B&W Companion Hitch w/Bedrug

[Gordon_R]

Question for those that have the above.

I pick up my new Arctic Fox 29-5L trailer this Wednesday. I will be having the B&W installed the same time.

Is it safe to run with this hitch on top of the bedbug? I'd hate to have to cut a huge square out of the middle to accommodate the hitch when towing, and then have to patch it back in when the hitch is not in the truck.

If it's safe, then I could just cut out a circle where the pin goes through the truck bed.

Thoughts?

My spidey senses are to keep the frame of the hitch firmly against the steel.

[Addy15]

We were advised against putting the B&W on top of the bed mat. If DH decides to cut a hole in the bed mat so we can have it in there when the hitch is in, we will probably be buying a second bed mat for use when the hitch is not in.

[Gordon_R]

aviator41 wrote:
I called B&W directly to find out what they recommend and why. Their Recommendation is to cut the bed rug to ensure the tightest possible fit between the hitch and the bed/turnover ball frame. The idea is that they don't want any flex points that could allow the bolt you torque to 60lbs to work loose at all. They don't want to risk the pin having any "slack" at all that could allow to beat itself to death in the turnover ball socket.

Cut the bed mat. if you want, keep the pieces and put them in place when you're not running with the hitch installed. For me, that was too much work.

Excellent advise. That is what my spidey senses were telling me, and you confirmed that this is the way to go. I took the bed rug out already. Going to clean the deck so when they do the install, there will be no grit to get ground into the paint unnecessarily.

I will take measurements when it's done, cut the bedbug and apply some small pieces of velcro so that when the hitch is not installed, I can replace the cut out portion.

I pick up my Arctic Fox tomorrow, along with having the B&W Companion installed.

[aviator41]

I called B&W directly to find out what they recommend and why. Their Recommendation is to cut the bed rug to ensure the tightest possible fit between the hitch and the bed/turnover ball frame. The idea is that they don't want any flex points that could allow the bolt you torque to 60lbs to work loose at all. They don't want to risk the pin having any "slack" at all that could allow to beat itself to death in the turnover ball socket.

Cut the bed mat. if you want, keep the pieces and put them in place when you're not running with the hitch installed. For me, that was too much work.

[Gordon_R]

Durb wrote:
You can use an 18k Patriot with standard bed rails. I cut out rectangles in my BedRug to fit tightly around the rails. This works particularly well with the thick BedRug as stuff like lumber just slides over the rails when loading. Almost like a flat floor; I said almost.

Congratulations on the new trailer.

Thank You. I'm really looking forward to it. The Companion has most of the hard mounts on the chassis rather then in the bed. The strong point is through a single hole in the middle of the bed, so when you take the hitch out, there are no rails in the bed. I will get some extra velcro and just replace the large square back in place when the hitch is not in the bed.

[Durb]

You can use an 18k Patriot with standard bed rails. I cut out rectangles in my BedRug to fit tightly around the rails. This works particularly well with the thick BedRug as stuff like lumber just slides over the rails when loading. Almost like a flat floor; I said almost.

Congratulations on the new trailer.

[Gordon_R]

AZ T&T wrote:
I initially installed mine on top of a heavy rubber bed mat. Ended up cutting a hole in it. There was just too much movement after the mat started flattening out.

Good enough for me. Will be cutting it. Better safe then sorry.

[Retired_JSO]

I used a companion on a rubber bed mat for 5 years with no problems. Just make sure you torque the u-bolts to specs.

[AZ_T_T]

I initially installed mine on top of a heavy rubber bed mat. Ended up cutting a hole in it. There was just too much movement after the mat started flattening out.