How are you locking your fifth wheel puck hitch to the bed?

[NHIrish]

I have a new Curt Q 25 hitch to fit my Ford puck system. I want to replace the wire coupler retainers with locks.

I'm sure others have done this and wondering which locking device you chose.

By the way, the hitch I replaced was a B and W, and I have to say that the Curt Q is one very nice replacement. Well designed and well made. And the puck system is the way to go...so much easier!

[Cummins12V98]

Rangerman40 wrote:
I don't lock mine...... it weighs 278lbs.

How many separate pcs to make that 278#?

[Rangerman40]

I don't lock mine...... it weighs 278lbs.

[Cummins12V98]

Gib3633 wrote:
I agree that Ram has the largest footprint and congratulate them for recognizing that. With the old cross rail system the truck box had a cross member support in the way of installing the hitch that would allow the king pin to be 2 inches ahead of the center of the rear axle. I haven't looked but I would think that would be the reason for the large spread. Ford has the smallest footprint but I see nothing wrong with it.
The gentleman I spoke with at B&W stated he wouldn't be concerned about pulling 20,000 lbs. on their 20,000 lb. hitch nor I but I already have a 20,000 hitch. I would think the reason B&W hasn't built the heavier hitch for GM yet is because they were a couple of years or so behind RAM & FORD to offer the puck system. Also possibly because GM rated their truck lower and their reason they stated was the biggest part of their customer base was hauling horse trailers and RVs around the 20,000 lb. mark.
This is way off OP's question so to that I don't lock mine in . I have a tonneau cover to hide it when not towing

B&W specifically said they rate their hitch to the lowest component. What does that tell you? By the way B&W is VERY conservative in their ratings with a huge factor built in.

Remember Craftsman rates their Shop Vac to "develop" 6 hp.

[Gib3633]

Correction: I meant to say with the rail system Ram had a box cross rail in the way of allowing the rails to be mounted that the king pin would be 2 inches ahead of the center of the rear axle.

[Gib3633]

I agree that Ram has the largest footprint and congratulate them for recognizing that. With the old cross rail system the truck box had a cross member support in the way of installing the hitch that would allow the king pin to be 2 inches ahead of the center of the rear axle. I haven't looked but I would think that would be the reason for the large spread. Ford has the smallest footprint but I see nothing wrong with it.
The gentleman I spoke with at B&W stated he wouldn't be concerned about pulling 20,000 lbs. on their 20,000 lb. hitch nor I but I already have a 20,000 hitch. I would think the reason B&W hasn't built the heavier hitch for GM yet is because they were a couple of years or so behind RAM & FORD to offer the puck system. Also possibly because GM rated their truck lower and their reason they stated was the biggest part of their customer base was hauling horse trailers and RVs around the 20,000 lb. mark.
This is way off OP's question so to that I don't lock mine in . I have a tonneau cover to hide it when not towing

[tinner12002]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
This is how I lock my US Made B&W 25K puck hitch to my bed. Opposing corners on the base, two on the head to base and one securing the latching handle.



I suppose a small padlock would fit where the pin is.

The pics also show the wider base/bigger footprint Ram uses for its puck setup enabling the better design of the B&W. Ford has the smaller footprint, not sure about the GM haven't seen one of those, maybe making it a little harder to make a high rated hitch in the smaller package.

[sayoung]

As lazy as thieves are they aren't taking no hitch as heavy as those. The whole truck is just too easy.

[Cummins12V98]

"When I compare the Q25 to the B&W the Q25 is more robust in head area"

Completely disagree. 1" machined jaws, solid simple latching system on the B&W. Curt head's pivot point is several inches below the kingpin allowing for fore and aft movement causing chucking for some, B&W's pivot point same elevation as king pin. Curt's jaws are at least 1/2 as thick. Curt has a flimsy locking latching system and is not always easy to unhitch as reported by my self and many Curt owners. Only two bolts holding the head to base with Curt, there are 4 bolts each side with the B&W.

Also to be honest the base on the Curt is VERY flimsy looking in comparison.

But if $ are more important buy the Curt. Etrailer Q24 $755 and B&W RVK3600 $1.205. So there "should" be a considerable difference in quality.

