How we made this guide: picks and specs come from our catalog and fitment data, owner quotes come from verified reviews and every guide is checked and edited by Trevor Hall.
The main trailer hitch types are the receiver hitch with a ball mount, the gooseneck hitch, the fifth wheel hitch and the weight distribution system that works with a receiver, plus bumper and pintle hitches. We carry B&W gooseneck hitches (from $599), fifth wheel hitches (from $699), Tow & Stow ball mounts (from $309) and Continuum weight distribution hitches (from $1,299), and we sell no receiver hitches.
The trailer picks the type. A bumper-pull trailer hangs from a ball at the back of the truck, a gooseneck trailer from a ball in the bed and a fifth wheel trailer from a king pin that locks into a bed-mounted hitch. Browse the full B&W trailer hitch range or all towing hitches.
| Type | Where it mounts | What it tows | Ratings in our range | What we carry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receiver hitch with ball mount | Square receiver tube on the truck | Bumper-pull trailers | Tow & Stow on the 2-5/16" ball: 10,000 lb GTW and 1,000 lb tongue weight on a 2" shank; 18,000 lb and 1,800 lb on a 2-1/2" shank; 21,000 lb and 2,100 lb on a 3" shank | Ball mounts from $309. No receiver hitches |
| Weight distribution system | Head in the receiver, spring bars to the trailer frame | Heavier bumper-pull trailers | Continuum: up to 16,000 lb GTW and 600 to 1,600 lb tongue weight | Continuum kits for standard and underslung couplers, 2" or 2-1/2" shank, from $1,299 |
| Gooseneck hitch | Ball in the bed floor on an under-bed frame kit | Gooseneck trailers | Turnoverball kits: 30,000 lb GTW and 7,500 lb vertical load with the 2-5/16" ball | Gooseneck kits, all under $700 |
| Fifth wheel hitch | Factory bed pucks, fifth wheel rails or a B&W Turnoverball (single point) | Fifth wheel trailers with a king pin | Companion: 20,000 lb GTW and 5,000 lb pin weight, or 25,000 lb and 6,250 lb on 25K and flatbed models. Patriot: 16,000 lb and 4,000 lb (16K) or 18,000 lb and 4,500 lb (18K) | Companion (puck-mount fixed and slider, single point and flatbed) and Patriot, from $699 to under $1,700 |
| Bumper and pintle hitches | At the bumper, or a pintle hook on the truck | Trailers built for them | We list none | None |
GTW is gross trailer weight. Your truck's own rating still caps each figure.
Receiver hitches and ball mounts
A receiver hitch is a square tube fixed to the truck. A ball mount slides in and pins in place, and the trailer's coupler sits on the ball. We sell no receiver hitches, so we cannot supply the tube. We do carry what goes in it: B&W Tow & Stow adjustable ball mounts, listed with 2 inch, 2-1/2 inch and 3 inch shanks. The one shown here, TS10037C, has a 2 inch shank, a 5 inch drop and a swing arm that carries 2 inch and 2-5/16 inch balls.
On that 2 inch shank the ratings follow the ball in use: 10,000 lb gross trailer weight and 1,000 lb tongue weight with the 2-5/16 inch ball, and 7,500 lb and 750 lb with the 2 inch ball. A bigger shank raises the 2-5/16 inch figure: 18,000 lb and 1,800 lb on a 2-1/2 inch shank, 21,000 lb and 2,100 lb on a 3 inch shank. The 2 inch ball stays at 7,500 lb.
Ball mount
B&W Tow & Stow Adjustable Ball Mount, 2" Shank, 5" Drop, Dual Ball 2" x 2-5/16", Chrome (TS10037C)
From $329 · Adjustable mount for a 2 inch receiver, with 2 inch and 2-5/16 inch balls.
B&W's video shows how to measure your receiver and the drop you need before you pick a Tow & Stow.
