Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Trailer Saver TS3 or B & W Companion Hitch?


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 149
Date:
Trailer Saver TS3 or B & W Companion Hitch?


I taking a poll on a few RV forums to try to get a consensus on which of the two hitches is the best (if either is better than the other!)

I am considering either a TrailerSaver TS3 air bag equipped hitch, or a B & W Companion hitch that does not  have air bags.  For the B & W, I would equip the fiver with a Trail Air air pin box.

I know the TrailerSaver is popular, and it looks well built. I like that it has big air bags and that it pivots in all directions. As for the B & W, I really like the fit/finish of the construction.

 

For background, both have a 20K towing limit and about a 4500-5000 pin weight capacity.  I intend to pull an 18500lb fiver.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

 

Roy



-- Edited by HighwayRanger on Saturday 12th of April 2014 05:15:47 PM

__________________

Let's Roll, America!

Fulltimer Class of Late 2015, with my beautiful bride, Lori.

2015 GMC 3500HD Denali DRW CC LB TrailerSaver TS3 Hitch

2016 DRV Mobile Suites 38RSB3, MorRyde IS, MorRyde Pin Box

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 308
Date:

Hi Roy,

I've had the TS3 since 2010 and approx. 40,000 miles of full timing without a problem. My rear camera view shows the trailer floats smoothly over the bumps. The only negative is that it's an expensive hitch. 

Good luck!



-- Edited by dianneandsteve on Saturday 12th of April 2014 05:43:13 PM

__________________

Steve & Dianne Colibaba

Check out our blog: http://steveanddiannesmostexcellentadventure.blogspot.com/

  • 2008 GMC T7500 Medium Duty Custom RV/Toy Hauler
  • 2009 37' Montana 3665RE
  • 2 - 2010 Yamaha Grizzly 550 ATV's

 1-DSC_0022-003.JPG?dl=0



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1337
Date:

I have the B&W without an air pinbox, but do have total rear air ride suspension on my truck.

The hitch works great and is relatively easy to remove and replace (one person job). I have the companion so it's great to have the option of towing a gooseneck trailer if needed.



__________________

"Small House, Big Yard "

"May the FOREST be with you"
Alfa See-Ya 5'er and 2007 Kodiak C4500 Monroe



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 149
Date:

One advantage that I see to the B & W is ease of removal of the hitch so I can use one of those big CW 50 gallon water bladders in the flat bed of the truck. I suppose that I could do the same thing with the TrailerSaver if it uses quick disconnect fasteners, and leave the hitch hanging on the pinbox while I fetch water. Am I thinking correctly on this?

Roy

__________________

Let's Roll, America!

Fulltimer Class of Late 2015, with my beautiful bride, Lori.

2015 GMC 3500HD Denali DRW CC LB TrailerSaver TS3 Hitch

2016 DRV Mobile Suites 38RSB3, MorRyde IS, MorRyde Pin Box

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 149
Date:

Bump for more advice!

__________________

Let's Roll, America!

Fulltimer Class of Late 2015, with my beautiful bride, Lori.

2015 GMC 3500HD Denali DRW CC LB TrailerSaver TS3 Hitch

2016 DRV Mobile Suites 38RSB3, MorRyde IS, MorRyde Pin Box

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2074
Date:

Both are high quality hitches and will do a good job - but are totally different.

The TS3 (which is actually a 22K+ hitch which they de-rated to get some people to purchase the more expensive model) is obviously an air-ride hitch and better protects the trailer frame drop from verticle impacts.  It can, in some cases, keep the frame from cracking.  "It depends" on the truck and trailer.  It is much heavier than the B&K and you must take that extra weight into consideration as pertains to the rear axle capacity of your truck.  "Do the math."  It is also quite expensive and does require a source of air to adjust the air bags and re-fill them if you deflate when you unhook.  (Keeps the hitch from "jumping up" when the pin weight is removed from the hitch.)  Some do this, some don't.  YMMV.

