After years of reliable—though increasingly worn—service from their Reese 27K fifth-wheel hitch, Chad and Tara from Changing Lanes finally decided to try out the B&W Companion 25K.
They’d been eyeing this highly regarded hitch for a while, frequently seeing it in good shape at campgrounds. Their Reese started showing its age, and Changing Lanes faced a hitch failure. Come along with us as we follow them through this mishap!
A Long-Awaited Upgrade
While functional, the Reese hitch had developed rust, worn-down rubber handles (one of which had to be replaced twice), and even a slightly bent handle from a sharp turn.
Since 2020, Chad and Tara had put thousands of miles on the Reese without any major failures—until one morning when everything went wrong.
HOT TIP
If you’re looking for more on Changing Lanes, check out how they Inspired a New Floor Plan for Grand Design!
A Hitching Disaster
Chad and Tara were set to leave for the Grand Design National Rally, but when Chad tried to hitch up, the Reese refused to cooperate.
- His first attempt failed because the kingpin was too high.
- On his second attempt, the hitch wouldn’t fully latch.
- He then realized the hitch was in locked mode—despite never fully receiving the pin.
Trying to fix it, he pulled the handle to reset the hitch, but it was completely stuck. It took a lot of force to finally move it.
Thinking he had solved the issue, he hitched up again, only for the jaws to close partially. When he attempted to unhitch, the RV was stuck.
Confused, Chad suspected he had made a mistake while lubricating the hitch the day before, possibly leaving it in the locked position. But when he reviewed footage of the process, he realized that he hadn’t made an error—the hitch had somehow reset itself into the locked position on its own.
With that, he knew the hitch was no longer reliable.
Finding a Replacement
Stranded and unable to tow, Chad reached out to Bob Perciaccante, the wagon master for the rally, who got in touch with Grand Design’s Service Response Team (SRT).
Chris, a service expert, had seen similar Reese failures before and offered some simple advice:
“Smack the heck out of that thing until it finally pops.”
With a 2×4 and a sledgehammer, Chad finally freed the hitch. But by then, he knew it was time for a replacement.
The hitch he wanted, the B&W 25K Companion, wasn’t easy to find quickly. To stay on schedule, Chad chose to drive six hours to pick it up.
Installing the B&W Companion
Chad wasted no time installing the new hitch and shared a few important tips for others making the switch:
- Measure the height of your old hitch before removing it. He didn’t and had to dig his old hitch out of the trash to check.
- Assemble the base with the arms before putting it in the truck. Trying to attach the arms inside the truck bed is much harder.
- Adjust the puck system fitment properly. The locks should be snug, but not overtightened to avoid unnecessary pressure.
- Double-check the height setting. Chad originally set it too high and had to readjust it later.
How the B&W Compares
After a few towing trips with the B&W Companion, Chad immediately noticed several advantages over the Reese:
- Made in the USA with high-quality steel
- One-piece machined jaws for a secure, tight grip
- Smoother towing with no chucking or bouncing
- Shock-absorbing dampeners to prevent excessive movement
- A lower-profile handle that won’t get hit by the pin box
- Simplified maintenance—only one grease fitting needed
Perhaps the biggest difference? Hitching and unhitching were now effortless.
The Most Important Fifth-Wheel Tip
Chad ended the video with one final piece of critical advice for all fifth-wheel owners: Always do a pull test before driving.
Even if a hitch claims to be fail-proof, mistakes and malfunctions can happen. A simple pull test ensures the hitch is locked in place, preventing catastrophic damage to the truck, RV, or even personal injury.
Now, back on the road with a new and improved hitch, Chad and Tara are ready for their next adventure. Want to see how the B&W Companion performs? Subscribe to Changing Lanes and stay tuned!
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