Joined the B&W Hitch Club

[blofgren]

Well, I've been looking at B&W hitches for a while, but struggled with the price of them new. I stumbled across a 1 year old one last evening that is like new and bought it today for about 1/2 the price of new! I am amazed at the workmanship on it, and man is it heavy! It also sits lower than my Ram/Curt unit did so I think it will help to level my fiver, which sat slightly nose high.

Out with the old:



In with the new:



I am very happy with how easy it operates and am really looking forward to towing with it! The jaws are massive!

[MFL]

cummins2014 wrote:
"If my son with his new Ford Superduty decides to go a slider ,IMO he doesn't need one ,but would hate to see him put his new fifth wheel thru the back window, its certainly possible . I would direct him to a B&W slider , direct fit to the pucks [emoticon] I know, never thought you would hear that . [emoticon] If not the Andersen without question . His new fifth is not extremely heavy ,nor long , but will have that short bed friendly front cap ."

My advice, as a friend, I'd suggest that your son skip the slider.

While any of us can have an oh chit happen, your son is not new to towing, and understands the caution/awareness needed in extreme conditions. His new Ford, using the 3300, adjusted for best clearance is a better choice. Much lighter base, about 78 lbs, easy in/out, compared to the heavier slider, that may never be used.

With your Ram, and your years of experience, you may not need a slider, and the Andersen works well for you, with it's adjustment options.

My hitch pin center is just in front of axle center, at 40.5"s from cab. Never an issue, with my FW design. I would feel safe at 38"s from cab, if needed, but not any closer. Like most things, one size does not fit all! 🙂

Jerry

[cummins2014]

MFL wrote:

blofgren wrote:

MFL wrote:
"Maybe the Ram shortbox offers less cab to trailer clearance than the Ford does?"

Yes, several inches less from axle center to cab. While in most cases a Ford, or GM, will not NEED a slider, with modern FWs, a Ram would require more caution, when backing/turning short.

Jerry

I'm not sure that it's several inches, but I do believe they are slightly shorter. They are 6'4".

I have rarely needed the slider, but have had the cap of the trailer touch the back window of the truck a couple of times in tight turns so it can happen. The B&W sliding mechanism looks to be much easier to use than the Curt was so it hopefully won't be such a hassle to use.

The Curt assembly and picture frame adapter sold today so they are definitely in demand too.

It is the axle center to cab, rather than bed length, that makes the difference. Design changes happen, but GM was longest at about 43 inches, then Ford about 41"s, with Ram being shortest around 38"s.

Great you sold the Curt and adapter. The B&W will have some ahead/back, as well as up/down adjustment by moving the upright arms. Check all adjustments, when hooked up, for all clearance issues, with hitch in tow position, and slid back as well, for pin box clearance.

Enjoy that new hitch.

Jerry

Been thru all this with a Ford short bed 6-9 and the Ram 6-4 . Two different hitches , four fifth wheels , three with the Ford, and two with the Ram . Two of the fifth wheels with both trucks . Two different hitches with the Ram .

I can probably speak as to which was easier to back, you are saying its 3" difference in the Ram ,and ford ? Never measured that . I have taken no more caution with this Ram in the 8 years towing , actually abandoned the Reese slider for the Andersen . Never used the slider in either truck . Got a friend that grew tired of the hassle ,and weight of the Superglide ,and went Andersen , no problem with his ford short bed .

If my son with his new Ford Superduty decides to go a slider ,IMO he doesn't need one ,but would hate to see him put his new fifth wheel thru the back window, its certainly possible . I would direct him to a B&W slider , direct fit to the pucks :E I know, never thought you would hear that . 🙂 If not the Andersen without question . His new fifth is not extremely heavy ,nor long , but will have that short bed friendly front cap .

[MFL]

blofgren wrote:

MFL wrote:
"Maybe the Ram shortbox offers less cab to trailer clearance than the Ford does?"

Yes, several inches less from axle center to cab. While in most cases a Ford, or GM, will not NEED a slider, with modern FWs, a Ram would require more caution, when backing/turning short.

Jerry

I'm not sure that it's several inches, but I do believe they are slightly shorter. They are 6'4".

I have rarely needed the slider, but have had the cap of the trailer touch the back window of the truck a couple of times in tight turns so it can happen. The B&W sliding mechanism looks to be much easier to use than the Curt was so it hopefully won't be such a hassle to use.

The Curt assembly and picture frame adapter sold today so they are definitely in demand too.

It is the axle center to cab, rather than bed length, that makes the difference. Design changes happen, but GM was longest at about 43 inches, then Ford about 41"s, with Ram being shortest around 38"s.

