Fifth Wheel Hitch Decision

fj12ryder wrote:
The B&W is made in Kansas. I think we can consider that US made.

But that's where the gateway to Oz is, so you never know. :-)

Lyle

All of B&W's products are US made, that I'm aware of.

So far, everything I've bought from Curt has been US made too.

I prefer to do business with both Curt and B&W, rather than Reese, Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch, Fulton, Tow Power, and all the other companies that operate under that corporate umbrella, since most of their stuff is made in China, and doesn't cost any less than the American made products of Curt and B&W.

WTP-GC wrote:
Snip...
US made vs. China made? Please clarify which is which. The Andersen is US Made.

I will clarify it for you. He was not talking about the Andersen. He was referring to the Curt vs the B&W.

I agree with your previous comment - "move along"
Barney

The B&W is made in Kansas. I think we can consider that US made.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Inlaws RAM/CURT hitch in his LongHorn dually. He wishes he had the B&W but his came with the truck.

4 bolts of questionable grade holding the head to the base with the Curt and B&W has 8 grade 8. That right there is a HUGE difference.

Both hitches rated to 6,250# pin and 25K towing.

Not too hard to see what system is stronger.

Test? You mean like Andersen's "crush test video" ? That really proved a lot.....same hitch under hard braking alone caused the tubes to bend.

Also US Made VS China Made.

Why does he wish to have the B & W over the Curt?

You call those 4 bolts "questionable", so you don't know the grade, therefore how does that make a "HUGE" difference? Can't bolts be replaced fairly inexpensively?

How does one know that B & W didn't procure their bolts from the same factory in China that Curt did, just paid more for the head stamp?

I have a hard time seeing which one is stronger. They are both engineered the same, but someone is supposed to make the decision based upon visual appearance?

The crush test is valid. Anyone with an understanding of how physics are applied to such equipment with angular supports knows the legitimacy of such a test. In fact, the crush test exerts more pressure on the supports than any 5er on the market.

The entire internet world is aware of one Andersen UH hitch that failed with bent tubes. A more limited viewing audience (this forum) is now aware of one B & W Companion that failed. Score is tied. Move along.

US made vs. China made? Please clarify which is which. The Andersen is US Made.

otrfun wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
. . . they said "we test to the weakest component". Anyone with eyes can see the 20K B&W puck hitch for the Ford and GM's is built at least as strong and no doubt stronger than anything REESE or CURT has to offer that "rates" higher.

B&W is VERY Conservative in their ratings. That is why if I were the poster above I would have bought the B&W for his Ford and towed his DRV even if it weighed 21K.

Agree, every B&W product I've seen appears to be strong, well-built. If B&W made a hitch that adjusted lower than 16" I'd probably have one in my truck right now.

However, on the flipside, heft/weight, nice finish, great welds, and supposedly conservative ratings, by themselves, don't necessarily prove any specific realworld capability. To really prove anything, independent, stress testing would be helpful.

Would be nice if there was comparative test results available for B&W, Curt, Reese, and other hitches. Not just an "ease of use" or "gives the appearance of longevity and strength" test, but a no-holds barred, stress to the point of failure test---using some kind of (hydraulic??) test jig to simulate use with each of the Big 3 trucks (with static and dynamic loading).

Inlaws RAM/CURT hitch in his LongHorn dually. He wishes he had the B&W but his came with the truck.

4 bolts of questionable grade holding the head to the base with the Curt and B&W has 8 grade 8. That right there is a HUGE difference.

Both hitches rated to 6,250# pin and 25K towing.

Not too hard to see what system is stronger.

Test? You mean like Andersen's "crush test video" ? That really proved a lot.....same hitch under hard braking alone caused the tubes to bend.

Also US Made VS China Made.

Unfortunately, each brand of truck uses their own unique puck footprint pattern.

Rusty

Just a courious question, does GM use the Ford or Ram puck pattern or do they have their own?

Anderson ultimate and Love it.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
. . . they said "we test to the weakest component". Anyone with eyes can see the 20K B&W puck hitch for the Ford and GM's is built at least as strong and no doubt stronger than anything REESE or CURT has to offer that "rates" higher.

B&W is VERY Conservative in their ratings. That is why if I were the poster above I would have bought the B&W for his Ford and towed his DRV even if it weighed 21K.

Agree, every B&W product I've seen appears to be strong, well-built. If B&W made a hitch that adjusted lower than 16" I'd probably have one in my truck right now.

However, on the flipside, heft/weight, nice finish, great welds, and supposedly conservative ratings, by themselves, don't necessarily prove any specific realworld capability. To really prove anything, independent, stress testing would be helpful.

Would be nice if there was comparative test results available for B&W, Curt, Reese, and other hitches. Not just an "ease of use" or "gives the appearance of longevity and strength" test, but a no-holds barred, stress to the point of failure test---using some kind of (hydraulic??) test jig to simulate use with each of the Big 3 trucks (with static and dynamic loading).