your thoughts on hitch jaws

I like the wrap around Pullrite style.

I have pulled with our twin jaw for over 20 miles on freeway, and country roads and crossing RR track all in the same trip with the handle UNLOCKED :S !! 5er was still there no issues. Look at the picture below and you will understand why I trust this hitch. Even more after the release handle Modification.

Due to the location of the pivot pins for the jaws the harder you pull the tighter they close, Back to High School physics.

modification.

The handle modification to me is the best thing you can do to prevent any chance of the pin box hitting the release handle.

BEFORE!



AFTER!

My thoughts are that ALL jaw types are safe and secure when properly hitched... None are safe if not hitched properly.

A few times a year we will have someone post about having hitching problems only to find that they are trying to lower the king pin into the fifth wheel hitch...scary and frustrating to the user.

Most issues seem to be related to user error.

The Reese dual jaw design is my favorite, I like that you don't have to manually open the jaws, just back into them with the safety latch open and they will automagically unlatch and latch back around the kingpin. I also like the jaws pivot being physically behind the king pin when hitched...meaning the harder the truck pulls the trailer the tighter the jaws close.

B&W and Curt both have a pivot in front of the king pin when hitched. Is it safe? Yes it is...but I prefer the Reese dual jaw design.

Husky and Some Reese hitched have a single jaw design which is very nice. Gives you the security advantage of the sliding bar and the comfortable ride of the dual jaw (360°contact).

Personally, I don't own a fiver or a hitch right now. But if I were spending money I would own either a Reese or a B&W Patriot...with the edge going to Reese simply by the design of the dual jaws pivot point.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Me Again wrote:
I have been using the same old style Hijacker sliding bar for 18 years. I will hate to give it up some day! Most likely 60-70K miles of towing.

Love it!!!! No question when it is latched.

Chris

You really need to get out more.......70K (++) in 7 yrs. towing with wrap around single jaw.

LOVE IT!! No question when it is latched.


:B:B:B

I have been using the same old style Hijacker sliding bar for 18 years. I will hate to give it up some day! Most likely 60-70K miles of towing.

Love it!!!! No question when it is latched.

Chris

The jaws will provide a far superior towing experience than the slide bar. My first hitch was a Reese slide bar hitch that we used for almost 2 months, then upgraded to a Reese with jaws. At that point a lot of the front to back play was gone, especially when starting and stopping. Current truck has a B&W Companion with jaws, and it is even smoother than the Reese was.

Semi tractors have used the dual jaw 5th wheel (Holland,etc) for decades without issues, except maybe operator error. I prefer a hitch with jaws over the bar type as I have seen more wear on the bars even when lubed as the contact point is very small.

Sliding bar is old time style........flat straight edged bar against a round pin====small contact area. YES they lock and hold

Jaws.......single wrap around or double split jaws.......more contact area

ALL good hitch. Most problems are due to 'operator error'

I prefer 4-way pivot with jaw

I prefer the auto latching wrap around jaws that a lot of the hitches such as Reese Elite, Pullrite Super 5th, B&W, have. The type you mention has been used successfully for many years and has proven itself. But the wrap around just seems more secure.