Curt Hitch
Thanking about treading my 2008 Dodge short bed for a new 2015 Dodge 3500 short bed. I've got a SuperGlide in the 08 but the new 15 has the 5th wheel prep. kit from the factory and the SuperGlide won'...
Forum Discussion
I have a Curt 16530 and really like it, now. But it took some getting used to. There's something you need to know about the Curt -
The Curt Q20 is a different kind of hitch and is not hitched up like other hitches. Some people who have had other brands of hitches have trouble with this. I did too, until I realized the reason.
Most fifth wheel hitches “fall back” at an angle to provide a “ramp” for the trailer hitch plate to ride up on when hitching. This doesn’t work very well for the Curt hitch because of the way it is made. The Curt hitch has a solid steel shank that is affixed to the hitch plate that extends down into a thick, rigid, rubber mount. This mount provides damping and prevents most “chucking and bucking” prevalent in many hitches. When the hitch is not coupled, the "resting" or "static" position of the hitch plate is parallel to the ground instead of tilting back like most hitches. It does provide a slight bevel at the trailing edge of the hitch plate. When you are hitching to the Curt hitch, I have found it is best to elevate the trailer pin so that the hitch plate is almost at the same height as the truck hitch plate – within ½”. Most other hitches are a little more forgiving on the height because they will elevate the trailer 1-3 inches with the “Ramp”.
The bottom line is this – the Curt hitch is a little more finicky when hitching; but, once you get used to it, it’s no more difficult than the others, and the benefit is better damping and a smoother ride.
The Curt Q20 is a different kind of hitch and is not hitched up like other hitches. Some people who have had other brands of hitches have trouble with this. I did too, until I realized the reason.
Most fifth wheel hitches “fall back” at an angle to provide a “ramp” for the trailer hitch plate to ride up on when hitching. This doesn’t work very well for the Curt hitch because of the way it is made. The Curt hitch has a solid steel shank that is affixed to the hitch plate that extends down into a thick, rigid, rubber mount. This mount provides damping and prevents most “chucking and bucking” prevalent in many hitches. When the hitch is not coupled, the "resting" or "static" position of the hitch plate is parallel to the ground instead of tilting back like most hitches. It does provide a slight bevel at the trailing edge of the hitch plate. When you are hitching to the Curt hitch, I have found it is best to elevate the trailer pin so that the hitch plate is almost at the same height as the truck hitch plate – within ½”. Most other hitches are a little more forgiving on the height because they will elevate the trailer 1-3 inches with the “Ramp”.
The bottom line is this – the Curt hitch is a little more finicky when hitching; but, once you get used to it, it’s no more difficult than the others, and the benefit is better damping and a smoother ride.
