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JaRed1986 · 12-31-2019, 09:31 PM

I just bought a 2019 Ram 3500 SRW with the Cummins. It has the puck system and now I need a new 5th wheel hitch. I'm debating on B&W Companion and Curt A20. My last hitch was a Reese that was pretty jerky and noisey. The B&W has forward and backward adjustments that I may need since I have the 6.5 foot bed. I dont think I'll need a slider, I didnt need it with my chevy the 5 years I had it. Any pros or cons with either brand? Or anyone that has experience with either feel free to let me know. Thanks!

ArkansasRomr · 12-31-2019, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaRed1986

I just bought a 2019 Ram 3500 SRW with the Cummins. It has the puck system and now I need a new 5th wheel hitch. I'm debating on B&W Companion and Curt A20. My last hitch was a Reese that was pretty jerky and noisey. The B&W has forward and backward adjustments that I may need since I have the 6.5 foot bed. I dont think I'll need a slider, I didnt need it with my chevy the 5 years I had it. Any pros or cons with either brand? Or anyone that has experience with either feel free to let me know. Thanks!

I’ve had both and I’m definitely very fond of the B&W. You have a goose neck or a quick change to the 5er companion. I made sure to keep the channel greased well.

Happy Trails!

txcpl · 01-01-2020, 04:30 AM

I have had both, but prefer the B&W.

IC2 · 01-01-2020, 05:56 AM

I haven't had a Curt but have had 11 trouble free years and about 50,000 miles with a B&W. Yes, I stripped a U-bolt on the old style turn over base - my fault. A call to B&W to buy replacements but they overnighted a new pair at no cost to me. B&W made a minor improvement, a leveling gadget for the head unit. I gave B&W a call to purchase one - again, an overnight package at no cost arrived. In my 11 years of use I updated the truck to a new one with the puck system. It did cost some bucks but B&W supplied the new base at a much lower cost then retail and I was able to use the existing head unit plus the new base uprated the hitch from 18K to 20K.

Towing - two different 5ers have never chucked/rattled/jerked but that can often be a matter of trailer loading weiight distribution, not the hitch.

Curt has a good reputation and possibly would also be a decent choice, but I doubt I'll ever need to change brands.

Dieselguy4 · 01-01-2020, 06:46 AM

I have a B&W companion slider in my F350. I hadved it from my short bed ram. I used it 2 times manuvering in a tight spot. I have been using it for 5 years. It has been a great hitch. Easy to hook up. Leaver is easy to lock one position and put the pin in. Hitch is quiet and I have no chucking. I have called B&W about operation and maintenance. Great customer service.

MtnGuy · 01-01-2020, 10:04 AM

I have a B&W slider in my F350 short bed. The slider offers piece of mind. I can do any 90 degree without worry, but a U turn with the steering up against the stop would be a concern.

I slide the hitch back when my wife goes in to check in at a campground, and it stays that way until we are ready to hit the road again. No worries about sharp turns to get into a camping site. Another plus is that the lowered tailgate doesn't cause a contact problem with the camper in all but the sharpest angles. Also, it gives you more room to unhook the umbilical cord and emergency break away cable when in the backward slide position.

The B&W hitches are made in the good ol' USA, and have a great repetition. I would not own any other brand.

Cumminsfan · 01-01-2020, 12:09 PM

Used a B&W Patriot 16K for 6 years. Flawless. The way the handle flips back when hitching up is a nice feature. It lets you know the pins locked in. A quick walk around to plug the 7 pin in and you can take a quick glance at the jaws to see if it's locked around the pin. Easy peasy. Quit doing pull tests after a few months of use. IMO it's a no fail system. Built like a tank.