Ready for a new fiver hitch. Suggestions??

[Radshooter]

My RBW hitch is slowly giving up the ghost. It came with the trailer in '99 and has been on 2 different trucks now. I never did like it, but we couldn't afford anything different until now. I have patched it up with the welder 2 or 3 times now, and the handle broke again tonight while moving our neighbor's trailer.



What are you guys pulling heavy fivers with? Our trailer weighs 16,800, so I need something heavy duty. The trailer is a triple axle, triple slide Travel Supreme Express. We are full-timers and move every 3-6 months so the hitch will get lots of use. Here are my priorities:

1. . Heavy duty

2. . Side to side pivot

3. . A clean bed upon removal would be nice, but not a make or break point of sale.

4. . Lockable pull handle.



I would also like to be able to actuate the pull handle from the ground without using the little 2-step ladder I have to climb on now.



I rarely haul stuff in the bed, but it would be nice to be able to get it under the trailer and out of the weather.



I am leaning toward the BW Turnover, but I realize there are other good hitches out there too. I have a long-bed truck so I don't need a slider.

Can I get a decent hitch for $800 range?



Sorry for the long post, but I appreciate your input.



Thanks... ... . Steve

 

[Big Mike]

I have an 18k Reese Signature series, clean bed when removed, side to side pivot, and single jaw mechanism. Seems really well built, no problems so far. If I remember right it was $700. 00 complete. Hope this helps.



Mike

 

[dhill]

Take a look at klenger's readers rigs site. He has a hitch that when removed has a clean bed. I think his is a Pull-Rite. I just installed a B&W TOB hitch, it was pretty easy, took about 2-1/2 hours by myself taking my time. The goose neck part was $350 delivered and the Companion 5th wheel hitch will be here next Wednesday and cost $670 delivered. The Brakesmart hasn't been built yet so no delivery date on that yet, but it will be $350 + shipping.





Dave

 

[klenger]

Take a look at klenger's readers rigs site. He has a hitch that when removed has a clean bed. I think his is a Pull-Rite. Dave

http://www.klenger.net/dodge/pullrite/index.html

 

[Fireman]

Pull Rite

Pull Rite has a 20. 5 K hitch for around $800. Love mine ! The Super Rails will run about $500. extra. If I remember the B&W Companion Hitch is only 16K, which would be marginal for your application.



Fireman

 

[Bertram65]

I have a Reese Signature 18k as well, I have been very happy with it, very solid construction, positive lock and indicator, the unlock lever is easy to reach when you are standing next to the truck. Also leaves a clean bed when you remove it.

 

[BGlidewell]

If I remember the B&W Companion Hitch is only 16K, which would be marginal for your application.

Fireman

The Companion hitch was the first hitch on the market to have all the mounting rails below the truck bed floor. It is rated to 18,000 lbs. GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) and 4500 lbs. VPW (Vertical Pin Weight).

http://www.turnoverball.com/companion/

 

[Fireman]

I stand corrected !

It's been a while since I was hitch shopping and I was strongly considering the B&W. My memory just aint what it used to be.



Thanks

Fireman

 

[mpwalker]

I have had the Reese 20K for about a year now and pull a heavy Travel Supreme product also, it has been very good, no problems at all and meets all your concerns. We are also fulltimers so it gets a lot of use as we move on the average every month. It can be removed quite easy just leaving the two bottom rails however we have not found a need to remove it so far.

 

[tschwab]

Checkout Hijacker, Really like mine so far.

http://www.hijacker.com/

 

[dhill]

Checkout Hijacker, Really like mine so far.

http://www.hijacker.com/

The way I read their instructions, you have to drill the frame.



Dave

 

[Turbo Thom]

When my RBW dies, my next one will be the Trailer Saver air hitch. I've looked at about 5 different ones and that's the best for the dollar I've seen. I'm finished with the standard hitch.



. . Preston. .

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks everyone. Both the Reese and Pullrite are sounding good now. I need to see the hitches in person and play with them. How do the jaws lock? Are they double jaws that meet in the middle, or do they use a bar like the RBW does? I really like the bar for security, but it is the only one I have ever used. If I see another kind, I may like it better. I am the kind of guy that has to see and touch stuff and turn it over to see how it works before I buy it.

Thanks again... ... . Steve

 

[klenger]

The PullRite has a hook style jaw assembly. I tried to find a picture of it, but didn't see any. The hook is about 270 degrees with an opening of 90 degrees for the pin. When it engages, the piece rotates to latch the pin in place.

 

[Bertram65]

The Reese signature series is a one piece jaw, rotates around the pin and engages a tab on the handle that indicates it is locked, you can lock the handle with a padlock, in fact you can only lock it if the jaw is locked. It would seem pretty hard to make a mistake with the way it is setup. Big difference between the regular Reese and the Reese signature series.

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks guys. Both the Reese and Pull-Rite sound good. The jaw sounds similar to the RBW I am used to. I will take a good look at them. I am thinking at least a18K hitch, and maybe a 20K if it is not much more expensive for a 17K trailer.



Thanks again... ... . Steve

 

[LEPage]

When my RBW dies, my next one will be the Trailer Saver air hitch. I've looked at about 5 different one and that's the best for the dollar I've seen. I finished with the standard hitch.



. . Preston. .

I to like the Trailersaver, but the dealer in Elkhart where I just ordered my new Tavel Supreme from advised against anything with a Holand/Brinkly head. He told me they're hard to open. I personally don't know. If you find out more, let me know. Maybe we can get a good deal on two! Otherwise, I'll probally go with a 20k Reese, Travel Supreme offers them for $475, which I can't touch one for that price anywhere else. Can you get a Trailersaver for under $2000?

 

[Turbo Thom]

Well dadgum. Thats the first time I've heard that. Hard to open, as how? I undertand the latch is moved and when you move the truck the hitch opens. That ain't so? I better look into that.



. . Preston. .

 

[RGH43]

Radshooter, Just had a Hi Jacker 21K installed, 4 way head, with a bar that goes behind the king pin, no question about it being locked. If you can put the pin in or a lock in its locked. Solid system. Its an under the bed system completely removable, I lock it in three places to deter theft while parked including locking the handle. The outfit I had install the Hi Jacker hitch 're fabed' the under bed mounting system so they "Bolted" it to the frame, NO Drilling or Welding to the frame, used exixting holes. This is a very beefy hitch & that was one of the comments I got from this site when I asked about Hitches a few weeks ago.

 

[BMancin]

Reese Sig 18K

Love this hitch. Pulling 15K 5er. Go to www.hitchesOnline. The whole unit was around 725. 00 including shipping! Great customer service as well.