Tow & Stow owners rate the line 4.9 out of 5, and the 200 reviews on file cover every Tow & Stow, not only this part. One mentions rust spots after a month, one mentions noise and one says the locks should come with it rather than being bought separately.
“I can adjust the height in seconds with just a pull of two pins.”
B&W Tow & Stow Adjustable Ball Mount, 2" Shank, 5" Drop, Dual Ball 2" x 2-5/16", Chrome (TS10037C) owner · 5 out of 5 stars
Skip this one if your receiver is not 2 inch or you need a different drop. Tow & Stow mounts are also listed with 2-1/2 inch and 3 inch shanks, drops from 2-1/2 to 9 inches and tri-ball heads that add a 1-7/8 inch ball.
Receiver hitch classes: Class 3 vs Class 4 and the rest
Receiver hitches are sorted into classes by how much trailer they are rated to pull. Hitch makers publish the classes on their own charts. The figures below are typical, and they vary a little by maker. SAE J684, the SAE standard for trailer hitches, couplings and safety chains, covers trailers up to 10,000 lb.
| Class | Gross trailer weight | Tongue weight | Receiver tube |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 (I) | Up to 2,000 lb | Up to 200 lb | 1-1/4" |
| Class 2 (II) | Up to 3,500 lb | About 350 lb | 1-1/4" |
| Class 3 (III) | Up to about 8,000 lb | Up to about 800 lb | 2" |
| Class 4 (IV) | Up to 10,000 lb | Up to 1,000 lb | 2" |
| Class 5 (V) | About 16,000 to 17,000 lb on a 2" tube, 20,000 lb or more on a 2-1/2" tube | About 2,400 to 2,700 lb | 2" or 2-1/2" |
Classes 3 and 4 share the same 2 inch tube, so the difference between a Class 3 and a Class 4 hitch is the rating, up to about 8,000 lb against up to 10,000 lb on those charts, not the size of the opening. Trust the rating on the hitch itself over the class name. Many receivers carry a second, higher rating for use with a weight distribution system, so read both figures on the label.
We assign no class to anything we carry. The Tow & Stow is rated in pounds by shank and ball size, and your truck's receiver has its own rating too.
Weight distribution hitches
A weight distribution system is not a separate mount. It works with a receiver hitch, using spring bars that run from a head in the receiver to brackets on the trailer frame. B&W's Continuum uses tapered composite spring bars and a hydraulic hand pump. You pump the handle from the driver's side to move weight onto the front axle and read the result on a pressure gauge.
The kit shown has a 2 inch shank and a 2-5/16 inch ball. It is rated up to 16,000 lb gross trailer weight, with friction sway prevention that stays on because the bars stay loaded.
Weight distribution
B&W Continuum Weight Distribution Hitch, 2" Shank, 2-5/16" Ball, Standard Coupler (WDHK4500)
From $1,299 · Standard-coupler kit for a 2 inch receiver, with a hydraulic pump and gauge.
Match the kit to your trailer's coupler and your receiver: we list Continuum kits for standard and underslung couplers, each with a 2 inch or 2-1/2 inch shank. Skip the Continuum if your trailer's tongue weight falls outside 600 to 1,600 lb, the range its one set of spring bars covers, or its A-frame has a center rail.
Gooseneck hitches
A gooseneck hitch puts the ball in the truck bed. The B&W Turnoverball is an under-bed kit that needs a 4 inch round hole in the bed floor. The F-150 kit bolts to existing frame holes with no drilling or welding, but a few Turnoverball kits for other trucks need holes drilled in the frame, so read the listing for yours.
The F-150 kit is rated 30,000 lb gross trailer weight and 7,500 lb vertical tongue weight with the 2-5/16 inch ball. On a half-ton such as the F-150, the truck's own towing and payload ratings set the limit, not the hitch's 30,000 lb. The listing says the kit accepts B&W's single point Companion and Companion Slider fifth wheel hitches. Its listing excludes the F-150 Tremor, Lightning and Raptor, the 2019 to 2020 Limited and trucks with dual exhaust.
