test. A pull test is no divergent than a visual test, it's a test!

My wife double checks me every time as she fully understands how the hitch works. Kinda like "did you put the butt plug in the boat" as she asks me every time before a launch.

I really don't care if people do a pull test or not. I think people should do what they feel comfortable with. Lot's of damage can be done not doing a pull test correctly.

Expand on the damage that can be done if a pull test is not done correctly.

My fault if "I" don't do a visual test as I laid out earlier.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Look at the B&W it simply can't drop the 5er if the pin box and hitch are touching each other and the jaws are closed and the handle is locked. With the thick jaws it makes it easy to see of you are high hitched unlike others with thin jaws.

No need for a pull test as if you do what I just mentioned that is a visual test and good enough IMHO.

Sorry ,misquoted you .No need for a pull test , instead of not necessary to do a pull test.

Learjet wrote:

Durb wrote:
It appears the award for "Best Hitch" has been given to the B&W Companion. I'm late to this thread (been camping), but I would like to nominate the Trailer Saver TS3 which I own.

- The Companion is made in USA, so is the Trailer Saver.
- The Companion uses heavy gauge steel, the TS3 is heavier, 1/4" plate with 3/4" solid steel risers.
- The Companion has thick jaws, those on the TS3 are thicker.
- The TS3 dissipates bouncing forces, the Companion doesn't.
- Due to the high hinge design, the TS3 dissipates chucking forces, the Companion doesn't.
- During panic braking, the TS3 causes the front of the trailer to push down loading the rear truck tires, a safety feature.
- The comfortable tow of the TS3 reduces driver fatigue, a safety feature.
- Shock mitigation of the TS3 protects the trailer's frame and the truck's electronics. The Companion doesn't do this.

The Companion is a good hitch, the TS3 just does so much more. In a "Best Hitch" competition, B&W would rank below Trailer Saver, Road master Comfort Ride, and Air Safe hitches. Due to the high prices, we just don't have as many fanboys.

What kind of maintenance does the TS3 need? What are the failure points...airbags? Which one is easier to remove? Which one cost less? Which one has better customer support?

Maintenance - Zerk fittings for the pivot rod similar to the need to grease the rubber donuts on the Companion.

Failure points - Don't know, never had a failure in six years.

Easier to remove - Based on this Criterium, the lightest hitch would then be the best hitch. "Best Hitch" was the question.

Cost - You get what you pay for. Pay less - get less.

Customer support - Don't know, never needed to call customer support. My guess is if you are calling customer support, you have problems.

Durb wrote:
It appears the award for "Best Hitch" has been given to the B&W Companion. I'm late to this thread (been camping), but I would like to nominate the Trailer Saver TS3 which I own.

- The Companion is made in USA, so is the Trailer Saver.
- The Companion uses heavy gauge steel, the TS3 is heavier, 1/4" plate with 3/4" solid steel risers.
- The Companion has thick jaws, those on the TS3 are thicker.
- The TS3 dissipates bouncing forces, the Companion doesn't.
- Due to the high hinge design, the TS3 dissipates chucking forces, the Companion doesn't.
- During panic braking, the TS3 causes the front of the trailer to push down loading the rear truck tires, a safety feature.
- The comfortable tow of the TS3 reduces driver fatigue, a safety feature.
- Shock mitigation of the TS3 protects the trailer's frame and the truck's electronics. The Companion doesn't do this.

The Companion is a good hitch, the TS3 just does so much more. In a "Best Hitch" competition, B&W would rank below Trailer Saver, Road master Comfort Ride, and Air Safe hitches. Due to the high prices, we just don't have as many fanboys.

What kind of maintenance does the TS3 need? What are the failure points...airbags? Which one is easier to remove? Which one cost less? Which one has better customer support?

It appears the award for "Best Hitch" has been given to the B&W Companion. I'm late to this thread (been camping), but I would like to nominate the Trailer Saver TS3 which I own.

- The Companion is made in USA, so is the Trailer Saver.
- The Companion uses heavy gauge steel, the TS3 is heavier, 1/4" plate with 3/4" solid steel risers.
- The Companion has thick jaws, those on the TS3 are thicker.
- The TS3 dissipates bouncing forces, the Companion doesn't.
- Due to the high hinge design, the TS3 dissipates chucking forces, the Companion doesn't.
- During panic braking, the TS3 causes the front of the trailer to push down loading the rear truck tires, a safety feature.
- The comfortable tow of the TS3 reduces driver fatigue, a safety feature.
- Shock mitigation of the TS3 protects the trailer's frame and the truck's electronics. The Companion doesn't do this.

The Companion is a good hitch, the TS3 just does so much more. In a "Best Hitch" competition, B&W would rank below Trailer Saver, Road master Comfort Ride, and Air Safe hitches. Due to the high prices, we just don't have as many fanboys.

RCMAN46 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Of course they ALL recommend a pull test. A pull test is no divergent than a visual test, it's a test!

My wife double checks me every time as she fully understands how the hitch works. Kinda like "did you put the butt plug in the boat" as she asks me every time before a launch.

I really don't care if people do a pull test or not. I think people should do what they feel comfortable with. Lot's of damage can be done not doing a pull test correctly.

Expand on the damage that can be done if a pull test is not done correctly.

If the front jacks are not raised enough, they can drag and bend. If they are raised too much and the hitch does not hold, the drop can damage the jacks as possibly the bed.

I clear my jacks about 1/2 to 1 inch from the ground.

Ken

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Of course they ALL recommend a pull test. A pull test is no divergent than a visual test, it's a test!

My wife double checks me every time as she fully understands how the hitch works. Kinda like "did you put the butt plug in the boat" as she asks me every time before a launch.

I really don't care if people do a pull test or not. I think people should do what they feel comfortable with. Lot's of damage can be done not doing a pull test correctly.

Expand on the damage that can be done if a pull test is not done correctly.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Of course they ALL recommend a pull test. A pull test is no divergent than a visual test, it's a test!

My wife double checks me every time as she fully understands how the hitch works. Kinda like "did you put the butt plug in the boat" as she asks me every time before a launch.

I really don't care if people do a pull test or not. I think people should do what they feel comfortable with. Lot's of damage can be done not doing a pull test correctly.

I have a traditional style 5th wheel hitch and do a "tug test" every time I hook it up. As far as dropping the trailer on the bed if I did not lock the hitch properly, I only lift the leveling jacks about 1/2 inch off the ground so it wouldn't be able to fall onto my truck bed.