Ok, I am looking at replacing my reese 16k hitch I haven't been happy with it and had a couple issues, plus it is the older model that requires the picture frame for my ford puck system.With this in mind I am also thinking of the future and how we are planning to move to a bigger trailer in the next couple years, one that may push the 20k limit. So I have looked at the B&W but I only see it in 20k. also looked at the Curt Q24k. The curt is cheaper but I'm not sold on it. I know every B&W fanboy will say nothing is better, but does anybody have the curt and if so have you been happy with it? did it help with some of the chucking?

I've been very happy with my Curt Q20. It operates very smooth, no clunking or chucking, and hitching up is very easy. With the lock lever in the hitch position I position the base of the pinbox about even with the back tips of hitch head. As I back in the pinbox pushes down on the head and the jaws lock with a solid clunk. Over, done, and easy.I have had minor issues a couple of times unhooking. That was mostly related to having backed and stopped uphill and it the kingpin was putting excess pressure on the jaws and they wouldn't release. Now that I know that quirk it's easy to just make sure the pressure is off and it unhitches without a problem.The B&W is absolutely a fine hitch. If my budget would have allowed I would have spent the extra to get it. However, the price of the Curt fit what I could afford and it's been a great hitch for me. It is a lower price hitch but it's also a quality hitch.KJ

my reese hasn't been horrible but a couple times I had to remove the hitch head with the rv as the arm came off and wouldn't allow me to open the jaws. There is a c clip that keeps coming off, so I have run out of patience with it.The price for the curt is about $200 less then the B&W, I don't need the Gucci edition hitch just want reliability, strength and to be rid of the noise. My concern with the B&W is it being rated for 20k, if I buy a trailer that is 22k gvwr I don't want to be out shopping again.

Well if you want potential chucking go with the "Chinese Made" Curt, yes it is and don't let their deceiving advertising fool you. Reason???? Look at how far below the kingpin the heads pivot point is. Unhitching??? NOT always easy especially if your RV and truck are not on the same plane side to side. In-Law has the RAM/Curt on his RAM Dually, he wishes he had the Companion as he gets very frustrated with the operation. I have personally hitched and unhitched his Curt a few times and it's NOT as carefree as it should to put it politely.The ONLY reason the Ford and GM Puck Companions are rated at 20K is the attachment hardware. B&W rates to the lowest denominator.The head unit on the Ford and GM are EXACTLT the same as the 25K RAM puck hitch. I would any day trust the 20K Ford or GM hitches to 24K than the Curt.Now look at the attaching/latching system of each. Curt jaws 1/2", B&W a full 1" with machined jaws to properly fit around the kingpin.Latching on Curt is a push pull handle with color coding and a little flimsy place to pin it. B&W is a simple solid handle that you close and pin or lock. With the B&W you make sure the jaws are closed around the kingpin, the pinbox and hitch plates are touching and the latching handle is closed and pinned I prefer a lock.Oh another thing the Curt head is attached with two bolts each side and the B&W has 4 grade 8 bolts each side.Look at the base where it attaches with the Curt in comparison to the B&W. I do own a few Curt products that are quality and US Made, sad but all their 5er hitches are Made In China.Now for the visual comparison. Just remember Craftsman "rates" their shop vac to "develop" 6hp.

I knew you would be along soon to tell me why I want the B&W. Like I said my only concern was the weight rating, wife is looking at toy haulers for our future that could be exceeding the 20k mark. I have noticed the inch think jaws they have and wasn't able to find a size of the curt.

1jeep wrote:I knew you would be along soon to tell me why I want the B&W. Like I said my only concern was the weight rating, wife is looking at toy haulers for our future that could be exceeding the 20k mark. I have noticed the inch think jaws they have and wasn't able to find a size of the curt.Sorry I don't have a pic but the Curt jaws are 1/2". I am sure someone can show a pic. Call B&W and ask them why the GM and Ford puck Companions are only 20K. Remember when things are rated they have a factor built in. I would tow my 23K DRV with the Ford/GM puck 20K hitch without loosing a seconds sleep over it. Anyone being shown each hitch without any knowledge of ratings will pick the B&W as the most capable. Also the chucking thing is REAL.I had a guy come up to me last Summer while fueling he had a 17 DRW ford towing a big triple axle TH. He said he was having lots of chucking. His setup looked nice and level. I looked and sure enough he had the Curt.

Curt Q24 or B&W Companion 20 | Good Sam Community

MFL
Nomad II
Mar 02, 2018
1jeep wrote:
no turning back now I ordered the B&W.

Now I can be a fan boy also.

Congrats, yes you will be. Welcome to the club! You'll soon be recommending your new hitch to others.

Jerry
jaycocamprs
Explorer
Mar 05, 2018
1jeep wrote:
no turning back now I ordered the B&W.

Now I can be a fan boy also.

You will not regret it. I just went from a 16k Reese to the B&W for the GM puck mount. Takes a bit to relearn hitching/unhitching, but going down the road with out all that banging & clanging is worth it.
1jeep
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2018
Thanks this is what I was hoping to hear.
Travlingman
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2018
Cummins12V98 wrote:

The ONLY reason the Ford and GM Puck Companions are rated at 20K is the attachment hardware. B&W rates to the lowest denominator.

