Fifth Wheel Hitch What Kind

[mike24]

A friend of mind has a B & W hitch, so I asked him what are the cons, and the first thing he said which I saw on video when you release the handle it is hard to reach without a step, the other thing is, always removing the head to grease the plastic bushings that the head sits on because the grease squeezes out, also E-trailer saying the hitch weighs 220 LBS. I have a Ram 8FT bed puck system, I am wondering how people feel about the Curt A series and the Q series hitch, what's the difference and which is better, I have a Moryde pin box and the hitch can have a max. rating at 20,000 LBS. It is good to read opinions from the end user. Thanks for your help.

[TXiceman]

Just about any 5th wheel set up is hard to reach the handles from the side of the truck. Most people either use a stool or one of the over the wheel step aids.
HitchMate

Another EXPENSIVE way to solve the problem is to have a towing bed installed.
Hauler bed.

I am not a fan of the Andersen hitch or the Goose Box.

Ken

[laknox]

mike24 wrote:
A friend of mind has a B & W hitch, so I asked him what are the cons, and the first thing he said which I saw on video when you release the handle it is hard to reach without a step, the other thing is, always removing the head to grease the plastic bushings that the head sits on because the grease squeezes out, also E-trailer saying the hitch weighs 220 LBS. I have a Ram 8FT bed puck system, I am wondering how people feel about the Curt A series and the Q series hitch, what's the difference and which is better, I have a Moryde pin box and the hitch can have a max. rating at 20,000 LBS. It is good to read opinions from the end user. Thanks for your help.

Every FW hitch that I've seen in the past 17 years of RVing pretty much requires that you either have a step stool or you get into the bed (unless you're Shaq) so, for me, that's a non-issue.

As for greasing, it doesn't take much. I've contemplated since 2004, when I got my Companion, simply drilling and tapping the head where it rests on the side pieces, and installing a 90 zerk fitting. It really only takes a couple pumps to get enough grease on them. For now, I can still lift the head off, so greasing isn't an issue.

I also have great respect for B&W as a company. Never had an issue and they still, after all these years, send me u-bolts free of charge, whenever one twists off when the nylock nut binds up. IMO, that's the only real weakness of my 2004-vintage Companion.

Lyle

[spoon059]

I'm still a couple years out from a 5th wheel, but I'm leaning towards the Goose Box hitch.

[ford_truck_guy]

Another B&W Fan Club Member here......

I was a bit skeptical at first because of the stellar treatment I received while owning my Pullrite Superglide. 2 years in and I am impressed :C

[ACZL]

Personally,
I too am a member of the B&W club and have to use a tire step to reach the hitch only cuz the truck is too dang tall and I'm too dang short! No chucking at all and just add a layer of white lithium grease on rubber bushing 1-2x/yr and that's it (besides greasing the zerk). Yes base is heavy and head is a little lighter, but it's made in the USA, multitude of adjustments. 18k Patriot.

[Hammerboy]

cummins2014 wrote:

ACZL wrote:
This ought to be fun

I agree, the B&W fan club should be along soon.

To the OP ,look into Andersen hitch .

There is a reason there is such a huge fan base, dang good hitch.

Dan

[way2roll]

I wanted a B&W when we bought our FW due to the positive feedback I read and heard personally. There wasn't one available at the time we bought and I didn't want to wait so we went with an Curt A. I have to say I am very happy with it. It's not terribly heavy and the head easily comes off so you can remove it in 2 pieces which is easily manageable by yourself. It's easy to lube the jaws and no other lube is necessary with a plate. I think any hitch release lever, regardless of brand is going to have a reach challenge. More to do with the height of the truck than the latch. Don't stand on the tire to release! The truck might rock an inch and cause you to fall off - ask me how I know. I still have to hop in the bed to hook/unhook the breakaway cable but again, more to do with where the cable is and the height of the truck than the hitch. the Curt latches and unlatches cleanly and easily and a few times I wasn't completely square or level. The only negative thus far is that it's a little noisy. Small amount of play where the legs connect to the rails allows it to rattle and clunk on road separations. Maybe this wouldn't be an issue with a puck system, but I just insert some polymer shims and that solved the issue. I'm a little OCD about noises, it doesn't affect functionality at all. After a year of regular use I am very happy with it.

I don't know anything about the Q model.

on edit I did find this on Etrailer:
The A series of Curt 5th wheel trailer hitches, such as # C16120, is the newest version and is replacing the Q series. The A series jaws overlap whereas the Q series butt up against each other more than overlap. And the bearing and shaft that the head pivots on is different between the 2. They do look very similar, in fact the specs and design are identical like you said, but you can think of the A series as the new and improved version of the Q series.

[MFL]

Good one! I agree, especially if chucking is a concern. :E

[ReneeG]

:B

He didn't mention spending limit so I say check into a Hensley TrailerSaver BD3 or BD5.

[MFL]

Yes, if you are short (less than 6'3"s) you will need reach enhancement. That B&W for Ram pucks has a heavy base for sure. The grease on the bushings, only needs to be a light layer. If oozing out, you're using too much, maybe wrong grease?

No experience with the Curt, but it would likely be lighter.

Jerry (B&W fan club member)

[cummins2014]

I agree, the B&W fan club should be along soon.

To the OP ,look into Andersen hitch .

[ACZL]

This ought to be fun