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Old 05-07-2017, 04:35 AM   #1
Rhinoone82
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B & W Install

Well I got the B & W Companion OEM hitch installed and tested out the setup. Took about an hour to get the hitch fully installed in the new 3500 DRW. Love the factory puck system. I went to do a test hookup to make sure I was level and had plenty of bed clearance and all is good.

I can't believe how much simpler the hitching and unhitching of the B & W is compared to Reese 16K slider I had in my old truck. Everything just slid in and out with ease. I didn't take it out on a test drive as I was short on time, so I will update my thoughts after the first pull.
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Old 05-07-2017, 04:51 AM   #2
cardinal96ss
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Yup. It's a great hitch in many respects. Love ours. Enjoy.
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Old 05-07-2017, 04:55 AM   #3
Rhinoone82
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Do you have any recommendations on how often to grease the head? I see that it has the zirk fitting. Just not sure how often it will need to be greased. Any other tips?
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Old 05-07-2017, 05:14 AM   #4
cardinal96ss
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I give that zerk one pump about every 6 months. I also apply some grease to the jaws where they will close on the pin. I use a teflon platter on the large plate surface.
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Old 05-07-2017, 05:36 AM   #5
Rhinoone82
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Thanks. That sounds good.
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Old 05-07-2017, 05:47 AM   #6
fatcatzzz
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Have used mine for two years now. Great hitch.
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Old 05-12-2017, 07:53 AM   #7
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Happy with mine as well...I've only towed from my dealer to the hosue (about 30 miles) but it worked great. The puck system is great once you get it adjusted the first time--mine took some tweaking but now it should be a 5 minute process to restore my flat pickup bed when needed. Got a fantastic price on mine as well, brand new for $500, which makes it even better!
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Old 05-12-2017, 08:05 AM   #8
nellie1289
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Got same hitch it's great !!!! Highly recommend. For maintenance to check out bw's website there is a four minute video on how to service your hitch. Very simple and I am a novice on this stuff.
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Old 05-12-2017, 01:31 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhinoone82 View Post
Well I got the B & W Companion OEM hitch installed and tested out the setup. Took about an hour to get the hitch fully installed in the new 3500 DRW. Love the factory puck system. I went to do a test hookup to make sure I was level and had plenty of bed clearance and all is good.

I can't believe how much simpler the hitching and unhitching of the B & W is compared to Reese 16K slider I had in my old truck. Everything just slid in and out with ease. I didn't take it out on a test drive as I was short on time, so I will update my thoughts after the first pull.
How much does it weigh?
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Old 05-17-2017, 03:57 PM   #10
houstonwarren2
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I wonder if the B&W Companion will get me nice and level on our new 5er? Same stock truck (2015 3500 DRW with 17" wheels and the factory puck hitch package. We picked up the 2017 3711FL but I'm a newbie to hauling and am worried that I will choose the wrong hitch and will end up nose high. The B&W appears to have a heigh adjustment of 17" to 19". I was considering the Curt Q25 that has a 14" to 18" adjustment to get it level. Any idea with this particular setup if either will get me level with a 3711FL by chance?
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Old 05-17-2017, 04:57 PM   #11
nellie1289
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you will be absolutely fine. you can adjust the height of you BW and your pin too if needed. you will love it. my dealer set my bw for me so it is completely level although in my pic here it may look squatted a little I am pointed uphill. on my 3500 I have 9" between the rail and the bottom of the fiver.

ON weight, I would say 100lbs for the base and 50 for the top component. I can do it myself and im age 44.
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Old 05-17-2017, 05:04 PM   #12
Rhinoone82
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Originally Posted by Desert185 View Post
How much does it weigh?
Total it is just over 200#. That is with the base and the head together. The base alone is about 130# and the head is 75#. It is very simle to remove the head, 2 pins and pull the handles and the head comes off. So very easy to remove as 2 pieces if needed
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Old 05-17-2017, 05:10 PM   #13
Rhinoone82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by houstonwarren2 View Post
I wonder if the B&W Companion will get me nice and level on our new 5er? Same stock truck (2015 3500 DRW with 17" wheels and the factory puck hitch package. We picked up the 2017 3711FL but I'm a newbie to hauling and am worried that I will choose the wrong hitch and will end up nose high. The B&W appears to have a heigh adjustment of 17" to 19". I was considering the Curt Q25 that has a 14" to 18" adjustment to get it level. Any idea with this particular setup if either will get me level with a 3711FL by chance?

I set mine up at 18" to pull my 2015 Impact 311. This is my first trip out with it so I will see after this trip if I will raise it to the 19". I think I am good where I am at though.
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Old 05-17-2017, 05:51 PM   #14
rcmike
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I would recommend getting one of the those 5th wheel lube plates that goes betwwen your pin box and your 5th wheel. There only about $15. I also like my B&W companion 5th wheel hitch..
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Old 05-17-2017, 05:53 PM   #15
Rhinoone82
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Originally Posted by rcmike View Post
I would recommend getting one of the those 5th wheel lube plates that goes betwwen your pin box and your 5th wheel. There only about $15. I also like my B&W companion 5th wheel hitch..
I do have the lube plate. Used it with my last hitch. Way better than dealing with the grease
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Old 05-18-2017, 07:25 AM   #16
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Great info! Thank you all.
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