B&W Patriot 18K
A strong pick for long bed trucks on standard rails pulling fifth wheels up to 18,000 lb, with a smooth, quiet coupler and a lifetime warranty.
B&W Trailer Hitches $899 etrailer $899$899
The B&W Patriot 18K is the better fifth wheel hitch overall, rated 3.9 to 3.7. The B&W Patriot 18K leads on capacity and price. The CURT A16 Slider wins on features. The B&W Patriot 18K costs $349.59 less ($899 vs $1,248.59).
CURT A16 Slider
The CURT A16 for short bed trucks, with a manual slider that keeps the trailer clear of the cab in tight turns. Good for fifth wheels up to 16,000 lb.
Amazon $1,248.59$1,248.59
Prices were last checked November 2, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the B&W Patriot 18K for capacity (18,000 lb gross trailer weight vs 16,000 lb gross trailer weight) and price ($899 vs $1,248.59).
- Choose the CURT A16 Slider for features (full articulation, adjustable height, short bed ready, lockable vs full articulation, adjustable height, lockable).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every up to 20,000 lb fifth wheel hitch; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | B&W Patriot 18K | CURT A16 Slider |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.9/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Price 25% | 58 $899 | 34 $1,248.59 |
| Capacity 20% | 60 18,000 lb gross trailer weight | 20 16,000 lb gross trailer weight |
| Weight 15% | 50 hitch weight not published (neutral score used) | 72 84 lb head |
| Features 20% | 75 full articulation, adjustable height, lockable | 100 full articulation, adjustable height, short bed ready, lockable |
| Warranty 20% | 100 limited lifetime warranty | 100 limited lifetime warranty |
Specifications
| B&W Patriot 18K | CURT A16 Slider | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | ||
| Gross trailer weight | 18,000 lb | 16,000 lb |
| Pin weight | 4,500 lb | 4,000 lb |
| Head | ||
| Mount | Rails (or puck kit) | Rails (or puck kit) |
| Jaw | Dual jaw | Interlocking dual jaws |
| Articulation | Fore, aft and side to side | Fore, aft and side to side |
| Adjustable height | Yes | Yes |
| Height | 16 to 19 in | - |
| Short bed ready | No | Yes |
| Slider | - | Manual |
| Lockable | Yes | Yes |
| Build | ||
| Head weight | - | 84 lb |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | Limited lifetime |