Fifth-Wheel Fever: CURT Manufacturing NEW Products

With stimulus funds dipping low and record-breaking inflation continuing to climb the charts, Americans are seeking creative ways to cut back and save… whether it’s couponing, bulk-buying, or passing on non-essential purchases altogether. It remains true, however, that you can’t put a price on safety – bargain shopping low-grade towing equipment isn’t the smartest area to pinch pennies. Thankfully, one brand hangs its hat on quality towing solutions at attainable price points.

CURT Manufacturing budded from modest beginnings in 1994 and blossomed into a top manufacturer of American-made towing products. Today, CURT Manufacturing offers a complete line of towing products, from gooseneck, fifth wheel, and weight distribution hitches to electrical components, ball mounts, trailer balls, cargo carriers, bike racks, and various towing accessories.

Not only is CURT Manufacturing considered a leading manufacturer of American-made, custom-fit trailer hitches, but the company also carries the broadest selection of custom-fit receiver hitches on the market. From passenger cars and vans to full-size pickups and SUVs, CURT prides itself on being “The First Name in Towing Products.”

Featured at The SEMA Show 2021 and Voted one of 2021’s “Best New Products” by RV PRO magazine, the PowerRide 30K 5th Wheel Hitch is easy to use, multi-directional and offers a smooth ride.

The company’s emphasis on product quality, innovation, and customer service has reached new heights alongside a strategic partnership with industry powerhouse Lippert. Greater access to resources means an even better finished product for end consumers like you.

Crosswing Fifth Wheel Hitch

This year’s new product lineup places the company’s range front and center, starting with the Crosswing™ fifth-wheel hitch debuted at the recent NTP-STAG Expo in Las Vegas, NV.

Known for providing smoother, quieter, and more stable towing, fifth-wheel hitches are usually found on RV fifth wheels and campers. Unlike goosenecks’ hitch-ball coupler, fifth wheel hitches use a jaw and kingpin connection – similar to what you would see on a large semi-truck.

Usually, a large in-bed hitch attaches to rails that are bolted down to the bed floor (and to the frame of the truck). The trailer then connects via a downward-facing pin (called a kingpin), which is secured via metal jaws or a locking bar on the hitch. A pivoting head on the hitch provides the necessary movement for smooth towing.
–Gooseneck or Fifth Wheel: Which Hitch Is Right For You?

Donning premium steel construction wrapped in a rust-resistant carbide textured finish, the Crosswing™ boasts 20k lb. capacity, while a reinforced head connection point provides superior strength and peace of mind for users.

“The patent-pending Crosswing™ is two years in the making, and it’s our hope that it will serve as a benchmark product for the industry at large,” stated Matt Laird, Regional Sales Manager – Aftermarket Sales for Lippert.

Simple, Direct Connection

Hooking up is made simple with Crosswing’s unique coupling system, which eliminates guesswork by offering a visible contact surface as the head channel guides the kingpin into place. The Crosswing™ struts versatility, featuring fore, aft, or lateral head articulation when connecting on uneven terrain and three points of height adjustment (16-3/8” to 20-3/8”). Engineered with ShockDrop™, a cushioned isolator also helps deter jerking, jarring, vibrations, and rattling to ensure a more comfortable towing experience. Meanwhile, a lube plate prevents metal-to-metal contact, so consumers enjoy an ideal fit without the wear and tear.

Plus, with an ultra-lightweight design, strategic grip placement, and simple, three-bolt assembly, the Crosswing™ is as easy to install as it is to use. Laird touts the fifth-wheel hitch as “the easiest installation in the industry.”

Solid Foundation

As a valued OE partner, CURT Manufacturing remains at the forefront of innovation. From Ford, RAM, and Chevy to Toyota and Nissan, “All the trucks are now coming equipped with built-in puck systems. And since CURT is servicing the OEs, we’re going to be first-to-market with a puck system for any kind of vehicle,” said Laird, who pointed to the company’s new 25k and 40k industry-rated base rails.

Some hitches, like a gooseneck, require a rail system in order to create compatibility for proper installation. Each set of CURT fifth wheel base rails features industry-standard mounting points, accommodating any CURT fifth wheel hitch and any competitor hitch with industry-standard mounts. The rails easily bolt onto the company’s custom brackets for a vehicle-specific fit.

CURT’s X5 bracket system serves as a single point-of-contact to bolt into, Laird explained. “In a normal, traditional fifth-wheel hitch installation, these rails are in the bed and stay in the bed, but because the manufacturers have moved to a puck system, CURT created the X5 bracket to go down through the gooseneck adaptor and allow for ISR rail setup,” he said.

Essentially, the base rails establish a universal fit among hitches. “So, if a customer was to buy a new truck and wants to transfer his hitch from the previous truck but, let’s say, it’s not compatible, the bracket and rail system allow the customer to do so very easily,” he added.

Looking Ahead

Fifth-wheel hitches continue to gain in popularity, with a swell of new RVers hitting the road in droves. As a leader in towing solutions, CURT Manufacturing remains focused on providing high-quality products that are as versatile and affordable as they are easy to install. Stay tuned, as we detail even more new products from CURT in coming weeks.

A fifth-wheel’s pin box plays a big role in the fifth-wheel towing experience, from turning clearance to ride comfort. CURT recently released several new fifth-wheel pin boxes, including the Rota-Flex pictured below. The Rota-Flex’s pivoting head reduces chucking while its rubberized torsion compound absorbs road shock.