B&W Companion

[slides]

For you folks that have this hitch.
I just installed one on my new to me TV. The operating instructions where not much help in lubrication of this hitch. It has 1 (one) zerk fitting on the side to side pivot and I understand that. And I know that I need to put lube on the part of the jaws that contact the pin on the 5er. Is there anything else that I need to lube?
Thanks in advance for your advise.

[nremtp143]

Here is the one that I took off. See the bolt where it sheared off?

The hole that the bolt goes through is already oval shaped, which may be partially to blame for these failures.

And the new one. Just like the old one. Let's hope this one last for more that three trips.

[nremtp143]

fj12ryder wrote:
It's the little shock absorber type thing on the side of the head that acts when the head tilts side-to-side.

Yep, on the right side underneath the head. It keeps the head level inf side-to-side motion.

[fj12ryder]

It's the little shock absorber type thing on the side of the head that acts when the head tilts side-to-side.

[car2900]

nremtp143 wrote:
I have loved my Companion hitch for years now. I've only had a problem in the last 3 trips. The threaded shaft on the head dampener has sheared off twice now. It's been replaced by B&W with no questions asked, but I just can't figure out what is causing it. I still will not have any other hitch. Love the rugged, yet simplicity of this hitch.

Where or what is the threaded shaft on the head "damper"? I currently have a B&W Patriot but have a Turnover Ball & Companion ordered for a new truck. What are you referring to as the "head damper". Thanks.

[mguay]

d-mac1 wrote:


What are 'the top of the jaw pin heads'? I am envisioning something the jaws pivot on? To date, I've just sprayed dry graphite lube on the jaws, but sounds like I need to do more.

[laknox]

nremtp143 wrote:

laknox wrote:

nremtp143 wrote:
I have loved my Companion hitch for years now. I've only had a problem in the last 3 trips. The threaded shaft on the head dampener has sheared off twice now. It's been replaced by B&W with no questions asked, but I just can't figure out what is causing it. I still will not have any other hitch. Love the rugged, yet simplicity of this hitch.

Did B&W replace the entire damper or just the piston? I'm wondering if the cylinder could be out of round and it's jamming the piston somehow.

Lyle

The entire 'shock' comes as a unit. It has a T on the top with new bolts and a threaded end of the piston with a a new rubber bushing and nut. I believe the hole the piston goes through may be getting out of round and that's what is causing it. When the new one gets here, I will look at it again.

Monty

Thanks, Monty. Feel free to PM me if you tear the old one apart...assuming B&W doesn't want it back. Mines been weeping oil for years and I'll probably pull it off after this trip, and get a new one.

Lyle

[d-mac1]

mguay wrote:


I agree with you about penetrating oil...however after a 2000 mile trip to Florida in March, I couldn't get the jaws on mine to open and had to lift the head off the base with the 5er landing gear to unhitch. A call to B&W and I was asked if I ever sprayed the top of the jaw pin heads with penetrating oil. "Nope, I hate the stuff!" I hit the local HD and bought a can of PB blaster and the rest of the trip it unhooked flawlessly. When I got home I removed the pins and cleaned any lubed them good with Dry Graphite Lube.

What are 'the top of the jaw pin heads'? I am envisioning something the jaws pivot on? To date, I've just sprayed dry graphite lube on the jaws, but sounds like I need to do more.

[nremtp143]

laknox wrote:

nremtp143 wrote:
I have loved my Companion hitch for years now. I've only had a problem in the last 3 trips. The threaded shaft on the head dampener has sheared off twice now. It's been replaced by B&W with no questions asked, but I just can't figure out what is causing it. I still will not have any other hitch. Love the rugged, yet simplicity of this hitch.

Did B&W replace the entire damper or just the piston? I'm wondering if the cylinder could be out of round and it's jamming the piston somehow.

Lyle

The entire 'shock' comes as a unit. It has a T on the top with new bolts and a threaded end of the piston with a a new rubber bushing and nut. I believe the hole the piston goes through may be getting out of round and that's what is causing it. When the new one gets here, I will look at it again.

Monty

[mguay]

kroghville wrote:
I just grease the zerk, apply a light coat on the jaws and the poly bushings. I sort of cringe whenever I hear someone say to lubricate something with penetrating oil as nearly all penetrating oils only lubricate while they are wet. Instead try a silicone spray or a very light oil such as 3in1 oil, sewing machine oil etc.

