I have a slider, but I chose to paint the top of the hitch and bottom plate of the pin box with https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...l?cm_vc=-10005 . I'll tell you the longer it dries the more durable it gets.

I had issues with the hitch allowing the pin box to side into place, no more issues after the lube applied. Nice thing, no disk to loose, and no grease to attract dust. Don't put you hand on it as it will leave it black like a pencil mark.

I installed a new hitch yesterday (Sat 2/12) I ordered from Etrailer.
The kit came with some extra large bolts. We could not figure out where these went. We read the directions several times.
Customer service was able to solve the dilemma in less than 5 min and no time on hold.
That was a plus for Etrailer.

Could you please describe what hitch and the solution to the issue - might help others down the road.

Sure....
I purchased a Reese 27K Puck system for the 21 F350 DRW.
The system is 3 parts - Head, Center, and Legs.
We installed the legs (with the pucks) to the center section with 4 large (24mm) head bolts and conical washers. These 4 bolts and washers were in the parts bag for the legs.
There were two of these large bolts, conical washers and nuts in the center section hardware bag.
We were following the directions and there were no instructions on the extra bolts, nuts and washers. There was a third hole in the legs where a bolt could have fit. However, the nut, washer and bolt head were fouling on a weld joint on the legs.
We were finished with the install and scratching our collective heads on the remaining hardware.
I wanted to ensure that everything was installed and torqued properly and not be THAT GUY who cut corners and was stranded because of cutting corners.
Customer service at Etrailer was great in clearing up the confusion that the extra hardware was not needed.
Kudos to Etrailer

I would snap a pic but it is pouring and 50deg outside here in SE VA.

Hope this helps.

I was just looking at the Reese hitch on etrailer and watched the video on installation and they explained the extra bolts.

How do you like the Reese? I had a Reese Elite previously and now am looking at the Reese or the B&W Companion.

Brian

Brian get the B&W. I have had both and the B&W is hands down the better hitch - much easier to work with.
Keith

I've been using a Reese for 15+ years with no problems. I store it outside hanging on the trailer hitch box pin.

I don't doubt you, my Reese was great too (Titan R-20) - except for one thing. That is you must have the jaws open (unlocked and open) to get out of it. If the jaws stayed closed you could not unhook. I got tired of having to rock the truck while DW pulled on the handle. Same for hitching up - things needed to be pretty level.

With the B&W, if the hitch is unlocked (locking handle fully back) and the jaws don't open, you can drive out of it. It is also more tolerant of getting into in a bind during hookup. Easier to get the handle to lock. The two sections are a bit (lighter) to move too, than my Titan was.

Both are good silent (no bucking/chucking noise), both cushioned, so you cant go wrong with either. I just prefer the B&W operation better. It's also USA made and serviced - great folks to call if you have questions.

Keith

I like to remove the hitch from the truck and store when I am here in Florida for the winter. The Demco Recon has been a very good investment for us now on year 5 looks like new and I can remove it in 3 pieces that don’t weigh more than 45lbs. Roadslesstraveled did a review on it recently. I have the Ford puck system and use a rail mount. Recently added a MoRyde pin. This article discuss the gooseball attachment:



https://roadslesstraveled.us/demco-2...erm=2023-02-13

Interesting - I took my first hard look at this hitch as you recommend it. If I may offer my first thoughts.

So king pin appears to sit at least 3" behind the axle center (most goose balls are at axle center), but this might let it work in an short bed on some brands. I like to see over or slightly ahead of axle center myself based on experience over the years and several trailers. There are a lot of bolts to undo and redo (4 or is it 5 to torque) to put the hitch in and out. Please correct me if I am wrong. In the case of the B&W it's 4 cam locks at the pucks for the base, and 2 clevis pins at the head. Both the head and base have built in handles.

It does look better made than then AUH, but the engineer in me is concerned about the added stress being put on the goose neck ball mount (only attachment point) that it would not see with a standard goose neck set up. It also appear it cant be used with the turning point or other turning hitch box that use a wedge WARNING! – Do Not Use a Wedge. Do NOT prevent the kingpin from rotating within jaws of the Recon Goose Ball Coupler with a wedge or other device.​ source - https://www.demco-products.com/rv-to...k-ball-mount-1

Wedges can be used with the B&W OEM (puck mount) Companion and other brands such as Reese or Curt depending on the model.. It appears Demco doesn't make a direct puck mount, but do make a puck mount to rail adapter for thier various hitches so the have thought things out.

Also a thought on goose neck balls, some are round like the Ford and can turn easy and held in with ball detente pins (not a through locking pin). Just wondering if that makes a difference in strength for this application.

Question - have you had any of the issues pointed out in the video? Specifically noise? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jyHEvUWOo4
The other good thing is I have not seen any failures on this hitch yet like have occurred with the AUH at times.

Now having said all that - if it work for you, great.

Safe travels

Keith

I looked at the video and can’t comment on the gooseball install because mine sits on rails that connect to the Ford puck system. I have a long bed truck so can’t comment on how it would work on a short bed. It does not move as his does.

Also, I had a standard pin box before and when I was going to upgrade contacted Demco. The Recon has a double pivot head and the pin box I was going to buy (RotoFlex) would not have been a good match as it does the same thing and would work against the design. I suspect that is what happened to damage the head on his Recon. I was recommended to get the Morryde which moves forward and back. So far it’s working well for me.

I do have to check the torque on the set screw that holds the head and do that after going on some rough roads but mainly check every 1,000 miles. That is not a big deal for me and I like to inspect things anyway. I leave the rails on the truck and remove the hitch and that is super easy to do. Remove the pin that connects head, 4 pins that connect to the rail and that’s it. Here is the video of how it is installed/removed.


https://youtu.be/GkRCmLs16lk

Vivian - thanks for the additional input. Good to know your happy with your selection. Its great to have good feedback and discussion to help others. I agree the rail mount is a lot more secure then the goose ball mount option.

Again safe travels

Keith

Country Campers
The Reese 27K was replacing a borrowed Reese 20K slider.
I have not towed with it...yet.
I will report back.

On the other topic of which manufacturer.
I went with Reese because it closed like a "C" from the side on the kingpin. Not like a claw like some other brands.
This is my first 5er AND my first 5er hitch. I have several Reese hitches before with no issues.
The claw closure looked sketch, to me! It could be the greatest thing in the world and maybe I will realize that.

Time will tell.

I ran a Reese Titan 5th wheel hitch for 5 years and while it's operation was OK there were several tolerances that accumulated to a significant clunk when starting to stopping. I have switched to a B&W which has much tighter tolerances and is much quieter. My other comments in post 4 of this thread.

The main reason that I got rid of the Reese was a significant failure of one of the main pivot bolts. A fatigue break of a grade 8 bolt. When the bolt broke, the upper plate has a tongue which drops into a slot in the lower cradle (see attached picture) . . . but, the only thing keeping the trailer attached to the truck at that point was gravity. A large pothole could have been catastrophic. I would encourage anyone running one of these hitches to check/replace these two key bolts.

Anyway . . . I lost confidence in the Reese design and moved to B&W which seems to be a much better designed and built product (in my opinion)

Rob

I just finished the install of the new B&W Companion 20K fifth wheel hitch. First impressions are that it is better built than my previous Reese Elite 18K. It seems more robust but not much heavier. The double jaw should make a difference as the Reese was a single jaw hook type. We will see what the first tow is like, sometime this year when the weather changes.

Brian