Comparing Curt A16 and Q16 Fifth Wheel Hitches

Updated 03/02/2026 | Published 01/09/2019

Question:

What is the difference between the Curt A16 and the Q16 hitch head?

asked by: Kevin Y

Expert Reply:

The head design is slightly different for the A16 hitch # C16120. It's the more recent version of the Q16 that you also mentioned. They made the heads strong enough to be able to be used with a Sidewinder pin box and they upgraded the warranty from 10 year limited to lifetime limited. Also, the Q16 features the 360-degree movement with the spherical axial bearing to improve the pivoting of the hitch head. Another change is the A series jaws overlap whereas the Q series butt up against each other more than overlap. This allows the A Series to have better king pin contact.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Steve L.

2/27/2026

I asked the same question to Curt directly and was told that the only difference is the A16 or Q16 sticker. I have also seen pictures of a Q16 with rubber torsion pivoting head and overlap jaws. I wonder if there were earlier versions that have the features you describe or maybe the Q20 and higher capacity units, but Curt may be tired of being asked the same question in a different way. Thanks, Steve

Jameson C.

3/2/2026

@SteveL The jaws are very different between the A and Q series. I am actually curious who you talked to at Curt because that is definitely not true haha.

Steve L.

3/2/2026

@JamesonC I have pictures of Q16 with overlapping jaws just like the A16 but unable to paste here. Here is the email response from Mike at Curt: Steve, Again, there is no difference between the Q16 and A16 other than a sticker change. The larger Q series hitches are completely different than the A series hitches yes. But when the Q16 came out it was the predecessor to all A series hitches, we then simply changed the sticker on the Q16 to say A16. Mike F. Curt Group Tech Agent P: 877.287.8634 E: [email protected] Website: www.curtmfg.com

Jameson C.

3/2/2026

@SteveL We had a Q16 in our show room for a long time and it had the jaws that just met each other in the middle and then the A16 came out and they jaws interlocked like you noticed. This was a big deal at the time as the Q16 couldn't be used with any pivoting pin boxes whereas the A16 was a redesign to allow for that.