How to safely operate a B & W Patriot 16k 5th wheel hitch

[dpgllg]

I will be having a B & W Patriot 16k hitch installed later this week. I am replacing a R & W Lil Rocker 15k hitch. The Little Rocker uses a slide bar to secure the pin. I also have a Bed Saver installed.

This is NOT a sliding hitch as I have an 8 foot bed.

I have watched a few videos on the Patriot but really want to feel comfortable prior to an upcoming trip.

Is it really as easy as pulling the pin on the handle and pushing the handle open?

My Lil Rocker would often bind. Can I really just open the handle and pull forward even if the jaws did not open? (etrailer video states this)

Should I order the Bed saver as well? I never used it in almost 15 years of pulling a 5th wheel and they cost $349 for the Patriot hitch. Will I be okay closing jaws and handle insert pin and then do a pull test?

Are there any things that I need to be aware of with this hitch? hitching, unhitching, unlevel ground, and maintenance?

Any issues with high hitching?

Any other helpful thoughts or comments are appreciated!

Dave

[fj12ryder]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
Mine will sometimes be a bit touchy disconnecting if I have too much weight on the head, and the trailer is pushing forward a little. Mine unhooks best if the trailer is pulling back on the hitch a tad, so when it unlatches the truck moves forward a touch, or the trailer moves backward. It's rare, but it does happen. Mostly just pull the handle and done.

Maybe that's it! I can't remember since it has not happened for a while.

For sure, it's a pretty rare occurrence.

[Cummins12V98]

fj12ryder wrote:
Mine will sometimes be a bit touchy disconnecting if I have too much weight on the head, and the trailer is pushing forward a little. Mine unhooks best if the trailer is pulling back on the hitch a tad, so when it unlatches the truck moves forward a touch, or the trailer moves backward. It's rare, but it does happen. Mostly just pull the handle and done.

Maybe that's it! I can't remember since it has not happened for a while.

[fj12ryder]

Mine will sometimes be a bit touchy disconnecting if I have too much weight on the head, and the trailer is pushing forward a little. Mine unhooks best if the trailer is pulling back on the hitch a tad, so when it unlatches the truck moves forward a touch, or the trailer moves backward. It's rare, but it does happen. Mostly just pull the handle and done.

[Cummins12V98]

You most likely had forward tension. I have had it happen, I simply put truck in reverse then put foot on brake and apply parking brake then place in park. Get out and open handle, release P brake and drive out.

[Imbriaco]

I love this hitch! As easy as everyone claims. Only once (recently too) did it seem to bind when disconnecting. Only issue I can think of was that the trailer wasn't perfectly level R to L? I was in a parking lot so couldn't be that far off. And doesn't seem like that could be an issue. But I couldn't pull out of the jaws after doing all the normal disconnect process. Thought trailer wasn't elevated enough and when I raised it more, it popped and came loose. Weird

[Mote]

We have the B&W companion. I love everything about but having to remove and installing. It's darn heavy. But that comes with the design. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[MFL]

fj12ryder wrote:

MFL wrote:
I think lock in handle, to to deter Jackholes is a good idea. ...

Jerry

I hear this periodically, but I've never talked to anyone who has had it happen to them. Has anyone actually talked to someone that had it done to them? I mean directly, not my cousin's brother's nephew's son-in-law's barber heard about it. Just curious.

Nope...don't know of anyone, but a lock there, just gives me a better feeling, especially at rest stops, or a quick run into convenience store.

Jerry

[fj12ryder]

MFL wrote:
I think lock in handle, to to deter Jackholes is a good idea. ...

Jerry

I hear this periodically, but I've never talked to anyone who has had it happen to them. Has anyone actually talked to someone that had it done to them? I mean directly, not my cousin's brother's nephew's son-in-law's barber heard about it. Just curious.

[MFL]

I think lock in handle, to to deter Jackholes is a good idea. Other locks...well if they just steal my whole hitch, on a very rare occasion, I'll just buy another.:) I think where you park, makes a difference too.

Jerry

[Cummins12V98]

fj12ryder wrote:
"No but I have not had my handle opened or hitch stolen!"

Me either and with nary a lock in sight :), and they seem to be a very rare, nonexistent(?), events. Never heard of a B&W hitch being stolen or the handle being pulled.

If they're looking to steal a heavy, awkward, low profit item like that, they'll come prepared, and those itty bitty padlocks won't even slow them down.

Your choice, my choice.

[fj12ryder]

"No but I have not had my handle opened or hitch stolen!"

Me either and with nary a lock in sight :), and they seem to be a very rare, nonexistent(?), events. Never heard of a B&W hitch being stolen or the handle being pulled.

If they're looking to steal a heavy, awkward, low profit item like that, they'll come prepared, and those itty bitty padlocks won't even slow them down.

[Cummins12V98]

bucky wrote:
12V98 did you have an incident somewhere that triggered you buying every lock Ace Hardware had in stock to put on that hitch? :B

No but I have not had my handle opened or hitch stolen!

Years ago when I first started on this Forum I would tell how and why I did NOT do a "pull test" and how I did a "visual test" instead.

OMG, the sky was falling!!! "you shouldn't be telling people that they may drop their RV" and the list of nay sayers went on for ever.

Nice to see so many here now use the brain GOD has given them to understand a "VISUAL" test is all that's needed with a B&W.

Please consult your owners manual!

[Cummins12V98]

BAD IDEA, "I then attach the breakaway cable into the lock."

[guidry]

The only thing I'd add to what the others have said is that you don't have to be completely level; the hitch pivots a little to accommodate for uneven ground.