Will A 16K B&W Companion Ford For A 5th Wheel With UVW Of 7,876 lbs?

Updated 01/28/2026 | Published 08/19/2024

Products Featured in This Question

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

(760)

$799.00

B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs

(760)

$699.00

Question:

I am buying a new fifth wheel with a UVW of 7,876 lbs and a Curt Turning Point hitch. This will be towed with a 2012 F250 diesel with existing hitch rails. Will a 16k Companion Patriot hitch work for me or would you recommend the 18k?

asked by: John S

Expert Reply:

Hello John. It sounds like the 16K B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Hitch # BWRVK3200 will be more than sufficient for your camper. You will want to confirm the gross weight of your camper, but with the unloaded weight being only 7,876, the gross weight should be nowhere near 16K. As long as the GVWR is less than 16K, the Patriot hitch will work great for you. The 18K version part # BWRVK3255 is available, but the additional capacity really should not be needed.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Jesse M.

1/27/2026

Hey John, how did things turn out with the 16K Patriot hitch for your fifth wheel and F250 setup? Did it give you the towing confidence you were looking for? Your update could make it easier for others choosing between the 16K and 18K models.

John S.

1/27/2026

@JesseM We LOVE the 16K Patriot hitch. Our previous 5er had a standard pin box and we used a Pullright SuperGlide hitch. With that setup, we often struggled to unhitch because the jaws wouldn't open until the pin was not exerting horizontal pressure on the jaws. The Patriot hitch's jaws open every time with no repositioning. That has greatly improved our RV experience.

Jesse M.

1/28/2026

@JohnS Hey John, that's great to hear! Glad to hear the Patriot hitch is working out for you. In my experience with the B&W hitches, the Jaws and slider mechanisms are super smooth and easy to operate. Way better than some other hitch brands in that regard. Thanks again for taking the time to share your feedback!