Best Hitch

[ESDA]

So I am looking at getting into a fifth wheel coming from a tow behind. On my trailer I have a Hensley and love it. I see that the also have the Trailersaver. Trying to find a good hitch that is easy to use and safe. Anyone use these? Any thoughts? Also looking it seems that a lot of people like the B&W 20K Companion. Any responses would be appreciated.

[Durb]

Learjet wrote:

Durb wrote:
It appears the award for "Best Hitch" has been given to the B&W Companion. I'm late to this thread (been camping), but I would like to nominate the Trailer Saver TS3 which I own.

- The Companion is made in USA, so is the Trailer Saver.
- The Companion uses heavy gauge steel, the TS3 is heavier, 1/4" plate with 3/4" solid steel risers.
- The Companion has thick jaws, those on the TS3 are thicker.
- The TS3 dissipates bouncing forces, the Companion doesn't.
- Due to the high hinge design, the TS3 dissipates chucking forces, the Companion doesn't.
- During panic braking, the TS3 causes the front of the trailer to push down loading the rear truck tires, a safety feature.
- The comfortable tow of the TS3 reduces driver fatigue, a safety feature.
- Shock mitigation of the TS3 protects the trailer's frame and the truck's electronics. The Companion doesn't do this.

The Companion is a good hitch, the TS3 just does so much more. In a "Best Hitch" competition, B&W would rank below Trailer Saver, Road master Comfort Ride, and Air Safe hitches. Due to the high prices, we just don't have as many fanboys.

What kind of maintenance does the TS3 need? What are the failure points...airbags? Which one is easier to remove? Which one cost less? Which one has better customer support?

Maintenance - Zerk fittings for the pivot rod similar to the need to grease the rubber donuts on the Companion.

Failure points - Don't know, never had a failure in six years.

Easier to remove - Based on this Criterium, the lightest hitch would then be the best hitch. "Best Hitch" was the question.

Cost - You get what you pay for. Pay less - get less.

Customer support - Don't know, never needed to call customer support. My guess is if you are calling customer support, you have problems.

[Learjet]

Durb wrote:
It appears the award for "Best Hitch" has been given to the B&W Companion. I'm late to this thread (been camping), but I would like to nominate the Trailer Saver TS3 which I own.

- The Companion is made in USA, so is the Trailer Saver.
- The Companion uses heavy gauge steel, the TS3 is heavier, 1/4" plate with 3/4" solid steel risers.
- The Companion has thick jaws, those on the TS3 are thicker.
- The TS3 dissipates bouncing forces, the Companion doesn't.
- Due to the high hinge design, the TS3 dissipates chucking forces, the Companion doesn't.
- During panic braking, the TS3 causes the front of the trailer to push down loading the rear truck tires, a safety feature.
- The comfortable tow of the TS3 reduces driver fatigue, a safety feature.
- Shock mitigation of the TS3 protects the trailer's frame and the truck's electronics. The Companion doesn't do this.

The Companion is a good hitch, the TS3 just does so much more. In a "Best Hitch" competition, B&W would rank below Trailer Saver, Road master Comfort Ride, and Air Safe hitches. Due to the high prices, we just don't have as many fanboys.

What kind of maintenance does the TS3 need? What are the failure points...airbags? Which one is easier to remove? Which one cost less? Which one has better customer support?

[Durb]

It appears the award for "Best Hitch" has been given to the B&W Companion. I'm late to this thread (been camping), but I would like to nominate the Trailer Saver TS3 which I own.

- The Companion is made in USA, so is the Trailer Saver.
- The Companion uses heavy gauge steel, the TS3 is heavier, 1/4" plate with 3/4" solid steel risers.
- The Companion has thick jaws, those on the TS3 are thicker.
- The TS3 dissipates bouncing forces, the Companion doesn't.
- Due to the high hinge design, the TS3 dissipates chucking forces, the Companion doesn't.
- During panic braking, the TS3 causes the front of the trailer to push down loading the rear truck tires, a safety feature.
- The comfortable tow of the TS3 reduces driver fatigue, a safety feature.
- Shock mitigation of the TS3 protects the trailer's frame and the truck's electronics. The Companion doesn't do this.

The Companion is a good hitch, the TS3 just does so much more. In a "Best Hitch" competition, B&W would rank below Trailer Saver, Road master Comfort Ride, and Air Safe hitches. Due to the high prices, we just don't have as many fanboys.

[TXiceman]

RCMAN46 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Of course they ALL recommend a pull test. A pull test is no divergent than a visual test, it's a test!

My wife double checks me every time as she fully understands how the hitch works. Kinda like "did you put the butt plug in the boat" as she asks me every time before a launch.

I really don't care if people do a pull test or not. I think people should do what they feel comfortable with. Lot's of damage can be done not doing a pull test correctly.

Expand on the damage that can be done if a pull test is not done correctly.

If the front jacks are not raised enough, they can drag and bend. If they are raised too much and the hitch does not hold, the drop can damage the jacks as possibly the bed.

I clear my jacks about 1/2 to 1 inch from the ground.

Ken

[RCMAN46]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Of course they ALL recommend a pull test. A pull test is no divergent than a visual test, it's a test!

