Fifth Wheel Hitch Decision

[tarheel2]

I have a new 2016 Chev CC Long Bed Duramax DRW 4WD. I am having trouble deciding which hitch to purchase. I am thinking of purchasing a DRV Mobile Suite 38RSSA with washer & dryer and generator. It has an allowable gross weight of 19,000lbs & maybe 5,000 lbs of pin weight. I was leaning towards the B&W Companion until I read about failures on another forum. It is rated for 20,000 gross weight and 5,000 pin weight. Even the trail saver TS3 is rated for 5,000 pin weight and pricey. I need a hitch that will give a good ride, preferably 25,000 lb. gross weight. Any suggestions?

[otrfun]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
. . . they said "we test to the weakest component". Anyone with eyes can see the 20K B&W puck hitch for the Ford and GM's is built at least as strong and no doubt stronger than anything REESE or CURT has to offer that "rates" higher.

B&W is VERY Conservative in their ratings. That is why if I were the poster above I would have bought the B&W for his Ford and towed his DRV even if it weighed 21K.

Agree, every B&W product I've seen appears to be strong, well-built. If B&W made a hitch that adjusted lower than 16" I'd probably have one in my truck right now.

However, on the flipside, heft/weight, nice finish, great welds, and supposedly conservative ratings, by themselves, don't necessarily prove any specific realworld capability. To really prove anything, independent, stress testing would be helpful.

Would be nice if there was comparative test results available for B&W, Curt, Reese, and other hitches. Not just an "ease of use" or "gives the appearance of longevity and strength" test, but a no-holds barred, stress to the point of failure test---using some kind of (hydraulic??) test jig to simulate use with each of the Big 3 trucks (with static and dynamic loading).

[Cummins12V98]

azjeffh wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
...Anyone with eyes....

All I can say to that is...never mind

I never do!

[azjeffh]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
...Anyone with eyes....

All I can say to that is...never mind

[Cummins12V98]

azjeffh wrote:

RustyJC wrote:
The B&W Companion for the Ram is rated for 25K with over 6K pin weight. The only difference is the base since the Ram's factory pucks utilize a larger footprint, especially fore to aft, than the Ford or GM factory pucks.

However other hitch manufacturers have figured out how to get more than 20K out of their hitches for the Ford. Think B&W would have figured out how to do it as well.

When I asked my initial question to B&W, I also inquired about the possibility of a higher rated hitch in the future. Basically was told they have no plans to do so.

Just have to wonder why.

Their hitch has nothing to do with it. I asked them and they said "we test to the weakest component". Anyone with eyes can see the 20K B&W puck hitch for the Ford and GM's is built at least as strong and no doubt stronger than anything REESE or CURT has to offer that "rates" higher.

B&W is VERY Conservative in their ratings. That is why if I were the poster above I would have bought the B&W for his Ford and towed his DRV even if it weighed 21K.

[steadfastrock]

I was a "fan boy" of B&W before the failures. I am the one that the OP is referring to. Here is the original thread:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f44/b-and-w-failure-287912.html

Those of you that have had good results from B&W with a load at near max, good for you. That was not my experience. It has always been my intention to simply share my experience to let others make an educated decision.

[tarheel2]

The truth hurts sometimes, pictures and facts don't lie. Appears the B& W fans are the ones that need a pill or thick skin. It just proves everything doesn't always work in all applications. Get over it.

[chrizg]

The B&W companion weight ratings are based on the base of the companion and not the head. So it is designed around the pucks that come from the factory so unless those change on Ford/Chevy and provide a larger base I don't see the weight limit going up on Ford/chevy.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

When I asked my initial question to B&W, I also inquired about the possibility of a higher rated hitch in the future. Basically was told they have no plans to do so.

Just have to wonder why.

B&W is like that. They will fight the idea of adding new product for a long long time, despite customer demand for it, but will eventually succumb and end up making a great product to fill that market need.

They did the same thing with the slider hitch. They fought the idea for several years, refused to come out with a sliding fifth wheel hitch for short bed trucks, but finally ended up coming out with a very good sliding fifth wheel hitch.

So far, they have fought the idea of coming out with an air ride fifth wheel hitch. My guess is, eventually, they will have an air ride hitch in their product line.

Likely the same with a 25k rated hitch to fit all 3 trucks brands' of fifth wheel prep packages, they'll make one, eventually.

They're just a very conservatively run company and very slow to grow their product line.

[marspec]

I have an Air Safe 25K with the Binkley head rated for 5.5K pin weight. Works fine for me

[ArmyColonel]

Andersen's Ultimate Fifth Wheel Hitch will handle it and more.

[bpounds]

shadows4 wrote:

Yep you have to have some thick skin to bad mouth the B&W hitch on here. As you saw the B&W fan boys don't care for that. The Reese Elite looks like it would be a good fit for you. Good luck, John

Well said.

[Rich1961]

tarheel2,

Check with your GM Dealer, they may be able to add the factory puck system to your truck. I ordered mine with it and it looks to be all bolt on. If you do there are other hitches out there rated for more than the B&W. Curt supplies the factory 5th wheel hitch for GM if you purchase from the dealer, and it is rated over 25k. If you haven't seen the factory prep yet, here is a couple pictures.







Rich

[shadows4]

tarheel2 wrote:
The truck is in fact a 3500. And I came to this forum for some friendly experienced advise not slurred comments. The gentleman had a 2015 Chev 3500 I believe, and he had the B&W RVK3500. The frame was obviously bent as was shown in his pictures. B&W sent him another hitch, which also bent the same way. So he went to another brand. Now that part is a fact. Was it caused by a crown, I don't know. I checked my truck from fender to fender with a 2' level. Maybe 1/16 high in the center. I don't know how much rise he had? I can't image any brand of truck being less than 1/16" high in the center. For that matter I would imagine a sprayed in bed could be worse. As far as the B&W puck mount hitch, I would love it. My truck did not come with the puck system from the factory. I bought it new off the lot without it. I wonder if the puck system could be added? And I didn't come to this forum to bash the B&W hitch or anything or anyone else. I was only seeking advise from experienced knowledgeable people. Thanks to those that care.

Yep you have to have some thick skin to bad mouth the B&W hitch on here. As you saw the B&W fan boys don't care for that. The Reese Elite looks like it would be a good fit for you. Good luck, John

[azjeffh]

tarheel2 wrote:
Reese Elite looks good. Rated for 25,000 lbs.and pin rate 6250 lbs. Wonder how it rides? And it has the puck kit.

Have no issue with my Elite and it's rated for 26.5K.

Only have used it for 5 months but am very happy with it.

[tarheel2]

Reese Elite looks good. Rated for 25,000 lbs.and pin rate 6250 lbs. Wonder how it rides? And it has the puck kit.