7 Best B&W Heavy Duty 5th Wheel Hitch Rails For Large Fifth Wheels To Know

You’ve just picked up your dream fifth wheel—a 40-foot behemoth with all the comforts of home. But as you look at the back of your one-ton truck, the reality sets in: the connection between these two massive investments is a single hitch. Choosing the right one isn’t just about towing; it’s about safety, confidence, and protecting your truck, your rig, and everyone on the road with you. For heavy-duty applications, B&W has built a reputation on over-engineered, American-made systems that provide peace of mind, but navigating their options requires understanding your specific needs.

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Understanding B&W’s Heavy-Duty Hitch Systems

When we talk about B&W, we’re talking about a company that obsesses over steel, welds, and engineering. They don’t just build hitches; they build towing solutions. Their core philosophy revolves around two primary approaches: the Turnoverball under-bed gooseneck system and traditional above-bed rail-mounted hitches. This distinction is the most important thing to grasp.

The Turnoverball is their star player. It’s an under-bed mounting system that provides a completely clean, flat truck bed when you’re not towing. Many of their most popular fifth wheel hitches, like the Companion series, are designed to drop into this gooseneck receiver. In this case, the "rails" are actually the robust framework bolted directly to your truck’s frame, hidden completely out of sight.

The second approach involves more traditional "universal" or custom-fit rails that sit on top of the truck bed floor. These are what most people picture when they think of a fifth wheel hitch setup. B&W’s Patriot series hitches mount to these rails. Modern trucks have even added a third option: factory-installed "puck" systems, which B&W also supports with specific OEM hitches. Understanding which system your truck has—or which one you want to install—is the first step to choosing the right hitch.

B&W RVK3500 Companion for Turnoverball Mounts

If you have a long-bed truck and want a clean bed when you’re not hauling, this is your gold standard. The RVK3500 Companion isn’t a rail-mounted hitch in the traditional sense. Instead, it leverages the B&W Turnoverball under-bed gooseneck system as its anchor point. The entire hitch assembly drops into the gooseneck socket, secured by a single, heavy-duty pin.

The beauty of this system is its simplicity and strength. The base is a wide, sturdy platform that distributes the trailer’s pin weight across a large area of the truck bed, preventing the "cookie-cutter" effect that can damage beds. The fully articulating head pivots in every direction, which dramatically reduces the jarring and chucking you feel in the cab on rough roads. It makes for a smoother, more controlled ride.

With a 20,000-pound Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) rating, the RVK3500 is built for the majority of large fifth wheels on the market. When you’re done towing, you pull the pin, lift the hitch out in two manageable pieces, and you have your entire truck bed back. This is the primary reason people choose the Companion system over traditional rails.

B&W RVK3400 Companion Slider for Short Beds

Towing a large fifth wheel with a short-bed truck (typically 6.5-foot bed or shorter) introduces a major problem: clearance. During a tight turn, like backing into a campsite, the front cap of your RV can smash into the back of your truck’s cab. The RVK3400 Companion Slider is B&W’s brilliant solution to this very expensive problem.

Like its non-sliding counterpart, the RVK3400 uses the Turnoverball under-bed mount, giving you that coveted clean bed. The difference is the sliding mechanism built into the base. With the pull of a handle, the entire hitch head slides back 12 inches, creating the crucial space needed between your truck cab and the RV. You engage it for tight maneuvers and slide it forward for normal highway towing.

Some people worry that a slider hitch introduces more moving parts and potential for slop. B&W addresses this with tight tolerances and a robust locking mechanism, ensuring a solid connection in either position. If you have a short-bed truck and want to tow a modern fifth wheel with its wide, aerodynamic front cap, a slider isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. The RVK3400 provides this functionality without sacrificing the clean-bed benefit of the Companion system.

B&W Universal Mounting Rails for Custom Fits

This is the classic, old-school approach to mounting a fifth wheel hitch. The B&W Universal Mounting Rails are two heavy-gauge steel rails that bolt directly through your truck bed and into the frame. They are designed to be compatible with a wide range of hitches, including B&W’s own Patriot series and many other brands.

Why choose universal rails in a world of under-bed mounts? For one, they can be a more budget-friendly option. They are also incredibly versatile, allowing you to use different hitches if you change your setup down the road. If you buy a used truck that already has universal rails installed, you’re halfway there.

The significant tradeoff is the installation and the permanent nature of the system. Installing these rails requires drilling multiple holes through your truck bed and frame, a task that requires precision and nerve. Once installed, the rails remain in the bed permanently, which can be an obstacle when you need to haul plywood, furniture, or anything else that requires a flat surface. They are a simple, strong, and reliable foundation, but they lack the elegance and convenience of modern under-bed systems.

