Fifth Wheel Hitch What Kind

Lyle,

I am NO B&W expert, but in my 2 years of using the Companion, I have never had to pin the handle open...

What sez the prez ?

C Schomer wrote:
I bought it used from a guy who used to work for a hitch dealer and I figured I just got a production reject. My neighbor bought a new B&W a month ago and his didn't come with the spring either. There's still the handle issues with the B&W. With my old Drawtite, I can leave the handle in, but not locked, for hitching and I hear a reassuring bang when the pin hits home and it's immediately ready for a tug. The handle also securely locks open for unhitching. The B&W is built like a tank tho! Craig

The Companion does have to be pinned into the open position to be unhitched. Someone told me that it did NOT need to be pinned open, so I tried unhitching without doing so and drug the trailer about 6". Opened it up and pinned it in place, and the kingpin slipped right out. Just have to remember to =unpin= the handle when hitching back up or you'll end up with wrinkled bed rails...like mine.

Lyle

Durb wrote:
My Trailer Saver hitch came with a separate handle extension and release rod so that it can be latched and unlatched without a stool even with a dually. It is a flattened piece of EMT but works well.

Yes, but depends on your height. Hubby sometimes has to use the step ladder!

My Trailer Saver hitch came with a separate handle extension and release rod so that it can be latched and unlatched without a stool even with a dually. It is a flattened piece of EMT but works well.

As a new 5th wheel hauler, I went through this with several friends. Including a close friend that was in a very bad accident that has left him with brain damage, not unlike a pro fighter might experience. His comment really hit home with me, would you trust an Anderson hitch with the accident I had, and then sent me several photos of collapsed Anderson hitches.

I love how easy it is to hookup the trailer.

I bought it used from a guy who used to work for a hitch dealer and I figured I just got a production reject. My neighbor bought a new B&W a month ago and his didn't come with the spring either. There's still the handle issues with the B&W. With my old Drawtite, I can leave the handle in, but not locked, for hitching and I hear a reassuring bang when the pin hits home and it's immediately ready for a tug. The handle also securely locks open for unhitching. The B&W is built like a tank tho! Craig

MFL wrote:
Hey Lyle...sounds like you are due for a new hitch! May as well get the puck version, when you order that new GM. Compared to a new 3500 diesel cost, the hitch will just be change out of pocket! :)

You do know those clip-on leveling spring pins can easily be adjusted to change lift pressure to head. If not tightened properly, the spring may have rotated, losing head tension. My hitch with spring, is 8 yrs old now, and holds head up fine, never needing adjustment.

Maybe Craigs hitch is old, or purchased used (spring never installed)?

Did the early version Companions not come with the leveler?

Jerry

Planning on it! Just trying to get our folks' house emptied and sold before I have the spare cash.

Interesting side-note. Went to a local GM dealer that 3-4 people recommended to me (would have gone there anyway, but nice to have a rec), and talked to one of the owner's sons. I speced out a couple trucks and he asked about trading my '02. I got it washed (miracle!) and brought it down for them to look at. The other son took it back and shot a bunch of pics of it, but I have as yet, > 2 months later, to hear back, despite 4 messages left.

Back to the hitch. I got my TO Ball and Companion in '04, when I got my truck and Komfort FW. It did not have the tilt spring, though it was drilled and tapped for the bolt. When I complained about it, they sent the kit, free. I installed it from the get-go to give me the most compression for tilting that I could get, but it still liked to flop forward. Hence the bungee, which works great.

Lyle

Hey Lyle...sounds like you are due for a new hitch! May as well get the puck version, when you order that new GM. Compared to a new 3500 diesel cost, the hitch will just be change out of pocket! :)

You do know those clip-on leveling spring pins can easily be adjusted to change lift pressure to head. If not tightened properly, the spring may have rotated, losing head tension. My hitch with spring, is 8 yrs old now, and holds head up fine, never needing adjustment.

Maybe Craigs hitch is old, or purchased used (spring never installed)?

Did the early version Companions not come with the leveler?

Jerry

C Schomer wrote:
The first thing I had to do to my B&W was drill holes and add springs to keep the hitch tilted back so I didn't need to tie it back with a rope. Then I noticed that when hitching, the handle doesn't necessarily slap all the way back so I always got out to make sure it locked before doing a tug. When unhitching, I had to tie the handle forward, because that was easier than climbing into the bed to put the pin in the handle, or the jaws wouldn't be unlocked. Other than a few convenience and safety deficiencies... it's a good hitch. I put my 25 y.o. Drawtite rocker back in because it does everything the way I want and it keeps my truck and 5er connected together just as well. Craig

B&W sent me a free spring to add to my older Companion, to help tilt it back. While it =does= help, it's not a cure, by any means. I use a bungee cord hooked between the side plates and stretched up, and over, the big bolt. Been using that for about 10-11 years, and it works great. Just have to remember to pull it off the bolt when pulling the head or it makes things a bit awkward. :-)

Lyle

^^ If you go here -

B&W install

you will see on page 1 a picture of the spring clip... It is item # 6=Wire Torsion Spring.. actually part numbers 6 threw 9 are associated with that.

go to page 3 and there are instructions on how to install it,,,