Does Adjusting B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Hitch Affect Towing Performance on 2018 Chevy Silverado 2500

Updated 04/26/2019 | Published 04/25/2019

Products Featured in This Question

B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 18,000 lbs

(716)

$799.00

5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness w/ 7-Pole Plug - GM, Ford, Ram, Toyota - 9' Long

(692)

$107.94

B&W Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches

(90)

$260.00

Question:

Thinking about purchasing this hitch - how do you determine the amount of set back for the hitch - it says it can be 0 - 2 or 4 inches. Is it just personal preference and does it have any effect on towing characteristics? It would be going on a 2018 Chevy 2500HD.

asked by: Scott N

Helpful Expert Reply:

You have made a good decision thinking about using the B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # BWRVK3255 on your 2018 Chevy Silverado 2500 and the ability to adjust it front-to-back will not affect its towing characteristics.

This hitch adjusts to give you optimal positioning to make turns, and there is actually a formula you can use to help you determine if you can make a full 90 degree turn, which you an see below. It is recommended that you have at least 4 inches of clearance in order to make a full 90 degree turn.

(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from the fifth wheel jaw center to the truck cab
B = Offset used (slider clearance or Sidewinder offset)
C = Width of the nose of the trailer divided by 2

In this formula if you adjusted the Patriot fore or aft, "A" would be affected by up to 4 inches ("B" would be zero unless you are using a Sidewinder because this is a fixed hitch).

Overall, the B&W Patriot # BWRVK3255 is going to give you an improved ride over other fifth wheel hitches because of its powerful dual jaws which are 3/4" thick and wrap totally around your king pin, meaning there will be less back and forth movement of the king pin in these jaws than other hitches with inferior jaw systems. It also has cushioned bushings to minimize the noise often experienced with fifth wheel towing, is made in the USA and comes with a lifetime warranty, which speaks to its durability.

To install the Patriot in your '18 Silverado 2500 I recommend the B&W Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails # BWRVK2506 because it will not require drilling in the frame of your Chevy to install, which is good for your truck and will cut the installation time down significantly.

If you need a fifth wheel wiring harness I recommend the 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Wiring Harness 7-Pole # 50-97-410.

I have added links to video reviews of these products for you to check out as well.