Fifth Wheel Hitch Decision

tarheel2,

Check with your GM Dealer, they may be able to add the factory puck system to your truck. I ordered mine with it and it looks to be all bolt on. If you do there are other hitches out there rated for more than the B&W. Curt supplies the factory 5th wheel hitch for GM if you purchase from the dealer, and it is rated over 25k. If you haven't seen the factory prep yet, here is a couple pictures.







Rich

tarheel2 wrote:
The truck is in fact a 3500. And I came to this forum for some friendly experienced advise not slurred comments. The gentleman had a 2015 Chev 3500 I believe, and he had the B&W RVK3500. The frame was obviously bent as was shown in his pictures. B&W sent him another hitch, which also bent the same way. So he went to another brand. Now that part is a fact. Was it caused by a crown, I don't know. I checked my truck from fender to fender with a 2' level. Maybe 1/16 high in the center. I don't know how much rise he had? I can't image any brand of truck being less than 1/16" high in the center. For that matter I would imagine a sprayed in bed could be worse. As far as the B&W puck mount hitch, I would love it. My truck did not come with the puck system from the factory. I bought it new off the lot without it. I wonder if the puck system could be added? And I didn't come to this forum to bash the B&W hitch or anything or anyone else. I was only seeking advise from experienced knowledgeable people. Thanks to those that care.

Yep you have to have some thick skin to bad mouth the B&W hitch on here. As you saw the B&W fan boys don't care for that. The Reese Elite looks like it would be a good fit for you. Good luck, John

tarheel2 wrote:
Reese Elite looks good. Rated for 25,000 lbs.and pin rate 6250 lbs. Wonder how it rides? And it has the puck kit.

Have no issue with my Elite and it's rated for 26.5K.

Only have used it for 5 months but am very happy with it.

Reese Elite looks good. Rated for 25,000 lbs.and pin rate 6250 lbs. Wonder how it rides? And it has the puck kit.

The Reese Elite uses a puck system that can be installed after market & if my memory is working rated at 25000.
I am an Andersen Ultimate user & they go 24000lbs. No matter which brand, give yourself some safety margin on the rated wieght capacity , You might trade for a bigger rv.

Oh yes, forgot, my truck is dually (DRW).

The truck is in fact a 3500. And I came to this forum for some friendly experienced advise not slurred comments. The gentleman had a 2015 Chev 3500 I believe, and he had the B&W RVK3500. The frame was obviously bent as was shown in his pictures. B&W sent him another hitch, which also bent the same way. So he went to another brand. Now that part is a fact. Was it caused by a crown, I don't know. I checked my truck from fender to fender with a 2' level. Maybe 1/16 high in the center. I don't know how much rise he had? I can't image any brand of truck being less than 1/16" high in the center. For that matter I would imagine a sprayed in bed could be worse. As far as the B&W puck mount hitch, I would love it. My truck did not come with the puck system from the factory. I bought it new off the lot without it. I wonder if the puck system could be added? And I didn't come to this forum to bash the B&W hitch or anything or anyone else. I was only seeking advise from experienced knowledgeable people. Thanks to those that care.

RustyJC wrote:
The B&W Companion for the Ram is rated for 25K with over 6K pin weight. The only difference is the base since the Ram's factory pucks utilize a larger footprint, especially fore to aft, than the Ford or GM factory pucks.

However other hitch manufacturers have figured out how to get more than 20K out of their hitches for the Ford. Think B&W would have figured out how to do it as well.

When I asked my initial question to B&W, I also inquired about the possibility of a higher rated hitch in the future. Basically was told they have no plans to do so.

Just have to wonder why.

I have never read anything bad about the B&W hitches but . . .

I love my Hensley BD3 (14k fiver) and will never have anything but an air hitch.

The B&W Companion for the Ram is rated for 25K with over 6K pin weight. The only difference is the base since the Ram's factory pucks utilize a larger footprint, especially fore to aft, than the Ford or GM factory pucks.

Rusty