B&W Trailer Hitches will introduce its new 16,000-pound Patriot rail-mounted fifth wheel slider hitch at the upcoming 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
The Patriot 16K RVK3270 hitch complements B&W’s full line of hitches and is built for smooth, flawless and virtually inaudible operation, the company says. Unlocking the slider hitch is made effortless, even on irregular terrain, via the locking mechanism’s gear-reduced cam ratio design, which gives the user mechanical advantage.
The Patriot’s two, solid one-inch tubular steel carriage rails are designed with sturdy center supports that prevent the rails from deforming or binding as a result of flexing under load. Hourglass-shaped rollers convey the carriage mechanism with fluid motion, regardless of topography.
Once unlocked, the hitch is free to slide back into its maneuvering position and afterward, it glides up to its locked position just in front of the rear axle.
The new hitch accommodates 12 inches of slide and is perfect for popular short-bed pickup trucks that allow less travel distance to the cab, according to B&W. Vertical adjustments can be made from 17 inches to 19 inches, allowing ample clearance for taller truck-bed walls. The Patriot 16K slider will fit on all industry standard mounting rails.
The Patriot 16K slider is designed to be easy to engage and disengage a trailer, as well. Thanks to its cam-lock design and three-quarter-inch-thick wrap-around jaws, an operator can couple or uncouple any trailer, regardless of the lay of the land. Pivot arms feature tough polyurethane bushings that allow the engaged coupler head to pivot smoothly, and the fully articulating head is cushioned by an integrated leaf spring.
“The Patriot 16K rail-mounted fifth wheel slider hitch is an American-made alternative to the offshore-manufactured slider hitches that have proliferated in recent years,” says Travis McCall, product engineer for B&W Trailer Hitches. “Our hitch is engineered to operate as a finely tuned system, and we think users will be very impressed with the fit, finish, operation and overall ergonomics of our newest hitch design.”
The 16K Patriot RVK3270 rail-mounted fifth wheel slider hitch has been tested and meets or exceeds the J2638 standard for a 16,000-pound vehicle tow rating, according to the company.
The Patriot hitch can be purchased through members of B&W’s dealer network.