Gooseneck
B&W Turnoverball Gooseneck Hitch, 2015-2026 Ford F150, 2-5/16" Ball (GNRK1121)
From $599 · Under-bed gooseneck kit for most 2015 to 2026 Ford F-150 trucks, with a 2-5/16 inch ball.
B&W's Turnoverball kits share 62 owner reviews on file, averaging 4.9 stars. The one 1-star review is from a 2017 Nissan Titan owner whose kit did not fit, so match the kit to your truck's exact year and model before you order.
“Installed as directed by instructions along with helpful video with minimal Complications. Be aware of the wiring along frame as it will chafe if not addressed properly.”
B&W Turnoverball Gooseneck Hitch, 2015-2026 Ford F150, 2-5/16" Ball (GNRK1121) owner · 5 out of 5 stars
That owner's warning about wiring along the frame is worth reading before you start, and so is how to install a gooseneck hitch. For kits truck by truck, see the best gooseneck hitch for your truck. Skip the Turnoverball if your truck is not on its fit table.
Fifth wheel hitches: puck, slider, single point and rail-mounted
A fifth wheel hitch mounts in the bed and closes its jaws around the trailer's king pin. B&W's Companion and Patriot differ in how they mount. Puck-mount Companions are listed for Ford, Ram and GM factory puck systems (GM by model year), rated 20,000 lb or 25,000 lb, and single point Companions mount on a B&W Turnoverball under-bed system. The Patriot also comes as a 16K, rated 16,000 lb with 4,000 lb pin weight, from $699.
Companion: fixed base on Ford factory pucks
The Companion 20K is rated 20,000 lb gross trailer weight and 5,000 lb pin weight. It drops into the four bed pucks of Ford's factory fifth wheel prep package, needs no rails and is listed for the Ford Super Duty.
Fifth wheel, fixed
From $1,199 · For Ford trucks with the four-puck prep package. No rails needed.
Skip this Ford version if your truck has Ram or GM pucks: pick the Companion built for those, or a single point Companion if you already run a Turnoverball.
Companion Slider: 12 inches of travel
The slider has the same ratings and the same puck mounting, on a base that slides 12 inches. A slider matters when the trailer's nose could meet the back of the cab in a tight turn, and B&W's video below shows how to work out how much room you need. Its shipping weight is about 305 lb, against about 148 lb for the fixed base.
Fifth wheel, slider
From $1,699 · Adds 12 inches of base travel for turning clearance on Ford pucks.
Skip it if your trailer clears the cab in turns. The fixed Companion carries the same ratings from $1,199.
Patriot: rail-mounted
The Patriot 18K is rated 18,000 lb gross trailer weight and 4,500 lb pin weight. It pins into industry-standard fifth wheel rails, which are sold separately, so the truck needs rails in the bed.
Fifth wheel, rail-mounted
From $799 · Pins into industry-standard fifth wheel rails, which are sold separately.
All four Patriot reviews on file are 5 stars. One says a hole did not line up on the owner's rails, so check your rails before you order. Another found it far easier to lift in and out than a previous hitch, though at about 138 lb shipping weight it is still a lift.
“The weight of the hitch is awesome and very manageable to take out and put in my other hitch weighted twice as much and a two person job to put in”
B&W Patriot 18K Rail-Mounted Fifth Wheel Hitch, 18,000 lb GTW, 4,500 lb Pin Weight, Powder Coat (RVK3255) owner · 5 out of 5 stars
Skip it if you do not want to add rails.
What is the strongest type of hitch?
Strength is a rating, not a type. In our range the gooseneck is rated highest: every B&W Turnoverball kit is rated 30,000 lb with its 2-5/16 inch ball, and the listings name a B&W 3 inch ball, sold separately, for loads over 30,000 lb. Next come the Companion 25K fifth wheel at 25,000 lb, the Tow & Stow with a 3 inch shank at 21,000 lb, the Companion 20K at 20,000 lb, the Patriot 18K at 18,000 lb and the Continuum at up to 16,000 lb. A ball mount is only as strong as the receiver it sits in, so the receiver's own rating caps it.
