Sidewinder vs Goosebox vs BD3+1621

[n0arp]

We recently brought home a long bed DRW, and moved our Curt A16 into it, keeping the Sidewinder Airborne pinbox that we have on our fifth wheel.

Since we now have a long bed truck, I'm reconsidering our options. I see a few pros/cons with each of the options I'm considering and I'll list them below - but would like some outside opinions on the matter before I decide to make a purchase.

I've previously owned Pullrite Superglide, TrailerSaver BD3, and B&W Patriot hitches. The B&W is still sitting in the garage - despite the huge following it has, I'm not a fan of the latching mechanism on it and don't think the ride that impressive. The Curt rides just as well and I prefer the way it hooks up and disconnects, and the custom wedge for the Sidewinder fits tighter without causing issues (I also have the custom wedge for the Patriot). The BD3 may have soured my impression of any fixed hitch, and I'm considering another BD3 or TS3 as well.


Curt A16 + Reese Sidewinder Airborne
Pros:

• Already own it, no purchase necessary
  
• Tighter turns and closer tracking during turns
  
• Since the pinbox doesn't move, you can pack stuff around the hitch when towing

Cons:

• Noisy
  
• Loses air quickly, at least compared to the BD3...
  
• High maintenance - have to check torque every outing, lube often, drop and clean/inspect "seasonally"

Goosebox
Pros:

• Clean bed
  
• Ride may be an improvement over the Sidewinder
  
• Quiet
  
• Low maintenance
  
• Doesn't require an external kingpin lock (padlock tabs, I believe, on the second gen)

Cons:

• Requires ~$1200 purchase
  
• Less maneuverable than Sidewinder
  
• Might require frequent air fills and greasing
  
• Requires quite a bit of space around the pinbox for movement in the bed of the truck - is it possible to store, say, firewood behind the connection when towing?

Other: I don't think hookup will be an issue because of the cargo cam on my Ram.

Trailer Saver BD3 or TS3 + Lippert 1621
Pros:

• Probably the best riding hitch on the market
  
• Low maintenance
  
• Really like the latching and jaw mechanism
  

Cons:

• Requires ~$3K (new) or $1K (used) purchase
  
• Heavy and takes up room in the bed
  
• Less maneuverable than Sidewinder

If I end up changing hitches, I'll list the the other hitch stuff for sale and make some or all of my money back on the new setup.

I'm sort of leaning towards the 2nd gen Goosebox, #94716.

[robroy90]

I could not disagree more that the Goosebox is somehow inherently less safe than a conventional 5th wheel hitch. If that were true, there would be issues left and right with not only campers, but horse trailers as well. The statement that it is a glorified adapter is ridiculous. If you want to talk about unsafe, then no discussion on that is complete without mentioning the abomination that is an Andersen hitch... THOSE are unsafe.

[gdweb]

Another con for "goose box". Texas, along with most states, requires Safety Chains on ball hitches.

[TXiceman]

Chiefneon, I am a retired engineer and you cannot change the laws of physics and basic mechanics. Sorry, but I would not have a Goosebox if it was given to me.

Ken

[n0arp]

Any reason you went with the 4" offset ball? I ordered everything today - including a zero offset ball.

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

When I purchased our new Chevrolet 3500 DRW a few months back I did a lot of research on the Reese Goose Box. I don’t consider it a “glorified gooseneck adapter”. The Reece Goose Box has airbag, dual shocks and rubber bumpers provide multi-directional shock absorption I purchased the 20,000 lb Goose Box and I’m very happy with it. As for its construction it is very heavy and well built. Much more so than and pin box that came with the RV. Towing with it is smooth and a comfortable ride. I have a rear camera mouthed on the back of my cab so connecting is not a problem. The only extra things needed is to connect the safety chains which are required. I did also opt to use a 4” offset goose neck ball. I wouldn’t think twice about going back to a 5er hitch after using the Goose Box. The link below has quite a few others that are using the Reece Goose Box.

irv2.com discussion regarding Reece Goose Box

“Happy Trails”
Chiefneon

[n0arp]

TXiceman wrote:
No Goose Box. It is glorified goose neck adapter

A legit concern, and one I should have listed in the "Cons" section. Ultimately, I figure it's no more of a risk than the Sidewinder we have on there now.

[TXiceman]

No Goose Box. It is glorified goose neck adapter.

Id go for the Trailer Saver, no questions asked.

Ken

[n0arp]

I ended up ordering the 2nd Gen 20K Goosebox (Reese part #94720) and the Curt #60618 GN kit for the Ram puck system. Looking forward to getting them installed and listing the Sidewinder, Curt A16, and B&W Patriot 16K on Craigslist.

Even though we won't exceed 16K, it's likely we're going to exceed the 3200lb pin on the 16K model.

[robroy90]

I have to have a Sidewinder in my RAM because I have a rambox bed. That means a B&W Companion hitch for me. I have tried them all, and IMHO, B&W makes the best hitch money can buy in terms of quality and security.

That said, if I were to have a longbed truck, I would buy a Goosebox hands down. Especially the 2nd generation version that has an integrated lock on it to prevent tampering.

I have a B&W turnoverball installed on my truck, in addition to the factory 4 corner "pucks" I had to install myself in the rambox bed because they don't offer tow prep from the factory on a rambox. I like the turnoverball for the convenience of stowing it, but I would also look long and hard at the gooseneck ball kit that B&W makes for factory tow prep. It includes a really nice case, and adapters that allow you to use the rear two puck locations to hook your gooseneck safety chains to.