Comparing the B&W Companion and Curt E16 5th Wheel Hitches for a 2016 F-350 W/ B&W Gooseneck Hitch

Updated 07/26/2017 | Published 07/25/2017

Products Featured in This Question

B&W Companion Slider Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(580)

$1599.00

Curt X5 5th Wheel Base Rails Adapter for B&W Turnoverball Gooseneck Trailer Hitches - 20,000 lbs

(278)

$749.95

B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch w/ Custom Installation Kit - 30,000 lbs

(4448)

$599.00

Curt 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Custom Wiring Harness w/ 7-Pole Connector - 10' Long

(232)

$137.95

Question:

I have a 2016 Ford F350 short bed with a BandW turnball installed. I also have a Curt X5 16310 adapter. My 5th wheel tops at 15K. Since I need a sliding hitch I am tossed between the Companion or the Curt E16 slider. Any suggestions?

asked by: Dennis

Expert Reply:

I highly recommend going with the B&W Companion Slider # BWRVK3400 over using the Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Roller # 16516 with the Curt X5 5th Wheel Base Rails Adapter # 16310.

For starters, by using the Companion you will only have one attachment point; where the B&W Companion connects to the B&W Underbed Gooseneck Hitch # BWGNRK1111. This will give you a much more secure connection over using a system that will require more points of attachment. By using the Curt system you will be attaching the Curt sliding hitch to an adapter which, in turn, will connect to the Gooseneck hitch.

The second point I would like to add is the quality of the hitch head. The Companion uses a dual-jaw design which helps to provide 360 degrees of jaw-to-king-pin contact which will help to reduce chucking and jarring when taking off and coming to a stop. The E16, on the other hand, just uses a slide bar and tensioner that basically just keeps the king pin in the hitch head. The E16 is very much an entry-level hitch. You will experience a much better ride quality with the Companion.

The only thing that the E16 seems to have on the Companion is weight. The Companion weighs about 280 lbs while the E16 weighs in at about 170 lbs. Although this might seem like a negative thing, it just goes to show how well made and heavy duty the Companion is. Another thing to think about is that the X5 adapter weighs around 100 lbs so you will ultimately be moving about the same amount of weight when installing and removing either hitch. You can actually take the head off of the Companion to make installing and removing it easier.

The Companion will last longer and will give you a much better ride quality. Because of this I highly recommend it over the E16.

If you do not already have a 7-Way connector in the bed of your 2016 Ford F-350 then I also recommend installing the Curt # C56000 as well to make connecting and disconnecting your trailer much quicker and easier.

I have attached some videos for you to check out as well.