Ordered my B&W companion hitch

[Htfiremedic]

So we are changing over from Gooseneck to fifth wheel. We ordered the Companion and are going to the shop Friday AM to set it up. The folks we are buying it from are going yo set ride height and front to back spacing for me. Anything that I need to be aware of?


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[mgallaher]

I've used my companion hitch for seven years and have been more than satisfied. Lube the grease zert under the hitch, lithium grease on the upright pads and jaws and it will work flawlessly. I keep the gooseneck ball inserted upside down in the receiver with the pin engaged. Torque the nuts as recommended and everything will be cool.

[Cougarfamily]

I've used my companion hitch for seven years and have been more than satisfied. Lube the grease zert under the hitch, lithium grease on the upright pads and jaws and it will work flawlessly. I keep the gooseneck ball inserted upside down in the receiver with the pin engaged. Torque the nuts as recommended and everything will be cool.

X2 on this.

[Htfiremedic]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/22/ybebaha3.jpg
This is the "new style" Companion. This thing is unbelievable!! Twice the ride of the old way!!


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[Povo]

Just posted this in another thread - about to order B&W hitch with the Companion slider for the Ram that will be picked up in a couple of weeks. Don't think you can do much better. Congrats! (check out the 5ver section of this forum).

[unyalli]

This is the "new style" Companion.

What's different?

-Jeff

[arcticcatred]

The new companion is rated for 5000lb pin and 20000 trailer weight. It only has one bolt to loosen to remove it. Very nice setup remove or install in less than 5 minutes.

[Htfiremedic]

It IS that easy! The one bolt has a built it lock ring to keep it from loosening. They really did it right. I spoke with a guy that used to be a sales rep for them, years ago. Nothing but good words about the company in general. A testament in today's times!


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[DiverB]

I'm going to be calling a few places to get a price for the B&W B&W 20k lb Companion Hitch. Looks like I will need an adapter plate as well. About what price do you guys think will be normal pricing? I'm just trying to gauge what should be the normal ballpark price for everything installed.

[Htfiremedic]

Mine was just shy of 900. What you see in the picture is the complete hitch. The only other thing required in a B&W (or other) removable ball gooseneck setup!


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[DiverB]

Ok I got a quote for $950 and that includes the adapter plate, but they want $625 to install it. That sure seems high for labor

[wbatto]

Guys,
I bought mine last spring off of E-Bay believe or not. The company who had it was Got Chrome. They offered them cheaper on E-Bay than on there regular website. I have a 2011 Dodge Dully and tow a 381 Fuzion. At first I had some trouble with trailer chucking as I had the hitch head adjusted too far back towards the tailgate. Just make sure you adjust it far enough forward towards the cab when you put it together. I Really like not having the rails in my truck bed and it only takes 10 mins to install the one neck bolt and two u-bolts. I think you will really like it.

[BigBearWV]

Ok I got a quote for $950 and that includes the adapter plate, but they want $625 to install it. That sure seems high for labor

The turn over ball is the labor intensive part to install! On my F-250 it took me and one other guy helping about 4 hours to install it.

[DiverB]

I searched on line for the price of the B&W hitch, and the best price I found was $879 but that DID NOT include the $439 Dodge adapter turn over ball plate. After adding the two up and then adding labor, it would cost me more than the quote I received from one of the trailer shops.

Guess I will have the shop that quoted me $950 for the hitch/turn over plate and pay the $600 labor.

Thanks for the input fellas

[Zman81]

I have all the B&W equipment to with the slider in a 2011 ext. cab silverado and a 2015 cougar high country 5'er. I have the up rights as far forward and in the middle up and down position. Never have had to use the slider part but was told if and when you need it you will be glad you spent the extra money. It all does work flawlessly and constructed nice. It is heavy as some say but it's my TV not work truck. 73697370

[Javi]

I like the idea of the B&W turnover ball, but I will never need a gooseneck ball in my pickup so I installed the Reese Elite puck system without the GN ball part, it can be added at a later date should someone ever want it. I intended to buy the B&W hitch that fits the Reese pucks but a fellow had a twice used Reese 18K Elite hitch and I had archery lessons so it was a match make it RV heaven...:D


Have you Dodge guys looked into the Reese puck system (Elite Hitch) for your Dodges.. The B&W OEM Companion hitch supposedly fits it if you are not a fan of the Reese hitch..

[glenalt]

I have the new BW Companion and am wondering what is the torque specs for the single bolt? I removed the unit, which was very easy but when I re-install I don't know what to torque it to. Thanks.

[Desert185]

I have the B&W gooseneck ball hitch and decided on the Andersen Ultimate hitch that attaches to the ball in the bed. "Installed" it myself as it only weighs 74# with no rails in the bed. 24,000# capacity. The Anderson or the Reese Goosebox both seem like the most elegant, cost effective and simple solution should one have a gooseneck ball.

Worth a look before shelling out extra cash for extra weight.

www.andersenhitches.com

[Fishhawk]

[QUOTE=Htfiremedic;117460]So we are changing over from Gooseneck to fifth wheel. We ordered the Companion and are going to the shop Friday AM to set it up. The folks we are buying it from are going yo set ride height and front to back spacing for me. Anything that I need to be aware of?


I like my Companion hitch a lot
I would suggest having the dealer put on a teflon disc on the pin right away to eliminate having to smear grease all over the plates and the teflon keeps things cleaner with no dirt build up on the hitch


Enjoy!!!

[Zman81]

Glenalt
All the bolt torque specs are 80 ft. Pounds that's for the upright bolts and the drawdown bolt. Hope that helps

[keef95]

I'm excited to have ordered my Companion today. I bought a used 2014 Raptor 384PK that already had a gooseneck adaptor installed. At first it seemed like a good idea as I had access to trucks with gooseneck balls in the bed. As the months have passed however, that adaptor kept looking more and more dinky for a trailer this heavy. A quick search revealed many cautionary tales. As I'm carrying some pretty valuable cargo, the $800 wasn't worth the worry so I pulled the trigger today.

[Desert185]

I'm going to be calling a few places to get a price for the B&W B&W 20k lb Companion Hitch. Looks like I will need an adapter plate as well. About what price do you guys think will be normal pricing? I'm just trying to gauge what should be the normal ballpark price for everything installed.

If you have a gooseneck ball, you might want to review www.andersenhitches.com before buying the Companion. 24,000# capacity and it only weighs about 74# (think payload), so its very easy to remove in order to get your bed space back...and it should be less money including the fact that you can easily install it on the ball yourself.

[BOWWOW]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/22/ybebaha3.jpg
This is the "new style" Companion. This thing is unbelievable!! Twice the ride of the old way!!


Sent from my iPhone

What is all the red stuff, grease ?
I have the same setup it's awesome but I use a white nylon lube plate, then there is no need for grease it looks so messy is it ?
I do put white lithium grease on the jaws and in the zerk.
I use a weber grill cover when I'm not using it, it has a draw string and fits nicely.

[Ron]

If anyone happens to be in the Yuma area, I have seen a couple Companion hitches listed on Craigslist for a pretty reasonable price, we love ours and also use the Teflon lube plate and just keep the jaws lubed up, we have the flatbed type that is rated for 22,000 lbs..."bouncey:

[Htfiremedic]

Love it. Never tried the plate. It is a bit messy

[notanlines]

Most RV stores and Walmarts in Florida/Texas have the nylon plate. Works great and installs in less than 15 seconds.