Buy what you want but compare side by side first.

[Cummins12V98]

Gib3633 wrote:
Cummins
The difference is B&W do not make at this time a 24,000 lb. puck system hitch for GM. I thought you would know that since you are a RAM man.
The other difference is I have a 20,000 Reece and if I can't get what I would like I can wait. How do I know this?? because I called the factory and talked to the gentleman who answered the phone. The other comment about the contact surface to the king pin was my own observation. Maybe you should have a look.
If you would reread my comment you would see that I also preferred a B&W and explained why. I WANTED THE SAME HITCH YOU HAVE AND THEY DO NOT MAKE IT FOR GM.

I did read what you said! I do understand what B&W rates their hitches at.

I said the hitches are basically the same and I said they "rate to the weakest link". I also said I would take the 20K B&W any day over any other hitch made for the Ford or GM.

I have pointed out the small jaws on the Curt for years. Also it's MADE In Chins, that comment got lots of denials for a long time but I think the fact has finally settled in. Other Curt towing items are US Made and of high quality.

[Cummins12V98]

ford truck guy wrote:
^^ Thanks Cummins, I was waiting for your input ! I know how much you like the B&W for good reason ! ! ! I figured it was only a matter of time till we saw how it was done right !

HA, well it works for me as a registered lock a holic!!!

[RCMAN46]

Gib3633 wrote:
Cummins
The difference is B&W do not make at this time a 24,000 lb. puck system hitch for GM. I thought you would know that since you are a RAM man.
The other difference is I have a 20,000 Reece and if I can't get what I would like I can wait. How do I know this?? because I called the factory and talked to the gentleman who answered the phone. The other comment about the contact surface to the king pin was my own observation. Maybe you should have a look.
If you would reread my comment you would see that I also preferred a B&W and explained why. I WANTED THE SAME HITCH YOU HAVE AND THEY DO NOT MAKE IT FOR GM.

When I compare the Q25 to the B&W the Q25 is more robust in head area

Q25 head

[Gib3633]

Cummins
The difference is B&W do not make at this time a 24,000 lb. puck system hitch for GM. I thought you would know that since you are a RAM man.
The other difference is I have a 20,000 Reece and if I can't get what I would like I can wait. How do I know this?? because I called the factory and talked to the gentleman who answered the phone. The other comment about the contact surface to the king pin was my own observation. Maybe you should have a look.
If you would reread my comment you would see that I also preferred a B&W and explained why. I WANTED THE SAME HITCH YOU HAVE AND THEY DO NOT MAKE IT FOR GM.

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Gib3633 wrote:
I looked hard at those hitches and Curt was the only one making a 24,000 or 25,000 hitch for GM at this time. What I didn't like about the Curt hitch was the contact area pulling directly on the king pin was only about 3/16 of an inch of course backed up by about 5/8 inch. The B&W 20,000 lb. had a full 1 inch of contact to the pin. So I stayed with my 20,000 lb. Reese and bought Pullrite adaptors to utilize the puck system. I'm quite sure that down the road B&W will get with the program. I also have a tonno cover when not towing.

Call B&W and talk to them. They rate their hitches to the weakest link. Look at the Ford/GM system compare to the RAM's. Now tell me what is so different?

I would tow my 23K RV with the B&W Puck system with the Ford and GM any day before I would use the Curt. Yea, Yea I am a "FanBoy" but just look at these hitches side by side and then be real honest about what one you would trust.

So the thousands of Curt hitches out there are not to be trusted :h Now does that include the Reese , Hijacker , etc etc.

I see nothing wrong with recommending a hitch, but to degrade one to promote what you have is just wrong.

It would be great if you could supply some info on what is not to be trusted on the Curt, and some documentation to back that up. Say like falling apart going down the road, or letting the fifth wheel loose when traveling, something catastrophic . I know about the two ,four or six bolt thing you have quoted, but please expand on the actual reality of any kind of failure.

[ford_truck_guy]

^^ Thanks Cummins, I was waiting for your input ! I know how much you like the B&W for good reason ! ! ! I figured it was only a matter of time till we saw how it was done right !