Forum Discussion

mountainsam's avatar
mountainsam
Explorer
Sep 20, 2015

hitch replacement help

Recently, due to the Valley fire in California, my wife and I are force to become full timers. My fifth wheel hitch was in the garage but my Puck rail was still mounted in the truck. I saved the truck but that's all. Luckily the trailer was stored in a commercial storage lot that was also saved from the fire. Now I have to decide if I purchase another Reese 16k or some other brand. The Reese served me well but was quite noisy. I have a side winder pin box on the 5er so finding the proper wedge will also be an issue if I change brands. Any suggestions. Please, this is a very serious question I would like to hear your opinions, but please, no brand bashing.
Thanks for you help.

Sam
  • Rich1961's avatar
    Rich1961
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    I'm sorry for your's and everyone elses loss with that fire. Your area has been hit particularly hard this year.

    Since you have the factory puck system on your truck, I'd recommend the B&W 3600 for your truck. With the long bed, you don't need to have the Sidewinder hitch for your 5ver. I have the B&W Companion and it is a very smooth and quiet hitch. Not the least expensive, but one of the best non air ride hitches out there.

    Rich
  • mountainsam's avatar
    mountainsam
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    Thank Rich. I didn't think about locking out the turret and therefore the wedge wouldn't.t be necessary. I'll. Put that one on the short list.
  • ZOSO's avatar
    ZOSO
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    Sorry for your trouble mate. I chose B&W and can highly recommend.
  • csamayfield55x's avatar
    csamayfield55x
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    I would go Anderson Ultimate or B&W. After seeing the damage that my FIL's Reese had I would never out that hitch in anything again

    Chris
  • TomHaycraft's avatar
    TomHaycraft
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    Mountainsam, thoughts are with you and all others suffering the effects from this year's fires.

    I saw the other reference to pinning the Sidewinder. I did that earlier this summer when I moved to a long bed truck. Just the cost of a couple grade 8 bolts, nuts and washers, works great. One less expense unless / until you want to upgrade to a pinbox that can absorb some shock.

    Best of luck, keep up posted on how the recovery goes.
  • GoldWingRyder's avatar
    GoldWingRyder
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    CumminsDriver wrote:
    I'm sorry for your's and everyone elses loss with that fire. Your area has been hit particularly hard this year.

    Since you have the factory puck system on your truck, I'd recommend the B&W 3600 for your truck. With the long bed, you don't need to have the Sidewinder hitch for your 5ver. I have the B&W Companion and it is a very smooth and quiet hitch. Not the least expensive, but one of the best non air ride hitches out there.

    Rich


    X2 Bob
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Sep 20, 2015
    B&W RVK3600 ZERO SLOP!

    Simple solid design, you know for a FACT if you are hitched just by looking at the 1"thick machined jaws wrapped around the kingpin and the handle CLOSED AND LOCKED.

    Sorry for what you went thru but there is a new future waiting for you!

  • cmeade's avatar
    cmeade
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    I vote for the B&W also. Mine has been great in over 10K miles towing and never a problem locking the hitch. Look in and jaws around pin then pull the lever and pin it. BTW I have driven from hwy 29 on 175 (Kelseyville) all the way thru Middletown and the fire destroyed almost everything. It is impossible to imagine the extent of all the destruction. Thank goodness the National Guard showed to help with security. What the fire didn't destroy the looters are trying to steal. They opened Hwy 29 from Lower Lake to Middletown at noon today and about 2 miles of cars waiting to get thru. Hope all the best for you and yours!!!
  • YnotTurbo's avatar
    YnotTurbo
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    Sorry to hear about the fire. I have a Curt Q24. I have had a Q20 too. Very solid hitch. Bought mine on Amazon prime and it showed up in two days. Took about 25 minutes to put the legs on and drop in the bed of my truck.
  • mountainsam's avatar
    mountainsam
    Explorer
    Sep 21, 2015
    Thank you all for the well wishes and information. Hopefully we will get up to Cobb in the next day or two. We feel we were much luckier than most. We have the 5er.

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