CURT A30 5th Wheel Hitch Head | 16590 | 30K | Head Only

The CURT A30 5th Wheel Hitch Head (Part #16590) is the standalone head unit for CURT's top-of-line A-Series 30K 5th wheel hitch system. Buy this if you already have compatible A-Series legs, need a replacement head for an existing A30 installation, or are upgrading a lower-capacity A-Series setup to 30K. Head only — legs, rails, and mounting hardware NOT included. Rated to 30,000 lb GTW / 7,000 lb vertical load. Cast steel main body construction. Patented articulating torsion head with poly-torsion inserts. Self-resetting single-throw handle. High-strength interlocking dual jaws. 3-position color-coded coupling indicator. Fast one-pin head removal. CURT limited lifetime warranty.

The CURT A30 Series — Maximum A-Series Capacity (30K)

The CURT A30 is the top of the A-Series lineup — engineered for the largest luxury 5th wheels, heavy toy haulers, and heavy commercial trailers. Meaningful highlights vs the rest of the A-Series:

• 30,000 lb gross trailer weight (GTW) — CURT's maximum A-Series rating
• 7,000 lb vertical load capacity — meaningful headroom for the heaviest pin weights
• ⭐ Cast steel main body — upgrade over A25's cast yoke, delivers more precise build tolerances and better long-term rigidity under 30K loads
• ⭐ 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 / yellow / green — visible from the truck cab
• ⭐ Extra-wide head opening — makes coupling easier
• ⭐ Fast one-pin head removal system — quick removal from truck bed
• ⭐ Two-pin leg alignment with easy-access mounting bolts — engineered for easier installation
• Carbide black powder coat finish
• Backed by CURT's limited lifetime warranty (one-year finish, one-year parts)

⭐ Head Only — Use Cases

• Replace a damaged A30 head
• Upgrade an A25 to A30 capacity — swap the head, keep the existing puck legs (verify puck leg rating supports 30K)
• Build a custom A30 configuration — pair with compatible legs or a CURT 5th wheel roller

⚠️ What This Head Requires (Sold Separately)

• 5th wheel legs — industry-standard rail-mount legs, CURT OEM puck legs, or a CURT 5th wheel roller
• 5th wheel base rails — required for industry-standard leg installations (see recommended rails below)
• Custom under-bed brackets — required for industry-standard rail installations (vehicle-specific)

Complete A30 Configurations Available

Base configurations (industry-standard rail mount):

• #16590 — Hitch Head Only ($1039.95) ⬅ THIS UNIT
• #16190 — Industry-standard (rails sold separately) ($1251.95)
• #16191 — Rails included ($1427.95)

Direct-fit puck-system configuration:

• #16070 — Silverado/Sierra 2500/3500 HD 8' Bed Puck ($1717.95)

Compatible puck legs (sold separately in the mounting foundation catalog):

• #16024 — GM Silverado/Sierra HD Puck Legs, 30K, Carbide Black
• #16030 — GM Silverado/Sierra HD Puck Legs, 30K, Teridium Grey

⚠️ Sidewinder / Turret Pin Box Compatibility — Wedge Required

Compatible with rotating pin boxes — Reese Sidewinder, Reese Revolution, 5th Airborne Sidewinder — ONLY when used with a wedge (sold separately). This differs from lower-capacity A-Series hitches (A16/A20/A25) which can be used with Sidewinder pin boxes without a wedge.

⚠️ Second-generation Sidewinder wedges have been known to shear off under A30 loads. Verify your Sidewinder generation before purchasing, and consult CURT or the pin box manufacturer if uncertain.

A30 vs A25 — When to Step Up

The A30 and A25 share the premium A-Series head design (articulating torsion, dual jaws, self-resetting handle, 3-position indicator). Meaningful A30 upgrades over A25:

• 30,000 lb GTW vs A25's 25,000 lb — handles the largest 5th wheels and heaviest commercial trailers
• 7,000 lb vertical load vs A25's 6,250 lb — meaningful headroom for the heaviest pin weights
• Cast steel main body vs A25's cast yoke — more precise build and better long-term rigidity under sustained high loads
• One-pin head removal — faster install/removal than A25's multi-fastener head

Choose A30 if your trailer's GTW or pin weight is close to or above A25 ratings. For large 42'+ luxury 5th wheels, heavy toy haulers with ATVs/UTVs, or commercial trailers approaching 30K, A30 provides the ceiling of A-Series performance.

A30 vs PowerRide (30K)

Both A30 and PowerRide are 30,000 lb 5th wheel hitches. Meaningful differences to help you choose:

• A30 — Traditional premium hitch design. Uses grease plate (like most 5th wheel hitches). Cast steel body. Articulating torsion head with poly-torsion inserts. Standard three-position color indicator.
• PowerRide 30K — Modern hitch design with additional cushioning and movement in the head. Grease-free head design (no more greasing the hitch plate). Multi-directional head. Self-aligning. Higher vertical load capacity (7,500 lb).

Both perform very well. Choose PowerRide if you value the grease-free head design and additional cushioning. Choose A30 for the more traditional heavy-duty A-Series build with cast steel body.

Load Ratings

• Gross Trailer Weight (GTW): 30,000 lb
• Vertical Load Capacity: 7,000 lb

Cross-Reference Part Numbers

• Part Number: 16590
• UPC: 612314165902
• Patent: #8,827,298
• OEM branded variants: Ram OEM 30K 5th Wheel Hitch is a CURT-manufactured product using this same head

⚠️ Professional Installation Recommended

The A30 head unit is heavy and installation involves proper leg attachment torque and alignment. Installation should be performed by a qualified installer.

Limited Lifetime Warranty

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

Genuine CURT OEM

Key Features

• Genuine CURT OEM A30 5th Wheel Hitch Head
• Part Number: 16590
• UPC: 612314165902
• ⭐ Cast steel main body — precise build, long-term rigidity
• ⭐ Patented articulating torsion head — cast yoke, poly-torsion inserts
• ⭐ Self-resetting single-throw handle
• ⭐ High-strength interlocking dual jaws
• ⭐ 3-position color-coded indicator
• ⭐ Fast one-pin head removal
• ⭐ Extra-wide head opening
• Sidewinder compatible with wedge (sold separately — verify Sidewinder generation)
• Gross trailer weight: 30,000 lb
• Vertical load capacity: 7,000 lb
• Head unit only — legs, rails, brackets NOT included
• Finish: Carbide black powder coat
• Backed by CURT's limited lifetime warranty

Specifications

• Brand: CURT
• Part Number: 16590
• UPC: 612314165902
• Product Line: A30 (A-Series Premium — Maximum Capacity)
• Type: 5th Wheel Hitch Head Unit (Standalone)
• Patent: #8,827,298
• Gross Trailer Weight (GTW): 30,000 lb
• Vertical Load Capacity: 7,000 lb
• Main Body Construction: Cast steel
• Head Design: Cast yoke with poly-torsion inserts, fully articulating torsion
• 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)
• Head Removal: Fast one-pin system
• Sidewinder Compatibility: Yes, with wedge (sold separately); verify generation
• Compatibility: CURT A-Series 5th wheel legs, CURT 5th wheel roller
• Included: Head unit only
• Sold Separately: Legs, base rails, brackets, roller (as needed)
• Finish: Carbide black powder coat
• Warranty: Limited lifetime (one-year finish, one-year parts)