Forum Discussion

Dutch_Oven_Man's avatar
Dutch_Oven_Man
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013

To upgrade hitch or not

We are about to buy our first fifth wheel and I have been shopping for a hitch. Over the weekend, I can across a hardly used Reese Kwik Slide 15K hitch with rails. It is about 5 years old, but was only used one time to permanently set up their camper. Long story short, they needed it gone within 8 hours and I gave them $150 to "take if off their hands". They were moving the next day and needed it gone.

Anyway, my only reservation with the hitch is that it did not pivot from side to side, only front to back. Never owning a fiver, is this a problem? I went to the local installer and he offered me $600 and said I would be happier with a 4 way pivot. I'm pretty happy with only spending $150, so is it worth trading up, or just be sure I'm level when unhooking?
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Aug 07, 2013
    My first hitch was a RBW front to back hitch. I did get into a couple situations where I had a very out of level condition. I had to block one of the rear tires up to level out the truck so it would hitch. Not much fun and nearly pushed the RV off the blocks.

    Changed out to a RBW fully articulating hitch and all was well except the hitch was clunky/noisy. Changed out to the B&W Companion, it is so far better then the RBW.

    You may want to sell what you have and go with a quality hitch that has more capacity to begin with. Most everyone goes bigger!
  • ReneeG's avatar
    ReneeG
    Explorer
    Aug 07, 2013
    Greene728 wrote:
    In the short amount of time I have been here I've learned one very important thing not to do.....ask for opinions. Some folks like Reese where others like B&W. Some say LT tires and others ST. Fords the best, no Dodge is. You get the picture. What you should do is install the hitch and give it a try. You may love it and have zero problems. If not, then resale, research based off your needs and requirements, and try another. But I surely wouldn't trade up and spend more $$$ before trying it out and seeing for myself. I'm betting it will do just fine. Will it perform like a top of the line B&W or other brand? Probably not. But, you spent $150 rather than $1000+ and will still get the job done.
    JMO and hope I didn't ruffle any feathers.


    You are absolutely right.
  • RAS43's avatar
    RAS43
    Explorer III
    Aug 06, 2013
    Greene728 wrote:
    In the short amount of time I have been here I've learned one very important thing not to do.....ask for opinions. Some folks like Reese where others like B&W. Some say LT tires and others ST. Fords the best, no Dodge is. You get the picture. What you should do is install the hitch and give it a try. You may love it and have zero problems. If not, then resale, research based off your needs and requirements, and try another. But I surely wouldn't trade up and spend more $$$ before trying it out and seeing for myself. I'm betting it will do just fine. Will it perform like a top of the line B&W or other brand? Probably not. But, you spent $150 rather than $1000+ and will still get the job done.
    JMO and hope I didn't ruffle any feathers.


    X2 Like he says, try it first, you will probably not have any issues.
  • msjdbman's avatar
    msjdbman
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    For my first 5er, I picked up a used Reese 14K single pivot, cheap. Worked great. Then I came across a guy selling an early Reese Slider for dirt cheap (still 14K). Got that. Worked great. Ran across another guy strapped for cash and got a 16K double rocker for rediculous cheap price. Put pieces and parts together for my 16K double rocker slider. Total cost less than $500, and I`ve sold the other stuff off for over $200. My hitch works perfectly, no chucking period, and I do like the side to pivot for hitching/unhitching.
  • Greene728's avatar
    Greene728
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    In the short amount of time I have been here I've learned one very important thing not to do.....ask for opinions. Some folks like Reese where others like B&W. Some say LT tires and others ST. Fords the best, no Dodge is. You get the picture. What you should do is install the hitch and give it a try. You may love it and have zero problems. If not, then resale, research based off your needs and requirements, and try another. But I surely wouldn't trade up and spend more $$$ before trying it out and seeing for myself. I'm betting it will do just fine. Will it perform like a top of the line B&W or other brand? Probably not. But, you spent $150 rather than $1000+ and will still get the job done.
    JMO and hope I didn't ruffle any feathers.
  • ReneeG's avatar
    ReneeG
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    aruba5er wrote:
    If the hitch doesn't swivel all ways, where does that side strain go? Into the frame the bolts the tires and ?. Buy a real hitch. Try a Hensley Trailer Saver. Air bags shocks and full articulating hitch with no handles to turn to lock full(about 1 1/2") jaws that you can see locked. Expensive but you would not be disappointed.


    Agree! We have a Hensley TrailerSaver BD3 and love it - check it out here. It has a true Holland Binkley head.
  • pressure_welder's avatar
    pressure_welder
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    I just upgraded from a husky 16K pivoting head, to a 20k reese select series single jaw, this thing pivots like nothing ive ever seen, zero chucking, hooking up and unhooking is amazing! i love this hitch and would HIGHLY recommend it also
  • aruba5er's avatar
    aruba5er
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    If the hitch doesn't swivel all ways, where does that side strain go? Into the frame the bolts the tires and ?. Buy a real hitch. Try a Hensley Trailer Saver. Air bags shocks and full articulating hitch with no handles to turn to lock full(about 1 1/2") jaws that you can see locked. Expensive but you would not be disappointed.
  • mudfuel07's avatar
    mudfuel07
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    I have a Reese 15k that only pivots from front to back. Have no clue how old it is, it came with the trailer, so at least 10-15 years old. I've never had a problem hitching or unhitching with it. Just take the weight off the hitch and pull out from underneath.
  • WeBeFulltimers's avatar
    WeBeFulltimers
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    mguay wrote:
    You asked the question...so I'm going to give you my opinion. Put that Reese on Craigs List and hopefully someone will "take it off your hands"! Then use that $$$ and get a B&W Patriot. I used a Reese slider for about 10k miles. In that time, the dealer swapped the head, uprights and rails twice trying to stop the start/stop clunk. I tossed it in the scrap pile and ordered the Patriot....NO more clunky start/stops!!!!


    DO THIS....DO THIS ! This is exactly what my experience was. Used that Reese 16K for 4 years and hated it every time I towed. Ordered the B & W from Amazon/Tweetys for $338 and was delivered next day. Installed using existing rails and everything works smooth as silk. Is nice now towing with a safe feeling.

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