Since Curt's hitch rating is certified to SAE J2638, how is it not rated at its lowest denominator? I see that Reese's hitch is rated at 26.5K, also SAE certified.

On B&W's site, I see no mention of SAE certification. Are they? Also, if it is the attachment hardware that is causing the low rating, are you saying it is B&W's attachment hardware as other companies hitches are SAE rated at higher capacities using the puck system?
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 05, 2018
Travlingman wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

The ONLY reason the Ford and GM Puck Companions are rated at 20K is the attachment hardware. B&W rates to the lowest denominator.

Since Curt's hitch rating is certified to SAE J2638, how is it not rated at its lowest denominator? I see that Reese's hitch is rated at 26.5K, also SAE certified.

On B&W's site, I see no mention of SAE certification. Are they? Also, if it is the attachment hardware that is causing the low rating, are you saying it is B&W's attachment hardware as other companies hitches are SAE rated at higher capacities using the puck system?

B&W rates the whole assembly. You said it they rate their "hitches".

B&W will be the first to tell you they are VERY conservative with their ratings.

Seriously look at the B&W 20K companion that uses the TurnoverBall as a way to attach the hitch to the truck. Now look at the GM and Ford puck system, if B&W felt they could rate those puck hitches higher don't you think they would?

Just LOOKING at the spindly Curt side by side to the GM or Ford Puck B&W anyone with an objective eye would trust the B&W to a higher weight limit.
1jeep
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2018
Travil...good questions and I had the same ones, but I really think I had made up my mind on the B&W prior to my post, was only looking for the fan boys to push me to the purchase.

It doesn't make any sense that B&W doesn't offer a 25k for the ford and gm yet the claim of the ram 25k head being the same. If the weak link is the attachment point design than wouldn't all brands for the gm/ford be lower rated?

I suspect if my future holds a rv over the 20k rating ill be out shopping for another hitch.
Travlingman
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2018
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Travlingman wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

The ONLY reason the Ford and GM Puck Companions are rated at 20K is the attachment hardware. B&W rates to the lowest denominator.

Since Curt's hitch rating is certified to SAE J2638, how is it not rated at its lowest denominator? I see that Reese's hitch is rated at 26.5K, also SAE certified.

On B&W's site, I see no mention of SAE certification. Are they? Also, if it is the attachment hardware that is causing the low rating, are you saying it is B&W's attachment hardware as other companies hitches are SAE rated at higher capacities using the puck system?

B&W rates the whole assembly. You said it they rate their "hitches".

B&W will be the first to tell you they are VERY conservative with their ratings.

Seriously look at the B&W 20K companion that uses the TurnoverBall as a way to attach the hitch to the truck. Now look at the GM and Ford puck system, if B&W felt they could rate those puck hitches higher don't you think they would?

Just LOOKING at the spindly Curt side by side to the GM or Ford Puck B&W anyone with an objective eye would trust the B&W to a higher weight limit.

They(Curt, Reese) rate their hitch, the whole assembly, to an SAE standard.

So thanks for letting me know that it is the B&W that is the weak link.
Travlingman
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2018
1jeep wrote:
Travil...good questions and I had the same ones, but I really think I had made up my mind on the B&W prior to my post, was only looking for the fan boys to push me to the purchase.

It doesn't make any sense that B&W doesn't offer a 25k for the ford and gm yet the claim of the ram 25k head being the same. If the weak link is the attachment point design than wouldn't all brands for the gm/ford be lower rated?

I suspect if my future holds a rv over the 20k rating ill be out shopping for another hitch.

Made me wonder when I was researching for a new hitch in my truck. Didn't want to have to buy another hitch if I go over 20K on my next rig. Enjoy yours, as I had a B&W in my last truck and really liked it.
1jeep
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2018
If you had the B&W why did you not go with it again?
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 06, 2018
Travlingman wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Travlingman wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

The ONLY reason the Ford and GM Puck Companions are rated at 20K is the attachment hardware. B&W rates to the lowest denominator.

Since Curt's hitch rating is certified to SAE J2638, how is it not rated at its lowest denominator? I see that Reese's hitch is rated at 26.5K, also SAE certified.

On B&W's site, I see no mention of SAE certification. Are they? Also, if it is the attachment hardware that is causing the low rating, are you saying it is B&W's attachment hardware as other companies hitches are SAE rated at higher capacities using the puck system?

B&W rates the whole assembly. You said it they rate their "hitches".

B&W will be the first to tell you they are VERY conservative with their ratings.

Seriously look at the B&W 20K companion that uses the TurnoverBall as a way to attach the hitch to the truck. Now look at the GM and Ford puck system, if B&W felt they could rate those puck hitches higher don't you think they would?

Just LOOKING at the spindly Curt side by side to the GM or Ford Puck B&W anyone with an objective eye would trust the B&W to a higher weight limit.

They(Curt, Reese) rate their hitch, the whole assembly, to an SAE standard.

So thanks for letting me know that it is the B&W that is the weak link.

Why are you twisting my words?

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