Which B&W Companion Hitch to Tow 16,800-lbs Trailer with 2018 Ford F-250 Short Bed

Question:

We recently bought our first fifth wheel with the following specs.. UVW 12,300, GVWR 16,800, Hitch 2,200.. at the dealers recommendation, we purchased the Reese 16kw Gooseneck with a BandW turn over ball hitch.. we typically carry the golf cart and standard gear, nothing over the top.. should of gone with a 20kw? And why if so.? More is always better I know, but what downfalls if any will I encounter.. I also ALMOST hit the nose of the trailer in to the back corner of the cab when backing at a sharp turn. How do I avoid this.? I’m pulling with an 18’ F250, 6.7 diesel, 6.75 bed..

asked by: Raul

Expert Reply:

I see two problems here right off the bat. First, you're using a 16k hitch to tow a trailer with a GVWR of 16,800-lbs. You may never get over 16,000-lbs of total weight, but you're really pushing the limits of that hitch with that trailer. Secondly, it sounds like judging by the issues you're experiencing with turning, that you might not have a sliding hitch. If you don't have a rotating pin box on this trailer, you're going to need a sliding hitch to move the trailer away from the truck cab when you're turning.

It sounds like you've got a B&W Gooseneck hitch already installed in your 2018 Ford F-250, so I recommend using the B&W # BWRVK3400-5W which will mount in that goosneck hitch. B&W is one of our most popular hitches and is generally revered because of their durability and reliability over time. This hitch has a 20,000-lbs capacity, so it's going to give you the extra buffer when it comes to pulling your 16,800-lbs trailer, while also providing you with one of the best hitches on the market.

If you've got a rotating pin box, I would recommend seeing if you can adjust the hitch head setting a little bit further back to give you some extra room when turning, but you'll need to be careful.

I've linked a review video of this hitch for you to have a look at, as well as an article that I recommend checking out on how to determine what type of clearance you're going to need to make a 90 degree turn with this trailer and truck combo.

expert reply by: Erik B