Setting Up B&W Patriot Hitch for Rockwood Signature 5th Wheel

itat · 12-23-2018, 09:57 AM

I've put a down payment on an early-2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS. I'm new to 5ers so please excuse my lack of knowledge on this topic.

I need to get a fifth wheel hitch installed in my 2016 F-250 short bed pickup. I don't have the factory 5th wheel prep so to keep the cost down and still get a good quality hitch, I'd like to go with the B&W Patriot 16K or 18K on above bed rails.

I'm hoping someone here uses this hitch with their newer Rockwood Signature 5er, and can tell me how they setup their Patriot. I don't think the Reese Revolution pinbox is adjustable so getting the 5er level will have to be done only via the hitch's adjustments.

NMWildcat · 12-23-2018, 03:04 PM

I have seen several Revolutions and they were all adjustable a few inches via extra holes in the pinbox mounting 'wings' that are welded to the RV frame. But of course, that doesn't mean all of them are.

I wouldn't worry too much about proper setup until you have your truck, RV, and hitch. So many variables make every setup pretty much unique.

Be sure and get the custom wedge for the B&W hitches if you intend to use the Revolution as designed (and not lock it down).

Good luck!

itat · 12-23-2018, 04:28 PM

Thanks, Scott.

I didn't realize that the Revolution is adjustable. I just found this video on a Revolution Service Kit that shows the pinbox has 2 rows of bolt holes. The aftermarket 5th Airborne Sidewinder version has 3 rows of bolt holes. A couple members here have indicated that this dealer is very good so they should be competent to set it up for me.

I've already identified the custom wedge model number for a B&W hitch is SWW-06 so I'll definitely get that, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlK55zu3f80

OTH · 12-24-2018, 12:50 PM

I have the 8289 (nearly the same as yours), with the Reese Revolution. I installed the 16k Patriot in my 2016 3/4 ton Chev Duramax. I made no adjustments to the mounting of the Revolution. I mounted the hitch pivot arms to the Patriot's center hole position, meaning they could be mounted 2" higher or 2" lower (maybe it's one inch..) I also used the wedge for the Patriot instead of the one that came with the hitch. Hitch tows absolutely great, and hitches up easily. The Revolution works very well. I allows for a lot more use of the truck bed.

One note on the Revolution.. I wrote a detailed post a little bit ago regarding how the Revolution was installed with absolutely zero grease. I would not hesitate to buy another trailer with the Revolution installed, but I would take it apart and lube it up prior to using it.

Here is a link to my Revolution post if you are interested.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ry-168018.html

itat · 12-24-2018, 01:12 PM

Thanks, OTH.

I also found this video but it's probably not the official method for lubricating the Revolution.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1otj9U48yIA&t=86s

I would think that the previous video should show the official lubrication method.

Grapehound · 12-24-2018, 01:29 PM

I have the 16K B & W hitch and it did need lubrication when I got it. It sqeaked pretty bad when turning. Some spray lubricant fixed the squeal if you don't want to disassemble the hitch to grease it. I did not have to adjust the Reese hitch up or down as the trailer (2014 Rockwood Signature 8282) was pretty level as installed. Of course my 2008 RAM 3500 dually does not sit as high as some of these newer 3/4 tons which look like they arrive with a lift kit. My Rockwood factory wedge worked fine for the trip home to Pennsylvania from Michigan but I did replace it with a custom B&W wedge just to be safe. I also replaced all five "C" load rated tires with new "D's" in the same size.

I thought I read here somewhere that Rockwood was dropping the Reese Revolution and moving to using a different hitch manufacturer for these newer units?

NMWildcat · 12-24-2018, 01:45 PM

I take my Sidewinder apart once a year and grease with Lucas red-n-tacky. Probably overkill but I don't care. Same principal as the revolution but instead of a castellated nut on the bottom of the turret, it has four bolts on the top of the turret.

At four years I contacted them about new wear plates (mine had a few grooves worn in the bottom plate from debris) and they sent a whole set of new and improved bearings for free! Top, bottom, and turret. Very nice surprise.

This is my second sidewinder, first with airbag and shock (fifth airborne). In my opinion, it's the best method to deal with pulling a fiver with a 6' box pickup. Never any worries in tight turns, tracks closer to the truck, and can use a standard hitch, not the heavy, humongous sliders.

And when parked, it rotates out of the way. This also causes many conversations with folks who want to know what happened to my kingpin box

itat · 12-24-2018, 02:50 PM

Grapehound, they switched to the LCI knock-off called the Turning Point midway through the 2019 model year production. The 5er I’m getting is an early-2019 manufactured in April this year.

jtesta1 · 12-24-2018, 08:48 PM

I use a kurt Q20 old style frame mounted hitch.have an 8 foot bed with air suspension. Adjust to any height i need, adjustable to any ride comfort i need.

robsshots · 12-24-2018, 09:13 PM

You are incorrect in thinking a Reese hitch cannot tow your Sig ultralight. I have one and tow a fiver that weighs 9200 fully loaded. My RV dealer adjusted the hitch when I took delivery, and it works great. It's not the hitch that adjusts, it's the kingpin on your fiver that moves.