I agree with you about penetrating oil...however after a 2000 mile trip to Florida in March, I couldn't get the jaws on mine to open and had to lift the head off the base with the 5er landing gear to unhitch. A call to B&W and I was asked if I ever sprayed the top of the jaw pin heads with penetrating oil. "Nope, I hate the stuff!" I hit the local HD and bought a can of PB blaster and the rest of the trip it unhooked flawlessly. When I got home I removed the pins and cleaned any lubed them good with Dry Graphite Lube.

[slides]

Thanks for all the replies. Hitch all lubed up and ready to go. It's amazing how much information I get off of these forums.

[BlindGuynAR]

nremtp143 wrote:
I have loved my Companion hitch for years now. I've only had a problem in the last 3 trips. The threaded shaft on the head dampener has sheared off twice now. It's been replaced by B&W with no questions asked, but I just can't figure out what is causing it. I still will not have any other hitch. Love the rugged, yet simplicity of this hitch.

This happened to me a month ago as well. Same no questions asked replacement. Hope it doesn't occur again.

[laknox]

d-mac1 wrote:

sdetweil wrote:

d-mac1 wrote:
Theres a zerk? Where? Had mine 3 years, never seen a zerk and the instructions don't say anything about it.

I too use a lube plate, but for the kingpin and jaws, I've got a dry graphite (if I remember correctly) spray lube and I don't end up with a greasy, dirty mess. I'll hafta look at the can cuz I forget exactly what the brand is.

see page 2, right side,
companion installation & maint doc

Thanks! Will hafta take a look under there tonight! I swear my maintenance instructions don't say anything about it...perhaps I missed it tho cuz its just in the pic and not the written instructions.

The lube I use on the kingpin and jaws is called Slip Plate. Its in a green and yellow spray can and the can says heavy duty dry film graphite coating that won't attract dirt or water.

As mentioned previously, I use a teflon disk on top of the hitch plate.

The only issue I've had with mine has been that the drawdown and/or U bolts strip after repeated installation and removal of the hitch. And yes, I torque them to spec 40 and 80 lbs respectively. I've taken to going a little light on the torque to see if it helps. Anybody else with this issue?

The u-bolts are almost "normal wear" items, like brake shoes. It's inevitable that nylock nuts will eventually do this as the nylon wears with repeated use. It tears off and jams up the threads. It usually only happens 1 at a time, but B&W will replace the set for free, and usually with o/n shipping. I have a couple of the old ones in my FW as "just in case" insurance if I have to remove the hitch and one strips. I simply use a breaker bar and cheater to simply twist the nuts off.

Never had an issue with the drawdown bolt.

Lyle

[laknox]

nremtp143 wrote:
I have loved my Companion hitch for years now. I've only had a problem in the last 3 trips. The threaded shaft on the head dampener has sheared off twice now. It's been replaced by B&W with no questions asked, but I just can't figure out what is causing it. I still will not have any other hitch. Love the rugged, yet simplicity of this hitch.

Did B&W replace the entire damper or just the piston? I'm wondering if the cylinder could be out of round and it's jamming the piston somehow.

Lyle

[d-mac1]

sdetweil wrote:

d-mac1 wrote:
Theres a zerk? Where? Had mine 3 years, never seen a zerk and the instructions don't say anything about it.

I too use a lube plate, but for the kingpin and jaws, I've got a dry graphite (if I remember correctly) spray lube and I don't end up with a greasy, dirty mess. I'll hafta look at the can cuz I forget exactly what the brand is.

see page 2, right side,
companion installation & maint doc

Thanks! Will hafta take a look under there tonight! I swear my maintenance instructions don't say anything about it...perhaps I missed it tho cuz its just in the pic and not the written instructions.

The lube I use on the kingpin and jaws is called Slip Plate. Its in a green and yellow spray can and the can says heavy duty dry film graphite coating that won't attract dirt or water.

As mentioned previously, I use a teflon disk on top of the hitch plate.

The only issue I've had with mine has been that the drawdown and/or U bolts strip after repeated installation and removal of the hitch. And yes, I torque them to spec 40 and 80 lbs respectively. I've taken to going a little light on the torque to see if it helps. Anybody else with this issue?