Forum Discussion

KKELLER14K's avatar
KKELLER14K
Explorer II
Mar 10, 2016

Tell me more about your hitch

A hitch WAR is not what I'm looking for. I get it. I would prefer that if anyone has one of these hitches tell me what you like and dislike about it. I really don't care what you paid for it or where it comes from... I'm ok with A side by side comparison if you have had more than one...who has this option to decide?...You tell us If You have had any of them to compare.... I want the real world to tell me what you think. SO throw me a bone and tell me why yours works for you. I am back to the question of.." Why wouldn't you buy the biggest rated hitch you could get?" Regardless...

38 Replies

  • I have used a Reese 20k for years, sometimes difficult to disengage, painted jaws white, better visual of when they are closed completely
  • I have had a B&W Companion with the Turnover ball mount and it was excellent. Easy to hitch with auto locking jaws and is very robust. Looking to smooth out some ride issues I sold it and went to a Trailer Saver BD3. It is very similar to the B&W in the way it works and is also very well built. The difference of course is the air ride really makes for a smooth ride as the air bags absorb most of the motion between the truck and the fifth wheel.
  • My original hitch was a 18K Pullrite Superglide. This was a great hitch. I loved it. It automatically slide when turning.
    2 things that I really did not care for but not enough to change my mind on opinion of it.

    1. Need to be almost perfectly straight to hook and unhook.
    2. Difficult to tow someone else's fifth wheel to help. Need caption plate.


    I now have a 18K B&W companion slider. I love this hitch just as much.
    I do have 1 issue with this one as well. I have a short bed truck the height of hitch vs bed rails when hitch is slid back I hit tailgate when turning. Now I can take care of this by raising nose of fifth wheel but I will not sit level. Another option is to make a little extension to open tailgate part way when I have it slid back.
    I can turn 90 degrees with out hitting cab in forward position. But need to be careful.

    In my opinion these are both GREAT hitches.
  • I had a B&W companion with turn over ball in the 2011, loved it. I just installed the B&W in the new truck with the puck system, awesome. I have no experience with other 5th wheel hitches.
  • B&W was my first choice when I bought my first 5th wheel in 2004. (NO Puck system back then)I need a flat floor in the truck, when I'm not pulling the trailer. It is a little heavier than some hitch's but not so much that I can't move it in and out.

    It's easy to see when the jaws are closed. I don't believe I have ever heard of anyone having a problem with it.
  • LOL good luck on your thread turning into another my brand is best bash.

    Due to my hauling business I've used several 5th wheel hitch brands over many years.
    My current 19 year old 16k Reese manual slider still works like a hot knife through butter with no banging or clunking. Other hitch brands were from SAF-Holland/Hijacker/Pullrite/Atwood.

    I'm not a fan of the biggest isn't better as some RV folks when it comes to things like hitches/truck size/etc.
    When choosing a 5th wheel hitch for my business I found a a 20k hitch worked fine for a 18k trailer. Hell I could have gone on up to a 75k load and 150k lb draw 5th wheel hitch from SAF-Holland but why..... doing so just adds price and didn't accomplish anything.

    I don't have anything bad to say about the different hitch brands I've used other than each had there own pluses and minus in the way they operated.
  • Halmfamily wrote:
    My original hitch was a Reese 16k slider on my old F350 short bed. It groaned and creaked a lot and did not like the way it hitched up. Could not always tell if truely hitched. We always do a pull test.

    New truck and went with a B&W Companion and Turnover Ball system. Absolutely love this setup. When I remove the hitch truck bed is fully cleared. Hitch is very solid and noise free while towing. Easy connect and disconnect of trailer and I think darn near impossible to high hitch. This hitch is a keeper.


    My Reese was about the same. I just installed a B&W Patriot. Our first trip will be in two weeks with it.
  • My original hitch was a Reese 16k slider on my old F350 short bed. It groaned and creaked a lot and did not like the way it hitched up. Could not always tell if truely hitched. We always do a pull test.

    New truck and went with a B&W Companion and Turnover Ball system. Absolutely love this setup. When I remove the hitch truck bed is fully cleared. Hitch is very solid and noise free while towing. Easy connect and disconnect of trailer and I think darn near impossible to high hitch. This hitch is a keeper.