Grapehound · 12-24-2018, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itat

Grapehound, they switched to the LCI knock-off called the Turning Point midway through the 2019 model year production. The 5er I’m getting is an early-2019 manufactured in April this year.

Thank you for the clarification! I knew something changed.

itat · 12-24-2018, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robsshots

You are incorrect in thinking a Reese hitch cannot tow your Sig ultralight. I have one and tow a fiver that weighs 9200 fully loaded. My RV dealer adjusted the hitch when I took delivery, and it works great. It's not the hitch that adjusts, it's the kingpin on your fiver that moves.

I’m not sure where you read that I (or anyone on this thread) said a Reese hitch can’t tow the Rockwood Signature 5er I’m getting? No one on this thread said anything about a Reese hitch - just a Reese Revolution (or the aftermarket version called the Sidewinder) pinbox.

primo20 · 12-25-2018, 09:11 AM

For what it’s worth I have a b&w campanion hutch (slider version) and it has height adjustment on the hitch as well. I believe it was already stated, but the dealer should dial in your hitch when you take delivery. I’m on my third unit from the same dealer each time the delivery is a couple hour process. Hitch adjustment, walk through with lessons and a road test with the tech who set up the hitch.

JohnD10 · 12-25-2018, 09:54 AM

My Reese 16K Pro Slider hitch has adjustment bolts...

NMWildcat · 12-25-2018, 11:04 AM

Honestly, I've never seen either side of any fifth wheel hitch (RV/TV) that didn't have adjustments.

itat · 12-25-2018, 11:37 AM

Thanks for all the replies. I’ll set it up initially in the rearmost position horizontally and the middle height. The dealer can do whatever adjustments they need to do for my truck. I understand you need at least 6” clearance over the bed rails with the trailer sitting level?

I’ll ask them to check the lubrication on the Revolution pinbox when they do their PDI. It’s been sitting on their lot for 6-7 months.

5picker · 12-25-2018, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itat

Thanks for all the replies. I’ll set it up initially in the rearmost position horizontally and the middle height. The dealer can do whatever adjustments they need to do for my truck. I understand you need at least 6” clearance over the bed rails with the trailer sitting level?

I’ll ask them to check the lubrication on the Revolution pinbox when they do their PDI. It’s been sitting on their lot for 6-7 months.

Sounds like a plan.

As for the 6"... that is a good measurement to shoot for. I've gotten by with as little as 5" on two different trucks.

Grumpy7159 · 12-25-2018, 08:11 PM

I have the B&W Patriot 18k. I do not have a slider as my truck is a long box. I noticed that most new 5th wheel do not need the slider with a short box. The front cap is rounded for clearance. I started my hitch set up by leveling the trailer and measuring the distance from the king pin plate to the ground. I have a Teflon disk on my plate so I do not have to lube it. With the distance noted, I installed the rails according to the instructions for the hitch. Basically you put the bottom hitch assembly in the rails and measure the distance from the rear of the bed. Drill holes and bolt it down. There are frame brackets that must be mounted also. The rails work for a slider or a fixed hitch. Now comes the easy part. Park your truck on a flat surface an measure from the ground to the top surface of your truck bed. Subtract this measurement from the measurement you took on the trailer plate. Mount your hitch in the bed rails and adjust the height of the hitch plate to the difference you found earlier. This should be a good starting point to try your trailer. Good luck

JohnD10 · 12-26-2018, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy7159

I noticed that most new 5th wheel do not need the slider with a short box.

The front cap is rounded for clearance.

I have a short box and a newer 5'ver with the rounded 90-degree corners on the front...

And I still went with a slider hitch!

Even though I haven't used the slider yet, I'm glad I have it just in case.

Even with the 90-degree corners on the 5'ver, it still comes pretty close in tight spots.

I was in a campsite last summer where I almost needed to slide the hitch back to get around a tree.

Plus, I'd rather have it (slider) and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Grumpy7159 · 12-27-2018, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnD10

I have a short box and a newer 5'ver with the rounded 90-degree corners on the front...

And I still went with a slider hitch!

Even though I haven't used the slider yet, I'm glad I have it just in case.

Even with the 90-degree corners on the 5'ver, it still comes pretty close in tight spots.

I was in a campsite last summer where I almost needed to slide the hitch back to get around a tree.

Plus, I'd rather have it (slider) and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Probably good insurance with the short box. I often wondered how nice it would be to have the slider when I hit a dip in the back woods road. The slider is a little bit heavier than the hitch I have. It is better to have and not need it than wish you had it and not have it.

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