Ford fifth wheel prep - B&W or Reese?

[Johndeere4955]

Hey all. Just bought a new Ford with the fifth wheel prep package. I wanted to keep my Husky hitch but there is no adapter plate that Husky makes to fit the Ford system yet. So I am looking at a B&W Companion or a Reese Elite. Both are within 50$ of each other here in Canada for price so $ is not an issue.

I do like the amount of side to side travel my Husky has. I would like to here from people who have the Reese Elite or B&W Companion. Which is a better choice?

Thanks.

[Cummins12V98]

BB_TX wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
...........
Look around at trucks that have bed damage, a lot of REESE no B&W. I have heard of one guy dropping with a B&W he admitted to locking the handle open.
...........

I would be curious just how many trucks with bed damage from Reese Elite hitches you have seen. Clam shell maybe. Documented numbers please.
The Reese Elite, Pullrite Super 5th, and B&W all use similar positive wrap around jaws to latch the king pin. All come apart in two sections for easy removal. All leave the bed flat with the Ford prep. I don't think you can go wrong with any. Like truck brands, personal opinion.

Do you have a B&W?

Just compare them side by side and you would choose B&W.

The ONLY hitch with a similar locking mechanism is the TrailerSaver hitch.

[trooper251]

Love my B&W Companion. Couple of minutes to remove and I have my pick-up bed without any restriction from rails. When it's time to tow, drop it in and I'm ready.

[BB_TX]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
...........
Look around at trucks that have bed damage, a lot of REESE no B&W. I have heard of one guy dropping with a B&W he admitted to locking the handle open.
...........

I would be curious just how many trucks with bed damage from Reese Elite hitches you have seen. Clam shell maybe. Documented numbers please.
The Reese Elite, Pullrite Super 5th, and B&W all use similar positive wrap around jaws to latch the king pin. All come apart in two sections for easy removal. All leave the bed flat with the Ford prep. I don't think you can go wrong with any. Like truck brands, personal opinion.

[JamesBr]

Pullrite has the same USA claims (I say claims because I have not been to either the B&W or Pullrite factories to confirm this myself that they are both 100% USA made.)

With the factory prep, all fo the hitches are that easy to remove and install, that was the idea behind it. As for the latching, thats to each his own to decide on what jaw and release system they personally think is the best, they all work, but each has its ups, downs, and checks to avoid trailer drops.

[Cummins12V98]

sptddog wrote:
I also use a B&W - aside from the USA made and ease of removing, the number one key for me was the ability to visually SEE the hitch jaws around the kingpin when I hook up. While I still do a pull test, I really like knowing that it's at the right spot in the kingpin, and that the jaws are engaged. My husband is new to hauling and hooking up, and while careful, he's not as careful as someone who has dropped a trailer in the bed, or one that has seen that happen, so I like that I can make him visually look and see. From there it's just making sure the handle is locked in and he's in good shape. Another bonus is that I can see the safety pin that holds the handle in place while driving the truck (from the reflection of the little mirror area on the front of the 5th wheel). Give me piece of mind lol.

Put a lock in the handle! There are jerks out there.

I use the lock for the break away cable. It's a step that I always do.

[sptddog]

I also use a B&W - aside from the USA made and ease of removing, the number one key for me was the ability to visually SEE the hitch jaws around the kingpin when I hook up. While I still do a pull test, I really like knowing that it's at the right spot in the kingpin, and that the jaws are engaged. My husband is new to hauling and hooking up, and while careful, he's not as careful as someone who has dropped a trailer in the bed, or one that has seen that happen, so I like that I can make him visually look and see. From there it's just making sure the handle is locked in and he's in good shape. Another bonus is that I can see the safety pin that holds the handle in place while driving the truck (from the reflection of the little mirror area on the front of the 5th wheel). Give me piece of mind lol.

[Cummins12V98]

Pretty simple.

B&W top quality USA Made

Easy two pc removal.

No rattle solid top to bottom

1" thick jaws that fully wrap the kingpin. Just LOOK either you are hitched or not.

Look around at trucks that have bed damage, a lot of REESE no B&W. I have heard of one guy dropping with a B&W he admitted to locking the handle open.

Just compare them side by side and ask people that have had other brands then have a B&W they will tell you B&W. I went from RBW to B&W no comparison.

If the B&W were $300 more than the REESE I would still go with B&W.

[BB_TX]

Can't comment on the B&W, but I am very happy with the Reese Elite in my 2012 F350 with Ford factory hitch prep. Plenty of side to side travel.

Pullrite Super 5th is also a very good hitch that fits the Ford prep now, and I think a bit less expensive. I had a Pullrite Super 5th in my previous truck (without factory prep) and really liked it. Would have bought another if they had had it to fit the factory prep at the time I bought.

[JamesBr]

With the new ford prep package you can even get an ISR adaptor kit and use your current hitch. So there are no rails to leave behind anyway. I have yet to see my rails get in the way once in the past year. But I guess its to each their own if they feel the rails are truely in the way our not.

I been using a pullrite ISR (Industry Standard Rails) and while its a single jaw, I like how the hitch engages and locks. They make a hitch for the ford OEM prep as well.

[the_bear_II]

I have the B&W Companion and it has been flawless since 2007.

Very easy to remove and re-install. Bed is completely void of any rails when the hitch is out.

I also have the gooseneck hitch in case I need to tow a gooseneck equipped trailer.

However....
The truck came with the B&W already installed by the Upfitter that built the truck. I would have gone with an air type hitch if I was equipping the truck.