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allen8106's avatar
allen8106
Explorer
Apr 28, 2020

Hitch and Pin Box Replacement

OK guys need your opinions, looking to replace my hitch and 5th wheel pin box. Hitch is a 10 year old Reese 15k Pro Series with a flat sliding bar to capture the king pin with about 35k miles of towing. The bar has developed a 1/4 moon shaped groove about 1/4" deep. The king pin on the camper has also developed about an 1/8"-3/16" deep grove in it and is 10 years old also. Jayco tells me the king pin isn't replaceable and the entire pin box has to be replaced. Reese tells me the slide bar on the hitch isn't replaceable and the entire hitch head has to be replaced.

I've always been told a weld is stronger than the original material so have considered just having a friend weld both to fill the grooves and move on but worry about long term viability of both.

As a result I'm considering just biting the bullet and replacing both with new. My truck is a 2018 GMC 3500 DRW with an 8' bed and the OEM puck system.

I'm considering a B&W Companion from my local RV parts shop for $1,045 + tax. I have no idea what I want or need for the pin box.

Thoughts?

22 Replies

  • allen8106 wrote:
    OK guys need your opinions, looking to replace my hitch and 5th wheel pin box. Hitch is a 10 year old Reese 15k Pro Series with a flat sliding bar to capture the king pin with about 35k miles of towing. The bar has developed a 1/4 moon shaped groove about 1/4" deep. The king pin on the camper has also developed about an 1/8"-3/16" deep grove in it and is 10 years old also. Jayco tells me the king pin isn't replaceable and the entire pin box has to be replaced. Reese tells me the slide bar on the hitch isn't replaceable and the entire hitch head has to be replaced.

    I've always been told a weld is stronger than the original material so have considered just having a friend weld both to fill the grooves and move on but worry about long term viability of both.

    As a result I'm considering just biting the bullet and replacing both with new. My truck is a 2018 GMC 3500 DRW with an 8' bed and the OEM puck system.

    I'm considering a B&W Companion from my local RV parts shop for $1,045 + tax. I have no idea what I want or need for the pin box.

    Thoughts?


    I HAD the Lippert Tri-Glide.... Lippert Flex-Air... Both were nice riding... I now have the Morryde and really like that one as well... I have only towed with the Morryde pin box for 1 season, but Think I like it better than the Lippert air/shock kits...

    as far as hitch's... I've used the Pullrite Superglide for many years on my SB and loved it...

    I just place the B&W Companion, OEM Puck system into my new truck, I have not used it yet, but hear nothing but compliments about it on all social media and online forums . . .
  • I would go Reese Goosebox since you have the OEM puck system.
    No dealing with a 5th hitch.