B&W Patriot 5th wheel hitch questions

[Our_Place]

I'm looking into replacing my hitch this year and i'm considering the B&W Patriot series. I currently have the Reese 15K Pro and it has been trouble free but the "sliding bar" that locks it seems loose and rattily. My questions are... is the B&W a good stout hitch and it uses a 2 jaw clamp around the king pin, is that better? Will the B&W drop right in on my Reese rails, it looks like it will? Kinda looking for input from some other B&W owners or possibly some recommendations.

[silvercorvette]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

silvercorvette wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
No need to do a pull test. tweetys.com is a good place to buy.

I do a pull test every time I hook up, why do you say it is not necessary? I could be mistaken but I think the B&W instructions tell you to do the test.

In the one year I have been pulling a 5th wheel I have put on close to 3,000 miles. I can't compare it to anything else because this is the only hitch I have ever had but I am very happy with it.

You are lucky that you chose the best from the start.

I would not call it luck, I asked the people on this forum to recommend a brand and almost everyone recommended B&W. When you get the vast majority of people telling you something is the best it is a good idea to take their advice.

I am very glad I took everyones advice

[Cummins12V98]

For you that are thinking about replacing or upgrading look at how happy so many people are with their B&W hitches.

I went from a RBW that I thought was a good hitch until I bought the B&W and now I know the RBW is no where the hitch.

[Cummins12V98]

silvercorvette wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
No need to do a pull test. tweetys.com is a good place to buy.

I do a pull test every time I hook up, why do you say it is not necessary? I could be mistaken but I think the B&W instructions tell you to do the test.

In the one year I have been pulling a 5th wheel I have put on close to 3,000 miles. I can't compare it to anything else because this is the only hitch I have ever had but I am very happy with it.

You are lucky that you chose the best from the start.

The reasons to not do a pull test is that when the hitch and kingpin plate are touching, the handle is closed and LOCKED and just for fun a visual look to see the 1" jaws are closed around the kingpin there is no way you are not hitched.

Just because someone says to do something do you always do it?

B&W is like everyone else they are doing the CYA when telling you to do a pull test.

[silvercorvette]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
No need to do a pull test. tweetys.com is a good place to buy.

I do a pull test every time I hook up, why do you say it is not necessary? I could be mistaken but I think the B&W instructions tell you to do the test.

In the one year I have been pulling a 5th wheel I have put on close to 3,000 miles. I can't compare it to anything else because this is the only hitch I have ever had but I am very happy with it.

[lpxguy]

Can't say enough about the Patriot I put in...as others have stated the quality is evident throughout from the shipping package to the awesome powdercoating. Nice knowing there's American steel supporting our trailer.
I wrote them letting them know how satisfied I am and they sent me B&W hats!!!!

[Alan_M]

I own one and love it. We live on the side of a hill with the trailer parking pad coming off a turn. The compound angle is enough to have the cap rail tick the trailer frame at the right corner of the bed backing onto the pad. So the side to side angle gets a workout. You won't regret owning one.

[retispcsi]

The torque specs will be in the instructions, on the web page or call B & W. They have top notch customer service. I have a B & W 3300 what great product. Although nothing is idiot proof you would have to try hard to mess this one up.

[Cummins12V98]

06Fargo wrote:
Nice 5th wheel. It has big ol' jaws and a lock system that is positive - if the handle swings into the lock position and you can pin it, you are properly coupled.

Yes, I would also add the hitch and kingpin plates touching, the handle locked and a visual check to see if the jaws are closed around the kingpin.

No way it can fall.

Bed savers are a total waste of money with a B&W!

[fj12ryder]

The instructions for my Companion hitch call for 80 ft.lb. and that is what I used when I readjusted my hitch.

[jmconneely]

Ok thanks, I'm sure google can help but also like to ask people who have used these products. Yes it's a Patriot. Think I need to drop down one hole and back one hole. Sitting a little high in the front and I think I could have more room between tailgate and the camper.

[brirene]

jmconneely wrote:
If I have to lower(adjust) my hitch, what do I torque the bolts to?

If you're asking about the Companion and the bolts attaching the pivot arms to the base, instructions call for 80 ft lbs. U bolts also call for 80. The draw down bolt attaching base to post calls for 40 ft lbs. If you're asking about the Patriot, I can't help you there.

[noteven]

Nice 5th wheel. It has big ol' jaws and a lock system that is positive - if the handle swings into the lock position and you can pin it, you are properly coupled.

[jmconneely]

If I have to lower(adjust) my hitch, what do I torque the bolts to?

[overthehillbill]

I replaced my 10 year old Reese Select with a Patriot last year. When your hitch arrives the first thing you will notice is the perfect packaging. It will be packaged in a way that it can't be damaged in shipping. Next, the powder coating is without flaws. The assemble and install instruction are through and easy to follow. Once installed you will see that the machined jaws fit the pin perfectly.
Chucking and clucking are eliminated. Best of all it is still made in the USA by Americans using American steel.