"Why does he wish to have the B & W over the Curt?"
Because it has to be "just right" to get it to latch properly. I hitched it twice and he is right.
"You call those 4 bolts "questionable", so you don't know the grade, therefore how does that make a "HUGE" difference? Can't bolts be replaced fairly inexpensively? "
There is a definite marking on the head of a bolt that has a "8 grade". See pic below. CURT's don't look like that.
"How does one know that B & W didn't procure their bolts from the same factory in China that Curt did, just paid more for the head stamp?"
Because they have a 100 percent Made In USA product, call and ask them.
"I have a hard time seeing which one is stronger. They are both engineered the same, but someone is supposed to make the decision based upon visual appearance?"
You don't think 8 blots are stronger than two? You don't think the BV&W base is a MUCH stronger design?
"The crush test is valid. Anyone with an understanding of how physics are applied to such equipment with angular supports knows the legitimacy of such a test. In fact, the crush test exerts more pressure on the supports than any 5er on the market."
The Crush test they tout did not show the weakness from hard braking.
"The entire internet world is aware of one Andersen UH hitch that failed with bent tubes. A more limited viewing audience (this forum) is now aware of one B & W Companion that failed. Score is tied. Move along."
I can guarantee you no one re designs a product from one issue. The world is larger than RV.NET.
"US made vs. China made? Please clarify which is which. The Andersen is US Made."
As said Kansas, USA. The people that did not lay off their employees when the big downturn in the rV industry hit. The owner paid his employees to do community projects.
Because it has to be "just right" to get it to latch properly. I hitched it twice and he is right.
"You call those 4 bolts "questionable", so you don't know the grade, therefore how does that make a "HUGE" difference? Can't bolts be replaced fairly inexpensively? "
There is a definite marking on the head of a bolt that has a "8 grade". See pic below. CURT's don't look like that.
"How does one know that B & W didn't procure their bolts from the same factory in China that Curt did, just paid more for the head stamp?"
Because they have a 100 percent Made In USA product, call and ask them.
"I have a hard time seeing which one is stronger. They are both engineered the same, but someone is supposed to make the decision based upon visual appearance?"
You don't think 8 blots are stronger than two? You don't think the BV&W base is a MUCH stronger design?
"The crush test is valid. Anyone with an understanding of how physics are applied to such equipment with angular supports knows the legitimacy of such a test. In fact, the crush test exerts more pressure on the supports than any 5er on the market."
The Crush test they tout did not show the weakness from hard braking.
"The entire internet world is aware of one Andersen UH hitch that failed with bent tubes. A more limited viewing audience (this forum) is now aware of one B & W Companion that failed. Score is tied. Move along."
I can guarantee you no one re designs a product from one issue. The world is larger than RV.NET.
"US made vs. China made? Please clarify which is which. The Andersen is US Made."
As said Kansas, USA. The people that did not lay off their employees when the big downturn in the rV industry hit. The owner paid his employees to do community projects.
otrfun wrote:Cummins12V98 wrote: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.
. . . 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.
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).
Inlaws RAM/CURT hitch in his LongHorn dually. He wishes he had the B&W but his came with the truck.
4 bolts of questionable grade holding the head to the base with the Curt and B&W has 8 grade 8. That right there is a HUGE difference.
Both hitches rated to 6,250# pin and 25K towing.
Not too hard to see what system is stronger.
Test? You mean like Andersen's "crush test video" ? That really proved a lot.....same hitch under hard braking alone caused the tubes to bend.
Also US Made VS China Made.
