Recommended 5th Wheel Slider Hitch to Replace 14-Year-Old Reese Hitch
Question:
We have a 2011 Silverado 3500hd 6 1/2 ft bed. We currently have a 14 year old Reese 16K slider 5th wheel hitch that has given us good service thru 3 trailers. Our current 5th wheel trailer is a 2010 Arctic Fox 29 5T with a GVWR of 12,000 lbs. The head is getting difficult to lock and unlock from the king pin and we are getting considerable chucking when stopping and starting. The Reese has the industry standard rails. What would you recommend to replace our current hitch hopefully solving both our stated problems. Thanks.
asked by: David
Expert Reply:
I would say your 14-year-old Reese 5th wheel hitch has done its duty for you, lasting over the course of three trailers! That's pretty good. You obviously took very good care of it.
But a new 5th wheel hitch will likely have additional features not included on your Reese, and so a new hitch will benefit you not only from being brand new with nice, tight tolerances all around, but also potentially from having additional user-friendly features like a fully-articulating head (for easier hitching on uneven ground) and a cam-action latching handle that prevent binding.
Since you already have base rails in the truck there is no sense changing them out for a new installation kit. The slider hitch I suggest to go into your existing base rails is the 18K B&W Patriot # BWRVK3270.
B&W is a vertical manufacturer, producing almost everything in-house from raw U.S. steel. Their hitches are not fabricated or assembled overseas. They are made not too far from us in Humboldt, KS, where B&W began as a family-owned business...and it still is. If you have a chance to check one out in person you'll notice the quality of the metalwork and powder-coating, and also the sheer sturdiness of the components - such as the 3/4-inch thick dual jaws - clearly a cut above most of the competition.
This is an easy recommendation to bring you to the latest in 5th wheel sliders.
Products Referenced in This Question
B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 18,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 4500 lbs Vertical Load
- 18000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 17 - 19 Inch Tall
- 12 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- B and W
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Square Tube Slider - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 4000 lbs Vertical Load
- 16000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 15 - 18 Inch Tall
- 10 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- Reese
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Video: B and W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Installation - 2018 Ram 2500
- Shop: B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 18,000 lbs
- Shop: Demco 5th Wheel Rail Adapter for Ram OEM 5th Wheel Towing Prep Package - 25,000 lbs
- Video: B and W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch with Slider Review
- Search Results: b&w fifth wheel hitch
- Shop: B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 18,000 lbs
- Video: B and W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Installation - 2021 Ram 2500
- Search Results: reese sliding fifth wheel
- Shop: Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Roller - Slide Bar Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Shop: Reese 5th Wheel Rail Adapter for Ram OEM 5th Wheel Towing Prep Package - 25,000 lbs
- Q&A: Which B and W Slider Hitch is a Fit for Reese Fifth Wheel Rails
- Q&A: Is B&W Patriot 5th Wheel BWRVK3270 Compatible with Reese Rail Adapter RP30154
- Q&A: Can Head be Removed from B&W Patriot Slider 5th Wheel Hitch in a 2015 Ram 2500
- Q&A: B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Base Rail Installation Kit for 2017 Ram 2500 Short Bed
- Q&A: Will B&W Patriot Fifth Wheel Hitch Fit on Reese Base Plates?
- Video: B and W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch Installation - 2022 Ram 2500
- Shop: Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R20 Slider - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Article: Ram Trailer Tow Prep Package
- Search Results: 90160
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Q&A: Does Truck with 6-1/2 ft bed Have to Use Slider Hitch for Turning Clearance with Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Video: Choosing the Best Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Video: Manufacturer Review - Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch
- Search Results: trailer jack
- Q&A: What Is An OEM Prep Package And How Do I Know If I Have It
- Article: 4 Steps to Choosing Your 5th Wheel Pin Box
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
on Fifth Wheel Hitch