The weight on the hitch separates the types more clearly. The listed vertical load is 10% of the trailer weight rating on every Tow & Stow, 2,100 lb at most, and 25% on the Turnoverball, Companion and Patriot, up to 7,500 lb. Those are the hitch's ratings, not what your trailer puts on it, so check your trailer's real figure.
How to choose a hitch type
- Start with the trailer's coupler. A ball coupler means a receiver and ball mount, a gooseneck coupler means a bed ball and a king pin means a fifth wheel hitch.
- Add up the weights. The trailer's gross weight and the weight on the hitch must sit under the hitch rating, the receiver or rail rating and your truck's own ratings.
- Check your truck. Puck-mount Companions are built for Ford, Ram or GM factory pucks, single point Companions mount on a B&W Turnoverball, the Patriot needs fifth wheel rails, the Turnoverball is listed truck by truck and a Tow & Stow must match your receiver (2, 2-1/2 or 3 inch).
- Think about bed space. A receiver ball mount leaves the bed alone, while gooseneck and fifth wheel hitches live in it.
- Ask whether the trailer needs weight distribution. Start with your tow vehicle's owner's manual.
Still weighing two trailer styles? Read gooseneck vs bumper pull for the comparison.
Hitch care: keep the pins and posts moving
A 3-star Tow & Stow owner found the folded pins and ball arm stuck after months unused on dusty, muddy roads, so pull the pins and swing the arm now and then. B&W's maintenance video for the Turnoverball shows where to grease the square post and how to look after the latch spring.
Towing safety: the lowest rating wins
A towing setup is only as strong as its lowest rating. Never exceed the truck maker's ratings, which are in the owner's manual and on the door sticker.
Fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers put real weight straight down on the bed, so compare the vertical figure with your truck's payload as well as its towing rating. As a rough guide, a fifth wheel puts about 20% of the trailer's weight straight down on the truck. We list no truck's towing capacity here, because only the maker's figure for your exact truck counts.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three basic kinds of hitches?
On a pickup they are a receiver hitch at the back of the truck, a gooseneck hitch in the bed and a fifth wheel hitch in the bed. A weight distribution system adds to a receiver hitch.
What is the strongest hitch type?
In our range it is the gooseneck: every B&W Turnoverball kit is rated 30,000 lb gross trailer weight and 7,500 lb vertical load with its 2-5/16 inch ball. The strongest fifth wheel we carry, the Companion 25K, is rated 25,000 lb, and the strongest Tow & Stow, on a 3 inch shank, 21,000 lb. Your truck's own ratings still cap every one of them.
What type of hitch is best for towing?
The one that matches your trailer's coupler, has ratings above the trailer's weights and stays inside your truck's limits. Start with the coupler: ball, gooseneck or king pin.
What is the difference between a Class 3 and Class 4 trailer hitch?
Both use a 2 inch receiver. Hitch makers' class charts usually put Class 3 at up to about 8,000 lb gross trailer weight and 800 lb tongue weight, and Class 4 at up to 10,000 lb and 1,000 lb. The rating differs, not the opening, so read the rating on the hitch.
What is the difference between Class 1, 2 and 3 trailer hitches?
On hitch makers' class charts, Class 1 is up to 2,000 lb and Class 2 up to 3,500 lb, both on a 1-1/4 inch receiver. Class 3 moves to a 2 inch receiver and up to about 8,000 lb.
Do you sell receiver hitches?
No. We carry B&W Tow & Stow ball mounts for 2, 2-1/2 and 3 inch receivers, plus weight distribution, gooseneck and fifth wheel hitches. Browse B&W trailer hitches for the full range.
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