Which 5th Wheel Hitch is Better for My 2024 F-250 6 3/4' Bed OEM Prep the Curt E16 or B&W Companion?

Updated 10/22/2025 | Published 04/09/2025

Products Featured in This Question

B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(5039)

$1599.00

Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider for Ford Towing Prep Package - Slide Bar Jaw - 16,000 lbs

(608)

$1132.14

Question:

I have a 2024 Ford f250 short bed without the oem puck system. I need a 5th wheel sliding hitch. My installer is recommending a curt e16k hitch over a similar bandw hitch. Which is easier to operate?

asked by: Ron B

Expert Reply:

Hello Ron,

I am going to have to disagree with your installer. I wouldn't say that one is easier to operate over the other, with both the B&W and Curt you would need to get out and use the lever to slide the hitch. Both the Curt E16 # C16515-16020, and the B&W Companion # BWRVK3400-5W are a great fit for your 2024 Ford F-250 6 3/4' bed with OEM Prep Package. Let me break it down a little better:

The B&W Companion is considered one of the best 5th wheel hitches on the market. It's built like a tank using heavy-duty American steel, and it gives you a super smooth, quiet ride thanks to its fully articulating head and dual-jaw design that locks tightly around the kingpin. That means way less clunking and chucking when you're on the road.

Now, the Curt E16 is more of a budget-friendly, entry-level hitch. It does the job and is perfectly fine for folks who only tow occasionally. It uses a slide-bar jaw, which isn’t quite as tight or smooth as B&W’s dual-jaw setup, so you might notice more noise or movement, especially during starts and stops.

I know that the B&W is a little more pricey, but I have learned that you definitely get what you pay for in the towing world. Another reason why I am so team B&W is because they are a great American company, and if you ever have any issues they are going to get you taken care of! The owner goes above and beyond for his community. Please take a moment and look up on YouTube "NBC Special: B&W Helps Community," so you can see for yourself, it's a short 2 minute and 46 second video.

Not only does B&W make top-notch products, but they’re also genuinely good people and honestly, we could use more of that in this country. If your installer still disagrees, feel free to pass along their number, I’d be happy to have a little chat with them!

What kind of 5th wheel are you pulling? Got any big trips coming up?

expert reply by: Kate F

Kate F.

10/22/2025

Hey Ron, how did things turn out with the 5th wheel hitch for your F-250? Did you end up going with the B&W Companion or the Curt E16 your installer mentioned? Your experience could point others in the right direction when choosing between the two.