Stop wrestling with universal rail systems that never quite fit right. The B&W Hitches RVK2401 Patriot Custom Bracket Kit is engineered as a vehicle-specific mounting solution for the B&W Patriot 5th wheel hitch, giving you a clean, secure, and properly positioned foundation without cutting, grinding, or drilling into your truck bed. If you already own -- or are purchasing -- a B&W Patriot hitch and need the correct bracket set for your specific truck, the RVK2401 is the piece that makes it all come together.
The B&W Patriot 5th wheel hitch is one of the most respected hitches in the RV towing market, known for its sliding head, articulating coupler, and the ability to tow in short-bed trucks without a slider in many applications. But a great hitch still needs a great mounting foundation -- and that is exactly what the RVK2401 Patriot Custom Bracket Kit delivers.
Unlike generic universal rail kits that rely on shims and adapters to approximate a fit, the RVK2401 is designed to index precisely into your truck's existing bed mounting points. The result is a hitch that sits at the correct height, is centered over the rear axle, and transfers towing loads into the truck's frame the way the engineers intended.
At 69.21 lbs and measuring 44.75 inches long x 10.0 inches wide x 4.5 inches tall, this bracket kit ships as a substantial, heavy-duty assembly. Those dimensions and that weight reflect the robust steel construction B&W is known for across their entire fifth-wheel and gooseneck product line.
Brackets index into OEM bed mounting points for a precise, no-improvisation installation with no cutting or drilling required.
Designed specifically as the mounting foundation for the B&W Patriot 5th wheel hitch family -- not a generic universal kit.
Built to the same standards as B&W's full hitch lineup, with material and weld quality rated for demanding 5th wheel towing loads.
When the hitch head is removed, the low-profile bracket footprint leaves your truck bed functional for hauling cargo between trips.
The B&W Patriot is the entry point into B&W's 5th wheel lineup, sitting below the Companion series but sharing many of the same engineering principles. Key features of the Patriot hitch include a 20,000 lb towing capacity (with 5,000 lb vertical load rating), an articulating head that pivots fore-aft and side-to-side to absorb trailer movement, and a single-point jaw latch for straightforward coupling and uncoupling.
The Patriot is popular with RV owners who tow mid-size to large 5th wheel trailers and want B&W reliability without stepping all the way up to the Companion's premium price tier. The RVK2401 bracket kit is sold separately from the hitch head because B&W produces truck-specific brackets for dozens of different pickup configurations -- ensuring every install is correct for that exact truck rather than approximated with a one-size-fits-all rail.
Full-size pickup trucks from GM, Ford, and Ram each have different bed floor profiles, frame rail spacing, and OEM tie-down anchor locations. A bracket kit engineered for your specific truck year and model uses those existing anchor points to transfer hitch loads directly into the frame -- the safest and most rigid mounting method available. Universal kits require additional hardware and careful measurement to achieve what a custom bracket kit does by design.
The RVK2401 bracket kit is intended for owner installation by someone comfortable working under a truck bed and familiar with torque specifications for structural fasteners. The general process follows B&W's standard Patriot bracket installation:
The RVK2401 is the bracket and rail mounting kit only -- it does not include the Patriot hitch head. If you are building a complete system from scratch, you will need both the RVK2401 bracket kit and a compatible B&W Patriot hitch head. If you already own the Patriot hitch head and are moving it to a new truck or replacing worn brackets, the RVK2401 is the correct replacement bracket set.
B&W produces multiple Patriot bracket kits indexed by truck year, make, model, and bed configuration. The RVK2401 is a specific vehicle fitment -- verify your truck's year, cab style, bed length, and whether it has the factory tow prep package before ordering. The most common applications for this bracket set include select configurations of:
Cross-reference the B&W fitment guide using your truck's VIN or exact year/make/model/bed configuration to confirm RVK2401 is the correct bracket kit for your application before purchasing.
After installation, inspect all bracket mounting fasteners at 500 miles and annually thereafter, especially if the truck is used in road-salt environments. Touch up any paint chips or exposed bare metal with a cold galvanizing compound or rust-inhibiting primer to prevent corrosion at mounting surfaces. Lubricate the Patriot hitch head jaw and pivot points per B&W's schedule -- the brackets themselves require no lubrication.
Universal 5th wheel rail kits typically require the installer to locate and drill mounting positions, use spacers to achieve correct hitch height, and rely on clamping force to the bed floor rather than direct frame attachment. The B&W custom bracket approach uses engineered mounting points that are tied to the truck frame, delivers a predictable finished hitch height without shimming, and results in a cleaner under-bed appearance. For full-timers and frequent towers, that precision and rigidity pays dividends in reduced hitch noise, more consistent coupling, and long-term structural confidence.