Comparing the B&W Patriot 16K, Curt A16, and Reese 16K 5th Wheel Hitches

Question

Question:

The base rails I have now only have the 20.5" center to center slots but I want to use the Curt A16 so what are my options? 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 8’ bed

asked by: Larry M

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

The B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch part # BWRVK3200, Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch part # C16120, and Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch part # RP30047 all have fully articulating hitch heads so there won't be much of a difference in hitching/unhitching at an angle. I recommend the Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch part # C16120 over the others for a few different reasons.

The first of which is that the A16 has 1" thick, dual interlocking jaws which will do a phenomenal job of reducing chucking. The second reason is that it has an easy one pin head removal system that allows you to remove/install the unit in two pieces. This then makes it possible for one person to remove/install the unit themselves.

The difference in price mostly has to do with the manufacturer and country of origin. The B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch is the only one of the above options that are made in the USA so you can expect to pay more because of this. If you don't like the Curt A16 then this would be my next recommendation.

Please note that the B&W Patriot and Curt A16 5th wheel trailer hitches install on 29" centers (side to side) whereas the Reese 5th wheel trailer hitch installs on 20.5" centers (side to side) so you may need to check you rails.

expert reply by: Conner L

1

Larry

4/11/2019

The base rails I have now only have the 20.5" center to center slots but I want to use the Curt A16 so what are my options? 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 8’ bed

Reply

Conner L.

4/11/2019

In order to use the Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch part # C16120, you will need to get a different set of base rails and frame brackets that can accommodate the 29" centers (side to side) of the mounting feet. The reason you must replace the frame brackets as well is because the ones you have now most likely won't line up with the new rails. For your 1996 Dodge Ram 2500, you can use the Curt Universal Fifth Wheel Base Rails with Installation Kit part # C16100 or the Reese Universal Base Rails and Installation Kit part # RP30035 in order to install the above Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch, whichever you prefer.

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Answer 1

We've actually done a video of the B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 18,000 lbs #BWRVK3270 that shows how the slider works; it's really just a lever on the base that releases and allows the hitch head to slide…

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Answer 2

We have some ways to gain more clearance in your truck bed but you'll need to either use a sliding hitch like the B&W Patriot #BWRVK3270 (you would just need the base #BWRVB3270) or you need to use a Sidewinder pin box which has a rotating…

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Answer 3

B&W recommends using a thin layer of white lithium grease like #L11354 to lubricate the slider rods, but you'll want to clean the rods first. A degreaser like #BE64VR would work well for cleaning the rods.

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Answer 4

Choosing the right height setting for your 5th wheel hitch is a combination of a few different variables. First of all you want your towing setup to be as level as possible. With your Montana High Country 340BH level you will want to measure from the…

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Answer 5

The noise that you are hearing is common for fifth wheel hitches, particularly sliding hitches such as the Curt A16 #C16520-16020 and there is not going to be a way for you to eliminate that noise. There will be a bit of play between the jaws of your…

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Answer 6

You don't actually want to grease the tubes that the hitch slides along. Technically those tubes are really just guides for the hitch to go along. The actual part you want moving is the rollers going along those tubes. Now you can add a little…

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Answer 7

The B and W Slider hitch that will fit the Reese fifth wheel rails you have installed in your truck bed is the B and W Patriot part #BWRVK3270 which is a confirmed fit and designed for that style of fifth wheel rail.

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Answer 8

For a 5th wheel hitch with an under-bed mounting system, the Reese system that includes the #RP30921 sliding Reese M5 5th wheel hitch and the #RP87FR under-bed rail kit would be a good choice for you. You'll want to look under the bed and check…

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Answer 9

Ideally you want your trailer to be towed as level possible and still have at least 6 inches of clearance between overhang of the trailer and the bed rails of the truck. Since trucks tend to keep getting built taller and taller this can prove to be…

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Answer 10

I have the dimensions you are looking for on the B&W Companion #BWRVK3400-5W, which you install in your 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500 with Custom Underbed Installation Kit #BWGNRK1012-5W. According to B&W, the Companion slider measures 15"…

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Answer 11

That's a great question and I have a solution for you. I can tell you that the chucking you feel is because of a loose jaw connection on the 5th wheel head. You need a full 360 degrees of solid contact to help reduce chucking. **B&W Patriot…

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Answer 12

You are correct that the Wedge for Curt A Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches #C16992 will work with your Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider #C16520-16020; it has been used by a number of our customers with a Turning Point and has worked…

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Comparing the B&W Patriot 16K, Curt A16, and Reese 16K 5th Wheel Hitches

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