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CURT

CURT A20 5th Wheel Hitch Head | 16540 | 20K | Head Only

CURT A20 5th Wheel Hitch Head | 16540 | 20K | Head Only

Regular price $878.00 AUD
Regular price $1,194.00 AUD Sale price $878.00 AUD
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The CURT A20 5th Wheel Hitch Head (Part #16540) is the standalone head unit for the CURT A-Series 20K 5th wheel hitch system. Buy this if you already have compatible A-Series legs, an S20 slider, or need a replacement head for an existing A20 installation. Head only — legs, rails, and mounting hardware NOT included. Rated to 20,000 lb GTW / 5,000 lb vertical load. Patented articulating torsion head with poly-torsion inserts. Self-resetting single-throw handle. High-strength interlocking dual jaws. 3-position color-coded coupling indicator. Compatible with Sidewinder pin boxes. CURT limited lifetime warranty.

The CURT A20 Series — Premium 20K 5th Wheel Hitch

The CURT A-Series is CURT's premium 5th wheel hitch line — engineered with patented articulating head geometry, interlocking dual-jaw design, and self-resetting handle operation. The A20 is the 20,000 lb capacity variant — the step up from the A16 for larger 5th wheels, mid-size toy haulers, and heavier commercial trailers. Meaningful highlights:

  • 20,000 lb gross trailer weight (GTW) — handles larger 5th wheel RVs, toy haulers, and heavier commercial trailers
  • 5,000 lb vertical load capacity — 1,000 lb more than A16, meaningful for larger trailers with heavier pin weights
  • ⭐ Patented articulating torsion head (Patent #8,827,298) — cast yoke with poly-torsion inserts suppresses shock loads and reduces noise
  • ⭐ Self-resetting single-throw handle — pull once to couple/uncouple; handle automatically returns to ready-to-couple position after uncoupling
  • ⭐ High-strength interlocking dual jaws — fully wrap the kingpin for minimal movement and noise
  • ⭐ Three-position color-coded coupling indicator — red (uncouple) / yellow (couple) / green (tow) — visible from the truck cab
  • ⭐ Extra-wide head opening — makes coupling easier, especially in low-visibility conditions
  • ⭐ Sidewinder pin box compatible — approved for use with Sidewinder-style turret pin boxes
  • Four height adjustment settings (13"–17" range)
  • Carbide black powder coat finish
  • Backed by CURT's limited lifetime warranty (one-year finish, one-year parts)

⭐ Head Only — Ideal Replacement / Upgrade Path

The A20 hitch head (#16540) is the same premium head used in every complete A20 configuration. Meaningful use cases:

  • Upgrade an A16 setup to 20K capacity — swap the head, keep the existing legs (same puck-system compatibility)
  • Replace a damaged A20 head — restore your hitch without replacing the whole assembly
  • Build a custom A20 configuration — pair with compatible legs, slider, or roller

⚠️ What This Head Requires (Sold Separately)

  • 5th wheel legs — industry-standard rail-mount legs or CURT OEM puck legs
  • 5th wheel base rails — required for industry-standard leg installations
  • Custom under-bed brackets — required for industry-standard rail installations (vehicle-specific)
  • Or a puck adapter — for puck-equipped trucks using industry-standard legs

Complete A20 Configurations Available

If you don't already have compatible legs/rails, browse the complete A20 configurations:

Base configurations (industry-standard rail mount):

Direct-fit puck-system configurations:

Sliding configurations:

A20 vs A16 — When to Step Up

The A20 and A16 share the same premium A-Series head design (articulating torsion, dual jaws, self-resetting handle, 3-position indicator, Sidewinder compatible). Meaningful A20 upgrades over A16:

  • 20,000 lb GTW vs A16's 16,000 lb — handles heavier trailers
  • 5,000 lb vertical load capacity vs A16's 4,000 lb — meaningful for larger 5th wheels with heavier pin weights
  • Same puck-system compatibility as A16 — uses the same puck legs (#16025, #16029, etc.) so upgrade paths are straightforward

Choose A20 if your trailer's GTW or pin weight is close to or above the A16's ratings. For a typical 32'–40' 5th wheel with a loaded pin weight over 3,500 lb, A20 provides meaningful headroom.

Need Even Higher Capacity?

The A20 is capped at 20,000 lb GTW. For larger 5th wheels and heavy toy haulers, CURT offers:

  • A25 (25K) — 25,000 lb GTW / 6,250 lb vertical load
  • A30 (30K) — Maximum A-Series capacity for luxury 5th wheels and heavy toy haulers
  • PowerRide (30K) — CURT's flagship — multi-directional head, strategic grip points, self-resetting handle

Each higher-capacity variant is available for the same puck-system trucks and universal industry-standard base rails.

Load Ratings

  • Gross Trailer Weight (GTW): 20,000 lb
  • Vertical Load Capacity: 5,000 lb

Weight capacities are limited to the lowest-rated towing component (head + legs + rails + trailer coupler).

Cross-Reference Part Numbers

  • Part Number: 16540
  • UPC: 612314165407
  • Patent: #8,827,298
  • Compatible with: CURT A-Series and Q-Series 5th wheel legs, S20 slider, R20 roller adapter

⚠️ Professional Installation Recommended

Head unit installation involves proper leg attachment torque and alignment. Installation should be performed by a qualified installer unless you have prior experience with 5th wheel hitch service.

Limited Lifetime Warranty

Backed by CURT's limited lifetime warranty (one-year finish, one-year parts).

Genuine CURT OEM

Key Features

  • Genuine CURT OEM A20 5th Wheel Hitch Head
  • Part Number: 16540
  • UPC: 612314165407
  • ⭐ Patented articulating torsion head — cast yoke, poly-torsion inserts
  • ⭐ Self-resetting single-throw handle — auto-returns to ready-to-couple
  • ⭐ High-strength interlocking dual jaws — full kingpin wrap
  • ⭐ 3-position color-coded indicator — visible from truck cab
  • ⭐ Extra-wide head opening — easier coupling
  • ⭐ Sidewinder pin box compatible
  • Gross trailer weight: 20,000 lb
  • Vertical load capacity: 5,000 lb
  • Head unit only — legs, rails, brackets NOT included
  • Finish: Carbide black powder coat
  • Backed by CURT's limited lifetime warranty (one-year finish, one-year parts)

Specifications

  • Brand: CURT
  • Part Number: 16540
  • UPC: 612314165407
  • Product Line: A20 (A-Series Premium)
  • Type: 5th Wheel Hitch Head Unit (Standalone)
  • Patent: #8,827,298
  • Gross Trailer Weight (GTW): 20,000 lb
  • Vertical Load Capacity: 5,000 lb
  • Head Design: Cast yoke with poly-torsion inserts, fully articulating
  • Jaw Design: High-strength interlocking dual jaws (full kingpin wrap)
  • Handle: Lockable single-throw, self-resetting
  • Coupling Indicator: 3-position color-coded (red/yellow/green)
  • Pin Box Compatibility: Standard + Sidewinder-style turret pin boxes
  • Compatibility: CURT A-Series and Q-Series 5th wheel legs, S20 slider, R20 roller
  • Height Adjustment: 4 positions (13"–17" range, requires compatible legs)
  • Included: Head unit only
  • Sold Separately: Legs, base rails, brackets, slider (as needed for configuration)
  • Finish: Carbide black powder coat
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime (one-year finish, one-year parts)
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