Reese Hitches: Over 70 Years of Towing Done Right

Some brands earn their reputation over decades. Reese is one of them - founded in 1952 by TJ Reese, and their trailer hitches were quickly adopted by a growing RV industry that recognized the engineering behind them. Since then, the brand has grown into one of the most recognized names in North American towing, covering everything from basic receiver hitches to heavy-duty fifth wheel systems and specialty pin box solutions.

At RV Trader Accessories, we carry the Reese lineup for RVers who want proven hardware they can trust - whether you're running a travel trailer on weekends or towing a fully loaded fifth wheel across the country.

What Reese Makes

Reese builds towing products across the full spectrum of needs. Their line has grown to include heavy duty fifth wheel hitches, pin box solutions, weight distribution systems, and a complete range of towing accessories. A few of the standout product lines worth knowing:

Fifth Wheel Hitches

The core of Reese's product lineup is their heavy duty fifth wheel series, designed for safe towing across the range of RV configurations. The Titan Fifth Wheel series in particular is built for high-capacity towing with a design focused on stable, quiet performance over long distances. Reese fifth wheel hitches mount to standard industry rail systems and are available in multiple weight class options to match your trailer's gross trailer weight rating.

The Sidewinder Pin Box

One of Reese's most well-known products, and for good reason. The Sidewinder's patented design allows towers to make 90-plus degree turns without leaving the cab of the truck. It connects to the trailer and locks the trailer kingpin to the fifth wheel hitch, moving the pivot point 22 inches rearward to provide increased turning clearance - and it tracks automatically, eliminating the need for a fifth wheel slider system.

If you're running a short bed crew cab and have been wrestling with clearance issues, the Sidewinder solves that problem from the trailer side rather than the truck side. It's rated to 20,000 lbs, tested to exceed SAE J2638 standards, and backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

The Goose Box

For RVers who already have a gooseneck ball in the truck bed - or who want to free up bed space by ditching the traditional fifth wheel hitch frame - the Goose Box is a smart solution. This premium replacement pin box attaches to your fifth wheel trailer and connects directly to the goose ball in your truck bed. It uses air ride technology with an easy-to-fill airbag, dual shocks, and rubber springs to absorb road shocks and bumps, making it one of the more comfortable towing setups available for fifth wheel owners.

Weight Distribution and Dual Cam Sway Control

Reese's weight distribution systems are a staple for travel trailer owners who need to manage tongue weight and prevent rear-end squat. What sets Reese apart here is their patented Dual Cam sway control system. Unlike friction sway control - which only resists sway once it has already started - the Dual Cam system works to forestall sway from the beginning. It holds down the start of swaying activity while still allowing free interaction between the tow vehicle and trailer. It's also installed on the trailer, so it doesn't require re-adjustment every hookup unless your hitch weight or loading changes.

The stronger the sway force, the more the Dual Cam system works to counter it - actively forcing the trailer to stay straight behind the tow vehicle rather than just passively resisting movement. For anyone towing in crosswind conditions, on mountain grades, or with a heavier trailer, that's a meaningful difference.

Receiver Hitches and Accessories

Reese's product range covers everything from trailer hitch ball mounts to full fifth wheel towing setups. Their receiver hitch lineup spans multiple hitch classes, from light-duty Class II setups for smaller SUVs and crossovers all the way to Class V heavy-duty configurations for HD pickups. Reese also makes a full range of ball mounts, hitch balls, safety chains, and electrical components to round out any towing setup.

Who Reese Products Are Built For

The Weekend Warrior with a travel trailer. If you're hauling a bumper pull or travel trailer and dealing with tongue weight or mild sway, Reese's weight distribution and Dual Cam system is one of the most trusted setups on the market. It's designed to be DIY-installed and adjusted without specialty tools.

Fifth wheel owners with a short bed truck. The Sidewinder pin box was built specifically for this situation. If clearance has been an ongoing headache - or you've been getting out of the cab every time you back into a tight spot - it's one of the cleaner solutions available.

RVers who already tow with a gooseneck setup. The Goose Box lets you skip the full fifth wheel hitch frame and connect your fifth wheel trailer directly to your gooseneck ball, with air ride comfort built in. Useful if you split time between hauling livestock or equipment trailers and towing your RV.

Anyone upgrading from a basic setup. Reese's product line scales - you don't have to go from a stripped-down ball mount straight to a full weight distribution system. There's a product at every level, and the brand's compatibility across hitch types and trailer configurations means you can build up your towing setup over time without starting from scratch.

A Note on Compatibility

Reese products are engineered to work within a specific ecosystem. The Sidewinder, for example, is compatible with Reese Elite series, M Series, and Dual Jaw fifth wheel hitches using the included wedge, and can also work with CURT, B&W, Husky, Demco, and PullRite hitches with the appropriate wedge kits sold separately. Before purchasing a pin box solution, confirm your trailer's existing bolt hole pattern and your truck's fifth wheel hitch brand to make sure the fitment is right.

When in doubt, Reese products include detailed compatibility documentation, and most list specific Lippert, Fabex, and Rhino bolt hole patterns they're designed for.

Ready to sort out your towing setup? Browse the full Reese hitch collection at RV Trader Accessories, or shop across our complete hitch and tow category to pair your Reese hitch with the right ball mounts, weight distribution hardware, and towing accessories.