Fifth Wheel Hitch What Kind

My observations of the Curt Hitch were a very nice plate, nice covers over the puck levers etc. What I didn't like was the jaws that does the work. The jaws closed appear to be 9/16 of an inch thick but if you look at the inside of the jaws there is an obviously hardened ridge 3/16 of an inch making contact with trailer king pin. This to me will wear a groove in the king pin over time. The B&W hitches have a full 1 Inch thick precisely machined jaws to clamp the king pin. B&W hitches are a little more expensive but if you look past pretty I think you will buy B&W. Also B&W are heavier because they are built heavier.

dieseltruckdriver wrote:

laknox wrote:


Mine is an '04 model, so they may have changed the jaw action over the years. As I said, I did try it with the handle unpinned and pulled forward, but it would NOT unlatch. I've actually done it a couple times, the first time being =very= early in my ownership. Neither time did it unlatch.

Lyle

My Companion with a turnover is over 6 years old, and it only needs to be pinned open if you have all the pressure of the hitch pin against the front of the hitch. This only happens if you are unloading while pointing downhill, such as where I park at home. Also, if you take the pin out as soon as you unhook there is no problem pinning the handle open. I have to pin my hitch open every time I unhook here at home. Your older unit might work differently, but what you described won't happen with the newer ones. My best friend just put a puck system in his new TV, and the basics are the same as mine.

Also, everyone should do a walk around after hooking up. If that is done, there is almost no way that anything can go wrong with a B&W hitch. It would be looked at several times, when checking your lights, hitch, tires, making sure the chock blocks are removed, windows closed etc. Not doing a walk around after hooking up is irresponsible.

Your post does make me wonder if and/or how they may have changed them.



Edited to add: I do not mean this as an attack or doubting your experience laknox, but just to let newer inexperienced folks know the proper way to hook up. When I reread my post, it looked like I was going after you and I am not. Sorry about that.

Having grown up on a farm, I developed the habit of shifting to N whenever unhitching =anything=, very early on. There was no pressure on my jaws before I pulled the handle to unlatch and wheels were firmly chocked. (shrug)

Lyle

laknox wrote:


Mine is an '04 model, so they may have changed the jaw action over the years. As I said, I did try it with the handle unpinned and pulled forward, but it would NOT unlatch. I've actually done it a couple times, the first time being =very= early in my ownership. Neither time did it unlatch.

Lyle

My Companion with a turnover is over 6 years old, and it only needs to be pinned open if you have all the pressure of the hitch pin against the front of the hitch. This only happens if you are unloading while pointing downhill, such as where I park at home. Also, if you take the pin out as soon as you unhook there is no problem pinning the handle open. I have to pin my hitch open every time I unhook here at home. Your older unit might work differently, but what you described won't happen with the newer ones. My best friend just put a puck system in his new TV, and the basics are the same as mine.

Also, everyone should do a walk around after hooking up. If that is done, there is almost no way that anything can go wrong with a B&W hitch. It would be looked at several times, when checking your lights, hitch, tires, making sure the chock blocks are removed, windows closed etc. Not doing a walk around after hooking up is irresponsible.

Your post does make me wonder if and/or how they may have changed them.



Edited to add: I do not mean this as an attack or doubting your experience laknox, but just to let newer inexperienced folks know the proper way to hook up. When I reread my post, it looked like I was going after you and I am not. Sorry about that.

When I was looking for a new hitch about a year ago I went with B&W because it is made in America. That's all it takes for me. Use the word China in a sentence and I get concerned!! We towed over 7000 miles this year and I really like the B&W. No chunking noise and it's easy to use. I'm only 5'7" so reaching the handle is an issue. I bought a step that hooks over the rear tire and this makes access to the hitch very easy. It folds up quickly and I put it behind the seat in the truck.

ford truck guy wrote:
Lyle,

I am NO B&W expert, but in my 2 years of using the Companion, I have never had to pin the handle open...

What sez the prez ?

Mine is an '04 model, so they may have changed the jaw action over the years. As I said, I did try it with the handle unpinned and pulled forward, but it would NOT unlatch. I've actually done it a couple times, the first time being =very= early in my ownership. Neither time did it unlatch.

Lyle

When we got the new 2022 F250 I had the puck system put in. I sold the B&W turnover ball hitch that I had, which did weigh over 200 pounds, and got a B&W 20K Companion that fits in the pucks. The head, which is the same as on the slider, weighs about 79 pounds and the base is around 79 pounds as well. Highly recommend the B&W.

handsome51 wrote:
Read ReneeG post on the first page . Where he said check into a Hensley TrailerSaver BD3 or BD5. Spend the money up front on a good air hitch and be happy every time you toe your 5th wheel. I bought my 5th wheel in 2006 and bought a 25k air safe hitch. Been happy every since. Nothing moves in the 5th wheel unless I slam on the brakes. First thing the wife said was you don't even know it is back their. Only reason I don't say get a air safe hitch is that Binkley Holland stop making the head that was used on the air safe hitches . But Hensley makes a copy of that head and so they still have it on their air hitches.

Spot on and that's why the hitch is named "TrailerSaver"!

There are lots of good hitches out there but on my last two 5th wheels, I use an Andersen Ultimate hitch and like it.

Read ReneeG post on the first page . Where he said check into a Hensley TrailerSaver BD3 or BD5. Spend the money up front on a good air hitch and be happy every time you toe your 5th wheel. I bought my 5th wheel in 2006 and bought a 25k air safe hitch. Been happy every since. Nothing moves in the 5th wheel unless I slam on the brakes. First thing the wife said was you don't even know it is back their. Only reason I don't say get a air safe hitch is that Binkley Holland stop making the head that was used on the air safe hitches . But Hensley makes a copy of that head and so they still have it on their air hitches.

ford truck guy wrote:
Lyle,

I am NO B&W expert, but in my 2 years of using the Companion, I have never had to pin the handle open...

What sez the prez ?

He's at dinner, but IIRC, he does not lock his open.

In my experience, I normally don't need to on level ground, but at times it is necessary, on that rare occasion.

Jerry