Forum Discussion

RRinNFla's avatar
RRinNFla
Explorer
Sep 28, 2022

B&W Companion question

Just finished a 3 week road trip with my 2022 F250 and new companion hitch. Much smoother ride than my old Pullrite slider.

But, on a couple of occasions I had trouble opening the jaws. In one instance I was backing uphill into the campsite and when I put the TV into park it moved slightly downhill. I had DW get in the cab, put TV into Reverses and was able to release jaws once forward pressure was removed.

In the second instance, on level ground, after I got my rig in the spot I wanted and put landing gear down, I was maybe 3 to 5 degrees away from having TV and rig in alignment. I could not open the jaws, so I had to raise the landing gear, pull forward and then back up till TV and rig were perfectly aligned. Then I could open the jaws.

I was used to the Pullrite being more forgiving on angles. Any suggestions from experienced Companion owners,
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Sep 28, 2022
    Due to the cam action of the jaws, the pin will keep them in the wrap around position, with pull/tension against them. In my experience, locking the handle open with pin, will still allow jaws to release, even though they are wrapped around yet. You just need to have landing gear down, pull ahead. Mine will open, and yours should too.

    Your Companion should allow hitching/unhitching at normal angles, and be MORE forgiving than most.

    Jerry
  • corvettekent's avatar
    corvettekent
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2022
    I have had mine bind when trying to unhitch, when this happens, I leave the landing gear down and put the transmission in neutral to release the pressure on the hitch.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Sep 28, 2022
    Lock handle in open position and pull away. Be sure to remove the locking pin as soon as possible!!!

    Your President of the "B&W HeavyWeight FanBoy Club".
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Sep 29, 2022
    ford truck guy wrote:
    ^^ what the Prez said ! ! ! :B


    Sucking up again I see. :B
  • blofgren's avatar
    blofgren
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2022
    X2 on pinning the handle open. It will release even though the jaws are still wrapped around the pin; I just had to do this on this past weekend when camping.

    I also agree with removing the pin right away afterwards; when hooking up to leave my hitch wouldn't latch until I realized that it was still pinned open....:S
  • GIB2's avatar
    GIB2
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2022
    Lock handle in open position and pull away. Be sure to remove the locking pin as soon as possible!!!

    Your President of the "B&W HeavyWeight FanBoy Club".

    2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
    37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

    "HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600
    I've had B&W for close to ten years and didn't know that invaluable info. Thank you for sharing that . It's pretty straight forward when you know . I don't know you other than on this sight. People could learn a lot from you if they chose to listen rather than saving a couple of dollars.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Oct 04, 2022
    " I don't know you other than on this sight. People could learn a lot from you if they chose to listen rather than saving a couple of dollars."

    Thanks!

    I didn't just happen to become a "B&W FanBoy" a friend kept praising his B&W setup and I finally listened and the rest is history some 20 years ago!.

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