The base the op is mentioning will cause bed deflection if towing HEAVY. B&W has spacers they will ship you if wanted. The base was fine for the thicker metal of the beds when the base was engineered. Now the beds are thin and that is why they came up with the Companion with spacers attached to the base so there is no deflection. And another improvement are the Puck bases. Don't see ANDERSEN using the pucks.
OP, try using anti seize next time. Or spend the $300 and get the base they offered. B&W is trying to make it right with you.