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Old 09-23-2013, 07:45 PM   #1
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Reese 15K Pro & 16K Pro slide bar latch concerns

I am new to 5th wheel hitches and I have concerns about the Reese 15K pro that the dealer is planning on selling me.
I am not concerned about the weight rating as it is sufficient for the 8528RSWS That I plan on buying, but I actually looked a 15K today and I do not like the design. It just has a flat slide bar that latches the king pin and it seems to me there would be a lot of movement within the head lock. Additionally the head plate has a very limited side to side rotation. Stepping up to the 16K Pro has better side to side rotation, but it still uses the flat slider bar latch.
The 20K Pro uses double locking jaws which seems to be a much better design, but 20K is a bit overkill.
A different dealer in the area has a B & W 16K Patriot with rails for $699. That seems to be a pretty good price and a seems to be a better head design.
I have search the forums, but not found any specifics addressing my concerns. Any thoughts from the experienced 5rs out there about the sliding bar latch?
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Old 09-23-2013, 07:58 PM   #2
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I have the 16K with sliding latch bar. Towed my fiver many miles and it hasn't come detached....yet !!

And absolutely no movement with my reese revolution engaged.
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Old 09-24-2013, 10:44 AM   #3
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I swapped my 16k pro Reese for a 16k select(?) series hitch with the 2 jaw setup. We noticed a difference with the ride immediately and prefer it over the slide bar style.
I would have gone with the B&W Patriot but I need it to be lower in the bed to be under my bed cover. FYI - If you decide to go with the Patriot I can be found online for about $300 cheaper that what you listed, and that includes free shipping.
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Old 09-24-2013, 05:52 PM   #4
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I think I have decided to go with the B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch RVK3300.
My F-250 has the factory installed 5th wheel prep kit, so the RVK3300 will sit right in.
It's twice the price as the Reese ($799 at Tweetys) but it looks like a quality built unit and it is made in America.
Any advice to the contrary?
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Old 09-25-2013, 01:06 PM   #5
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I think that would be a decision you will be happy with.
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Old 09-25-2013, 01:22 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reyob View Post
I think I have decided to go with the B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch RVK3300.
My F-250 has the factory installed 5th wheel prep kit, so the RVK3300 will sit right in.
It's twice the price as the Reese ($799 at Tweetys) but it looks like a quality built unit and it is made in America.
Any advice to the contrary?
Great choice...much better tow vs the old latch bar system.



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Old 09-25-2013, 01:38 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reyob View Post
I think I have decided to go with the B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch RVK3300.
My F-250 has the factory installed 5th wheel prep kit, so the RVK3300 will sit right in.
It's twice the price as the Reese ($799 at Tweetys) but it looks like a quality built unit and it is made in America.
Any advice to the contrary?
I have the 5th wheel latch kit from Butch's Service (http://5thwheellatchkit.com), and he advises it should work on the B&W. He said he does not include it in his list of compatible hitches; " because of the manufacturing error of the slope sheets that were not equally aligned in their manufacturing process."

If I find mine are not level across the slope sheets, he can provide the necessary shim to correct it.
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