B&W Conpanion hitch to low

Well if I lowered my 5th wheel back to stock and didn't tow it nose high I would have 2" of clearance from my bed rail. It's been towed all over the country for 13 years properly set up without a single stability problem. I guess the more logical explanation is here is a perfect example of why the latest B&W Companion base is raised over 2" from the old model. Thanks for the advice I have 2 solutions to my existing problem.

mdamerell wrote:

the1adman wrote:
The 5th wheel does have the axles flipped so it sits higher.

I'd start by putting the 5er back to it's original height. But that's just me....

Good luck.

Agreed!

Anything lifted is less stable. The evidence is laying along I-10 every weekend with lifted trucks towing 5er's or TT's. Trucks nose in the air and azz low, RV nose low and azz high. Makes for a great combo with the winds they have around the PalmSprings area.

the1adman wrote:
The 5th wheel does have the axles flipped so it sits higher.

I'd start by putting the 5er back to it's original height. But that's just me....

Good luck.

Rusty yes I have 8" clearance at the bed when level. The Dodge just sat about 2-3" higher than the Ford. The 5th wheel does have the axles flipped so it sits higher. It was a perfect combo on the Dodge. Both are stock 4x4 but between the suspension and 265/70/17 vs 235/85/16 the Dodge bed height was perfect. No big deal just was hoping for a easy, quick inexpensive fix as opposed to replacing the base, lifting the truck or lowering the 5th wheel.

the1adman wrote:
Think I will put the 2 1/2" lift on the truck instead since it sits a little low for my liking.

If that will fix the problem, then it sounds to me like the TRUCK was too low rather than the hitch, or the trailer is too high on the suspension relative to the truck.

If you have 6" (minimum) between the 5th wheel overhang and bed rails, then the clearance adjustments at the pin box and hitch are doing their job, right?

Rusty

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I contacted B&W and the new replacement base is the only way to get the additional height from the 5th wheel hitch. Think I will put the 2 1/2" lift on the truck instead since it sits a little low for my liking.

You can purchase the base only for the new 20,000/5,000 lb rated RVK3500 Companion and use your existing hitch head from your 18,000 lb rated Companion 5th wheel hitch. That's what I did when we upgraded to our current 19,000 lb GVWR Mobile Suites. The instructions for assembling the new RVK3500 along with the different adjustments and resulting dimensions are shown HERE - dimensions on page 2. I don't know if this will get you what you need, but you might want to check it out as it's MUCH less expensive than buying the complete RVK3500.

Unless my memory fails me, the part number for the base kit was RVB3500.

Rusty

You can buy a new base only, but I don't think it will give you 2 inches. I believe curt makes unit that will install in the gooseneck so you can install a hitch on standard rails. You also could use a pin box to ball connector if you are comfortable with that.

Simple answer, contact B&W.