New trailer hitch

[shrtmem]

Hi all,

My husband and I are getting up there in years. We have a Keystone Cougar that I like but taking the hitch from the truck when we set it is becoming an issue for my husband. The hitch is very heavy. Has anyone had any experience with B&W two and stow hitches? When you aren't using the hitch, it folds up under your truck.
Thanks
https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/pro...tipro-tow-stow

[JRTJH]

You'd have to confirm with B&W, but I think that "folding ball/shank stinger" is intended to be used with the new folding tailgates. It's designed to fold under the truck to prevent "dinging the tailgate step". It is only compatible with a weight carrying ball assembly, not with a weight distributing hitch head.

In short, I don't think it's compatible with any weight distributing hitch.

[Mmeyer]

Have you looked at a Reese goose box ?

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Mmeyer

Have you looked at a Reese goose box ?

A Reese Goose Box for a "bumper hitch trailer" ???

[sourdough]

I don't believe that hitch is going to work as a wdh for a travel trailer. What kind of hitch do you currently have and which part is difficult to manage? The shank I assume?

There are some ways to minimize the effort; I've gone thru a few attempts to make the process easier after various surgeries then falling down a mountain, breaking both bicep tendons and tearing up both rotator cuffs. Picking up and carrying the shank was an issue. I'm not aware of a "lightweight" wdh with the exception of the Andersen, which uses chains, but I don't know what the shank weighs. It does appear to have a lot less steel in it than the Equalizer I used.

[chuckster57]

I would look into the Anderson. Has WD and is light weight.

[shrtmem]

Originally Posted by sourdough

I don't believe that hitch is going to work as a wdh for a travel trailer. What kind of hitch do you currently have and which part is difficult to manage? The shank I assume?

There are some ways to minimize the effort; I've gone thru a few attempts to make the process easier after various surgeries then falling down a mountain, breaking both bicep tendons and tearing up both rotator cuffs. Picking up and carrying the shank was an issue. I'm not aware of a "lightweight" wdh with the exception of the Andersen, which uses chains, but I don't know what the shank weighs. It does appear to have a lot less steel in it than the Equalizer I used.

Yes, that's the part. We talk about getting something lighter in weight but then you lose some strength of the hitch. The hitch came with our first trailer in 2007 and it isn't made anymore.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by shrtmem

Yes, that's the part. We talk about getting something lighter in weight but then you lose some strength of the hitch. The hitch came with our first trailer in 2007 and it isn't made anymore.

I'm thinking the options would be 1) look into the "hitch grip" handle to help carry it, 2) build that cart so that it comes out and just sits on the cart until next use (might even use the hitch grip with that) or 3) look into the Andersen hitch. By all accounts it is much lighter than the regular heavy hitches with built in sway control. IMO (for the 2 cents it's worth) the Andersen would probably be the best answer but also more expensive.

[Mmeyer]

Ha sorry guys maybe I should read a little better lol

[notanlines]

Mmeyer, very few regulars here have posted error-free. Welcome to the club.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Mmeyer

Ha sorry guys maybe I should read a little better lol

As said earlier, not a one of us has an "error free post record"... We all make mistakes, read more into or less into a post than is in the post....

That said, my concern is a scenario where someone posts a question like this one, gets a response to "look at the Reese goose box" and the poster reads that response and turns to her husband and says, "Keystone said to use a Reese goose box"... So, he gets online and orders one..... When it arrives, he finds out it's for a fifth wheel, not his trailer..... YIKES !!!!!

That was my only reason for making the post I did....

[hornet28]

Instead of carrying it use a small cart and roll it where you want it

[shrtmem]

Originally Posted by hornet28

Instead of carrying it use a small cart and roll it where you want it

I've thought about that. And suggested he come up with something like that. He likes to build stuff.

[Cracker]

Originally Posted by hornet28

Instead of carrying it use a small cart and roll it where you want it

That would be my suggestion. No need to take it off the truck when you're on the road. Buy a "Little Red Wagon" like the children play with. A 27' cougar was our last trailer before we switched to a Class B+. At 82 years old we were experiencing the same problems, along with bending down to set the trailer jacks - but we're still traveling and enjoying RVing! Trying to mount a 15 hp outboard on my aluminum boat was the last straw - and my back will never be the same!

[shrtmem]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

As said earlier, not a one of us has an "error free post record"... We all make mistakes, read more into or less into a post than is in the post....

That said, my concern is a scenario where someone posts a question like this one, gets a response to "look at the Reese goose box" and the poster reads that response and turns to her husband and says, "Keystone said to use a Reese goose box"... So, he gets online and orders one..... When it arrives, he finds out it's for a fifth wheel, not his trailer..... YIKES !!!!!

That was my only reason for making the post I did....

Hee hee, then we would have to buy a new fifth wheel!

[rlh1957]

Reese goose box is for fifth wheel unless something new just came out!

[sourdough]

Your trailer is 9k gvw and a bumper pull (to eliminate the confusion about a goosebox).

I've never used the Andersen for a bumper pull and have questioned how the poly bushings would hold up over time BUT in your case it just might be the answer.

https://www.amazon.com/3324-Andersen...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Looks like it weighs 51.9lbs. Realize that will primarily be in the shank and ball but still likely considerably less that working with something like an Equalizer. If you use a cart, the hitch grip or whatever you will still have to manage the weight of the existing hitch shank/ball. The link I posted is to Amazon but there are lots of sellers of that hitch so look around for best pricing and shipping if you decide to go that route. Lots of videos showing the installation as well.

[Mr Mojo]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Your trailer is 9k gvw and a bumper pull (to eliminate the confusion about a goosebox).

I've never used the Andersen for a bumper pull and have questioned how the poly bushings would hold up over time BUT in your case it just might be the answer.


Looks like it weighs 51.9lbs.

My Equalizer weighs 56 lbs.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Mr Mojo

My Equalizer weighs 56 lbs.

My quote you quoted where I said it looked like the Andersen weighed 51.9lbs. came from the specs on Amazon (total weight of all parts of the Andersen). I believe someone posted the Andersen hitch "head" weighed somewhere in the range of 20lb. On the other hand your Equalizer "head" weighs 56 lbs. (mine says 57). You have forgotten the bars (heavy) and brackets which will run the total weight to 100+ comparing apples to apples.

[wiredgeorge]

That Tow & Stow is made to use with a Chevy truck tail gate that has a step built in. I think it would have to be removed if you intent is not to leave the hitch connected to the receiver. The guy on youtube that reviewed that hitch wasn't comfortable about using the step with the 2 5/8" ball deployed because they had engineered an insufficient clearance with the tail gate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGttFzA1oXY

While this hitch is heavy and in excess of 30 lbs, it appears it can be rotated behind the drop bar. You will still have the drop bar sticking out behind the bumper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_XZHVNG76Y