The B&K is easier to remove.  If you don't need to remove it then this has no impact on the discussion.  It is a good hitch, but has no shock absorption capability.

If you pull with an HDT or some, not all, MDT's you must have an air ride hitch.  For many one-tons, especially if they have air bags to help cushion the vertical bumps, air-ride is not required but, IMO, always recommended if your truck has the rear axle capacity for the TS3's extra weight.

There are other options available.  The Reese "Titan" has shock absorbers in it as does the Curtis.   Either of these two hitches, IMO, are middle ground options between the TS3 and the B&W if you want some shock absorption in the hitch but don't want the weight and cost of the TS3.  Personally, I'd go with one of these two with a one-ton truck (3500HD / F-350/450) for the reasons stated here with a trailer based on the generic information you provided and knowing nothing as to the truck.

Bill

 

 

 



__________________

Bill & Linda



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 149
Date:

Bill, we're looking at a Ram 3500 DRW 4x4, Cummins/Aisin combo. I like the idea of being able to remove the hitch so I can go fetch water with a 50 gallon bladder tank. With the TS3, if I can't leave it hanging on the pin for a few hours while I use the truck bed, that may hamper our boondocking plans. Perhaps we should choose the B & W and a TrailAir pin box so we'll have air bags someplace. Also looking at the optional auto-leveling air bags offered by Dodge for the rear of the truck.

Roy

__________________

Let's Roll, America!

Fulltimer Class of Late 2015, with my beautiful bride, Lori.

2015 GMC 3500HD Denali DRW CC LB TrailerSaver TS3 Hitch

2016 DRV Mobile Suites 38RSB3, MorRyde IS, MorRyde Pin Box

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2074
Date:

HighwayRanger wrote:

Bill, we're looking at a Ram 3500 DRW 4x4, Cummins/Aisin combo. I like the idea of being able to remove the hitch so I can go fetch water with a 50 gallon bladder tank. With the TS3, if I can't leave it hanging on the pin for a few hours while I use the truck bed, that may hamper our boondocking plans. Perhaps we should choose the B & W and a TrailAir pin box so we'll have air bags someplace. Also looking at the optional auto-leveling air bags offered by Dodge for the rear of the truck.

Roy


 Roy:

First, the RAM 3500HD, 4x4, etc. is a very nice truck.  I drove one and was very impressed. Not only with the ride but the exhaust / turbo brake was as strong as the one in the GM / Chevy with the Allison transmission.  That's saying a lot. Very impressive truck.  However, like all the new trucks the bed rails are very tall so make sure you have good bed rail to trailer clearance. You may need to lift the trailer to allow it to run level which is very important as to proper trailer axle loading.  You don't want it to run high in the front as that will put excessive weight on the trailer's rear axle. 

To the hitch point, I don't think it is practical to leave the TS3 hitch "hanging on the pin."  This thing is very large, heavy and cumbersome.  Frankly I doubt you could deal with it without a lot of assistance which you may not have boondocking.

As the trailer is at or below 20K loaded I would suggest the following based on your plans.  Put in the air bags on the RAM. They do a great job on my truck.  They will do a good job dealing with the vertical issues (bounce.)  Put a MOR/ryde pin box on the trailer.  Don't use the Trail-Air.  The MOR/ryde will take best care of the horizontal chucking.  Finally put in a Reese "Titan" (20K Hitch) or the Curt Q24K both of which have some shock absorber capability built in.  Both will be relatively easy to remove as they can be separated.   I've run this combination (air bags - MOR/ryde pin box - hitch) for a lot of miles over a lot of bad roads (which includes Interstates) and it has done really well for me.  I've run trailer mounted air ride hitches as well, like the Trail-Air, and this combination is clearly superior IMO.  (And Linda's which is naturally the gold standard.)

Maybe this gives you another alternative to your situation and need.



-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Saturday 17th of May 2014 06:14:56 AM

__________________

Bill & Linda

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us