I have had my turnover ball installed by a dealer. I purchased the companion slider to go with it as well. There seems to be a problem whereas the companion at the rear toward the tailgate. The companion sticks up about a 1/2 in toward the rear, not laying flat in the bed. The dealer told me that it would lay flat once the trailer was connected. Well that did not happen. The companion pushed in the bed and cut the metal in the bed. Now I have to big dents and cuts in my brand new 2015 Chevrolet 3500HD. No one has offered a solution to the problem, Dealer, B&W etc. B&W said that I have to sand the pads on the bottom is unacceptable. B&W knows there is a problem with the 2015 Chevrolet trucks beds not being level. Tech at B&W did not offer any solutions to me or the dealer. Why was there no documentation to the dealers about this issue. Not even the biggest dealer in the country knew there was a issue with the 2015 Chevrolet models. So I cannot haul anything until someone figures this out. I can't risk anymore damage to my Brand new Truck. At this point I'm out of options. This review is not intended to bash B&W. I just have to get this resolved in order to use my truck as intended. So would recommend this product to a friend, Not to someone with a 2015 Chevrolet at this time. But would recommend it to people who do not have 2015 Chevrolet. At this time. This was the post I made to B&W.. Has anyone with the 2015 Chevrolet had any issues with this setup. Thanks in advance.COMPANION SLIDER 5TH WHEEL HITCH

Moderator edit to re-size picture to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.

Here are some photos. Keep in mind that the front of the companion had sunk into the bed at the front of the base Already. I have only put about 50 miles on it.Moderator edit to re-size picture to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.

You can see the dent right behind the pad. And also the metal is cut from the pad, right underneath.Moderator edit to re-size picture to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.

So, the bed itself isn't flat so the hitch can't sit flat on it, right? weird.Shim it?

B&W And 2015 Chevrolet 3500 ISSUES | Good Sam Community

77 Replies

BarneyS
Explorer III
Nov 04, 2015
With that, it is time to close this thread.
Hdultra8965, check your private messages.
Barney
B_W_Trailer_Hit
Explorer
Nov 04, 2015
Kudos to hdultra8965 for coming to B&W and letting us get to the bottom of the problem.

At the end of the day, the issues he was having were caused by a poor Turnoverball installation. If the hitch isn't squared properly, the Companion won't sit correctly. In this case, the extra length of the Companion Slider magnified the problem.

As we looked at Chevy trucks over the last several weeks, we have seen 'crowns' in some trucks back to 2012 model years. Our Companion 5th wheels can be used in these trucks without concern or modification. ** When the underbed mounting system (Turnoverball) is properly installed!

Thanks!
mkirsch
Nomad II
Nov 04, 2015
SolidAxleDurango wrote:
I think most people read something totally different.

This is what I read:

Hdultra8965 wrote:
After 5 hours of going over my truck. They were able to fix some installation problems created by my installer where I live.

Pretty clear to me that the original installers screwed up the installation. There aren't many ways to screw it up.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Nov 04, 2015
Hdultra8965 wrote:
I will see if I can get B&W to post here again. And let you all know what they found. And how they fixed it.

THAT would be helpful!
Hdultra8965
Explorer
Nov 04, 2015
I will see if I can get B&W to post here again. And let you all know what they found. And how they fixed it.
Hdultra8965
Explorer
Nov 04, 2015
mkirsch wrote:
Dick 641 wrote:
I have a 2015 GMC 3500 an just checked mine is the same way, what was the end fix to get it flat on the bed?

Install it properly.

From what I've read here, it sounds like the installers just slapped the B&W hitch in and tightened the bolts down without making sure the ball was vertical. There is a little slop in the holes and a tiny lean forward or back on the ball would translate into the companion hitch not sitting flat in the bed.

What I would do is install the B&W hitch loosely, install the companion hitch in place to hold the B&W frame in the correct position, and finally tighten up the bolts.

I agree. And they must make sure it is square before tightening as well.
SolidAxleDurang
Explorer II
Nov 04, 2015
mkirsch wrote:
Dick 641 wrote:
I have a 2015 GMC 3500 an just checked mine is the same way, what was the end fix to get it flat on the bed?

Install it properly.

From what I've read here, it sounds like the installers just slapped the B&W hitch in and tightened the bolts down without making sure the ball was vertical. There is a little slop in the holes and a tiny lean forward or back on the ball would translate into the companion hitch not sitting flat in the bed.

What I would do is install the B&W hitch loosely, install the companion hitch in place to hold the B&W frame in the correct position, and finally tighten up the bolts.

I think most people read something totally different.
Hdultra8965
Explorer
Nov 04, 2015
jimd3246 wrote:
Hdultra8965, What is the length and depth of the "sanded" area on the pads. Looking and the height of the crown in my short bed, it looks like I may have to remove about a third of the material, for about 8-10 inches. Does that sound close?

Yes that sounds right. Take a level and move it down the bed to find the start of the crown and then find the peak (Center). And then find where it ends. As far as sanding the pads. I took out about a 1/4 inch on mine.

Sanding the pads help out.

But note that after B&W re adjusted the turnoverball they installed new pads without sanding.

I would call B&W and ask to talk to Beto or the Installation tech there.
I'm sure B&W will put a bulletin out, or something out soon to help out everyone.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Nov 04, 2015
Dick 641 wrote:
I have a 2015 GMC 3500 an just checked mine is the same way, what was the end fix to get it flat on the bed?

Install it properly.

From what I've read here, it sounds like the installers just slapped the B&W hitch in and tightened the bolts down without making sure the ball was vertical. There is a little slop in the holes and a tiny lean forward or back on the ball would translate into the companion hitch not sitting flat in the bed.

What I would do is install the B&W hitch loosely, install the companion hitch in place to hold the B&W frame in the correct position, and finally tighten up the bolts.
jimd3246
Explorer
Nov 03, 2015
Hdultra8965, What is the length and depth of the "sanded" area on the pads. Looking and the height of the crown in my short bed, it looks like I may have to remove about a third of the material, for about 8-10 inches. Does that sound close?