My wife double checks me every time as she fully understands how the hitch works. Kinda like "did you put the butt plug in the boat" as she asks me every time before a launch.

I really don't care if people do a pull test or not. I think people should do what they feel comfortable with. Lot's of damage can be done not doing a pull test correctly.

Expand on the damage that can be done if a pull test is not done correctly.

[TravelinDog]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Of course they ALL recommend a pull test. A pull test is no divergent than a visual test, it's a test!

My wife double checks me every time as she fully understands how the hitch works. Kinda like "did you put the butt plug in the boat" as she asks me every time before a launch.

I really don't care if people do a pull test or not. I think people should do what they feel comfortable with. Lot's of damage can be done not doing a pull test correctly.

I have a traditional style 5th wheel hitch and do a "tug test" every time I hook it up. As far as dropping the trailer on the bed if I did not lock the hitch properly, I only lift the leveling jacks about 1/2 inch off the ground so it wouldn't be able to fall onto my truck bed.

[Cummins12V98]

FishOnOne wrote:
I would give the nod to the B&W.

WOO HOO we agree!!!

[Cummins12V98]

"but to say it's not necessary is misleading , and just needs to left out of the thread ."

Don't think anyone said "not necessary"

[FishOnOne]

I would give the nod to the B&W.

[stickdog]

Right near 100,000 miles on my B&W hitch. It did need a good cleaning of grease road grit but operates as good as new after that. Now on our 13 year fulltime.

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Of course they ALL recommend a pull test. A pull test is no divergent than a visual test, it's a test!

My wife double checks me every time as she fully understands how the hitch works. Kinda like "did you put the butt plug in the boat" as she asks me every time before a launch.

I really don't care if people do a pull test or not. I think people should do what they feel comfortable with. Lot's of damage can be done not doing a pull test correctly.

On the same note ,no pull test as we ALL know can do a lot of damage . I agree do what you feel comfortable , but to say it's not necessary is misleading , and just needs to left out of the thread .

[Cummins12V98]

Of course they ALL recommend a pull test. A pull test is no divergent than a visual test, it's a test!

My wife double checks me every time as she fully understands how the hitch works. Kinda like "did you put the butt plug in the boat" as she asks me every time before a launch.

I really don't care if people do a pull test or not. I think people should do what they feel comfortable with. Lot's of damage can be done not doing a pull test correctly.

[cummins2014]

JIMNLIN wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:

op asks wrote:
best hitch ?

This is why its not a good idea to ask which hitch or any product is best on this forum.
Some B&W owners like to bash the brand another has mentioned even though the B&W owner never owned the hitch.
I'm not a Andersen user but thousands of satisfied users out here with no problems.

As another poster mentioned we have several good RV type 5th wheel hitches to choose from. B&W is just one of them.

There is no best 5th wheel hitch brand/type/style other than the one we own.

Would you use an Andersen to haul a HEAVY RV???

I'm not a hitch brand fan or hitch brand basher but as long as the heavy rv didn't exceed any hitch brands we have recommended weight specs would be fine with me.

However if the RV trailer was over 16k-18k gross I would choose a air ride hitch. Some thing the OP may want to look into if he's going to a heavy rv trailer.

I agree , and the air ride hitch may be needed for the weight you mentioned for the sake of the ride . For me if that hitch meets the weight , then I would buy it . What I wouldn't do say is tow 18K with an 18K hitch , I would prefer a 20K hitch. I went to a 15,500 GVWR fifth wheel, had a 16K hitch. didn't feel comfortable with it . Bought a new 18K .

I tow with an Andersen 20K rating ,would have no problem with 18K.

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Look at the B&W it simply can't drop the 5er if the pin box and hitch are touching each other and the jaws are closed and the handle is locked. With the thick jaws it makes it easy to see of you are high hitched unlike others with thin jaws.

No need for a pull test as if you do what I just mentioned that is a visual test and good enough IMHO.

I think that is the disservice that leads to these dropped fifth wheels , it takes once ,and IMO you are not excempt to this either.

I towed several years with the Reese hitch, the one they call the Elite now. One piece 1" thick one piece wrap around jaw ,as foolproof as you say the B&W is . And yes for a long time I did a pull test ,but there were times when I got complacent , and skipped the pull test, I just knew everything was done right ,visual was done , and then there is that one time when you just think everything is right , and boom you got a fifth wheel sitting on the bed of your truck .

As you know I tow with the Andersen ,you have criticized the ability to lock the Andersen ,but in reality I can just as well forget to even lock the handle . My point as you point out there are steps to follow with the B&W to insure not dropping a fifth wheel , yup all you got to do is those steps , just DON"T forget one . IMO skipping a pull test is a recipe for disaster . I may be mistaken , but doesn't B&W recommend a pull test ?

[Cummins12V98]

Look at the B&W it simply can't drop the 5er if the pin box and hitch are touching each other and the jaws are closed and the handle is locked. With the thick jaws it makes it easy to see of you are high hitched unlike others with thin jaws.

No need for a pull test as if you do what I just mentioned that is a visual test and good enough IMHO.