Great you sold the Curt and adapter. The B&W will have some ahead/back, as well as up/down adjustment by moving the upright arms. Check all adjustments, when hooked up, for all clearance issues, with hitch in tow position, and slid back as well, for pin box clearance.

Enjoy that new hitch.

Jerry

[ford_truck_guy]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
^^^Hehe you better be careful taking my word as Gospel. You might end up with a fa fa fa Ford.

Like my wife says there are always exceptions.

I wouldn't know what to do If Ron went to a Ford :h

First It's the tires, then what ......
no more Ram's ?
Amzoil been replaced?
Harley traded for a Kawasaki ?
B & W swapped for Anderson ?

It would be like a polar opposite world...

ok..ok..ok.. Let's not get excited I have faith ! !

[blofgren]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
^^^Hehe you better be careful taking my word as Gospel. You might end up with a fa fa fa Ford.

Like my wife says there are always exceptions.

I think that CPfa fa fa Four is a big holdback! :B

[blofgren]

MFL wrote:
"Maybe the Ram shortbox offers less cab to trailer clearance than the Ford does?"

Yes, several inches less from axle center to cab. While in most cases a Ford, or GM, will not NEED a slider, with modern FWs, a Ram would require more caution, when backing/turning short.

Jerry

I'm not sure that it's several inches, but I do believe they are slightly shorter. They are 6'4".

I have rarely needed the slider, but have had the cap of the trailer touch the back window of the truck a couple of times in tight turns so it can happen. The B&W sliding mechanism looks to be much easier to use than the Curt was so it hopefully won't be such a hassle to use.

The Curt assembly and picture frame adapter sold today so they are definitely in demand too.

[Cummins12V98]

4x4ord wrote:
^^^Hehe you better be careful taking my word as Gospel. You might end up with a fa fa fa Ford.

Like my wife says there are always exceptions.

[4x4ord]

^^^Hehe you better be careful taking my word as Gospel. You might end up with a fa fa fa Ford.

[Cummins12V98]

4x4ord wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
You might be able to find someone with a Ram shortbox and a slightly used non slider that would trade you straight across ... I guess the slider is of zero value to you and a non slider would be a little lighter.

You must be slipping. His DRW RAM is a MegaCab ShortBed. :B

:S I totally forgot about Ram making a shortbox dually mega cab. Although I really like the B&W hitch, if I thought I needed a slider I’d buy an auto slide hitch before buying a manual slide B&W. I just can’t imagine screwing around with a manual slide hitch. Maybe the Ram shortbox offers less cab to trailer clearance than the Ford does?

After all these years and me blindly taking your word for the Gospel I now find my self needing to confirm your comments after this VERY big FooPah. :B

[MFL]

"Maybe the Ram shortbox offers less cab to trailer clearance than the Ford does?"

Yes, several inches less from axle center to cab. While in most cases a Ford, or GM, will not NEED a slider, with modern FWs, a Ram would require more caution, when backing/turning short.

Jerry

[4x4ord]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
You might be able to find someone with a Ram shortbox and a slightly used non slider that would trade you straight across ... I guess the slider is of zero value to you and a non slider would be a little lighter.

You must be slipping. His DRW RAM is a MegaCab ShortBed. :B

:S I totally forgot about Ram making a shortbox dually mega cab. Although I really like the B&W hitch, if I thought I needed a slider I’d buy an auto slide hitch before buying a manual slide B&W. I just can’t imagine screwing around with a manual slide hitch. Maybe the Ram shortbox offers less cab to trailer clearance than the Ford does?

[blofgren]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
As President let me officially welcome you to the “B&W HeavyWeight FanBoy Club”.

I hope you will report your experiences towing with your quality US Made hitch. Comparisons to the Chinese Made CURT hitch will be of interest.

Thanks for the welcome! :B

I can certainly tell you so far that the bed latching cams on the B&W are much better than the Curt ones. Easily adjustable in multiple ways and with a bit of fine tuning, they fit perfectly.

[blofgren]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
You might be able to find someone with a Ram shortbox and a slightly used non slider that would trade you straight across ... I guess the slider is of zero value to you and a non slider would be a little lighter.

You must be slipping. His DRW RAM is a MegaCab ShortBed. :B

Correct; I thought about going with a non-slider but thought then for sure I will need the slider at some point. Better to have it and not need it than vice versa!

[MFL]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Flashman wrote:
Need a fork lift to get that thing out?

To be granted access to the FanBoy Club you need to pass the ManlyMan Test. :B

This, or work smart, no fork lift needed! Already passed smart test, buying a B&W. :C

Jerry

[Cummins12V98]

Flashman wrote:
Need a fork lift to get that thing out?

To be granted access to the FanBoy Club you need to pass the ManlyMan Test. :B