B&W Patriot 18K Hitch: A Rail-Mounted Classic

If you have universal rails in your truck—or plan to install them—the B&W Patriot 18K is your workhorse. This hitch is designed specifically to mount onto the standard rail system we just discussed. It offers many of the premium features of the Companion series but in a rail-mounted package.

The Patriot features a fully articulating head for a smoother ride and a cam-action latching handle that makes hooking up and unhooking easier and safer. You get a clear visual indication that the jaw is closed around the kingpin. With an 18,000-pound GTW rating, it’s more than capable for a wide range of fifth wheels. One of its best features is that it easily breaks down into two pieces, making it much easier for one person to install or remove from the truck bed.

Think of the Patriot as the reliable choice for the traditionalist. It’s a no-fuss, heavy-duty hitch that does its job exceptionally well. It’s the perfect solution for someone who already has rails or prefers the versatility of a standard rail mount.

B&W Custom Brackets for a No-Drill Install

Here’s where B&W offers a brilliant upgrade to the universal rail system. The biggest drawback of universal rails is the need to drill into your truck’s frame. B&W’s Custom Installation Brackets eliminate this problem entirely. These are vehicle-specific brackets designed to bolt into existing holes in your truck’s frame, provided by the manufacturer.

You use these custom brackets in combination with the B&W Universal Rails. The brackets mount to the frame without drilling, and the rails then bolt to the brackets from inside the bed. The result is a rock-solid installation that feels custom-fit but uses standard, above-bed rails. It gives you the strength of a direct-to-frame connection without the permanent modification of drilling.

This is a fantastic middle-ground solution. You get the versatility of standard rails, compatible with the Patriot hitch, but with a much cleaner, less invasive installation process. If you’re leaning toward a traditional rail setup but are hesitant to drill into your brand-new truck’s frame, these custom brackets are an absolute must-have.

B&W Companion OEM for Factory Puck Systems

Modern heavy-duty trucks from Ford, GM, and Ram often come with a factory-installed towing prep package, commonly known as a "puck system." You’ll see four mounting points (the pucks) and a center gooseneck socket built directly into the truck bed. The B&W Companion OEM is designed specifically to drop right into this system.

This is, without a doubt, the easiest and cleanest installation of all. The hitch has four quarter-turn anchors that lock directly into the truck’s pucks. There are no rails to install and no under-bed components to bolt on. You can install or remove the entire hitch in just a few minutes, leaving you with a nearly flat bed floor.

Because it leverages the truck manufacturer’s own integrated mounting points, you’re getting a system that’s been engineered and tested for your specific vehicle. B&W offers different Companion OEM models tailored to Ford, GM, and Ram puck systems, ensuring a perfect fit. If your truck came equipped with a factory puck system, this is the most logical, secure, and convenient choice for towing a heavy fifth wheel.

Choosing the Right B&W Rail Kit for Your Truck

Making the right choice comes down to a simple process of elimination based on your truck and your priorities. There isn’t one "best" system; there’s only the best system for you.

Start by answering these three questions:

1. What truck do you have? Does it have a factory puck system? Is it a short bed or a long bed?
2. What is your priority? Is a completely clean, flat bed a must-have, or are you okay with permanent rails?
3. What is your installation comfort level? Are you willing to drill into your frame, or do you want a no-drill, bolt-on solution?

Your answers will lead you directly to the right product.

• Have a factory puck system? Your answer is the B&W Companion OEM. It’s the simplest and most integrated solution.
• Have a short-bed truck without pucks? You need a slider. The Turnoverball mount with the RVK3400 Companion Slider is the premier choice for getting cab clearance and a clean bed.
• Have a long-bed truck and want a clean bed? The Turnoverball mount with the RVK3500 Companion is your go-to. It’s strong, simple, and disappears when you don’t need it.
• Prefer traditional rails or on a tighter budget? The Universal Mounting Rails with the Patriot 18K hitch is a solid, reliable combination. Strongly consider adding the Custom Brackets to make it a no-drill installation.

Ultimately, B&W’s lineup isn’t a confusing list of products but a decision tree. By starting with your truck and your needs, the path to the right heavy-duty hitch becomes clear.

The connection you choose is the foundation of your entire mobile setup. Investing in a high-quality, properly matched hitch system from a reputable manufacturer like B&W isn’t just an expense; it’s an investment in safety and confidence for every mile you travel. Make the right choice upfront, and you can focus on the adventure ahead, not what’s happening in your truck bed.