B & W Hitch

[Golden_boys]

Need some info if anyone has installed a bed saver onto the B & W Companion Hitch. We have the hitch that was made for the Ford truck. Thank you Semper FI

[ricatic]

I maintain that high hitching the B&W is impossible...missing the hitch completely with the kingpin is possible if you have the trailer 3 or 4 inches above the locking jaws...or the hitching person did not look at or attempt to place the safety pin in the locking lever...

This is fact...the locking lever is self closing on the B&W. It is impossible for the kingpin to enter the locking mechanism at any height other than optimal without completely closing the locking/release lever. The handle automatically and visually rotates about 90 degrees to the closed position...if the handle does not close to a point where a little push to adjust for the locking pin is all that may be required to insert this pin, the hitch is not closed...by a large margin...use the hitch one time, correctly, and it becomes obvious that an unbroken hitch, can not be slightly mis-hitched...

Regards

[Cummins12V98]

kennethwooster wrote:
I bought a B&W setup for the Ford kit. The installer was very good about telling me how to use the hitch. Said he explained the to one couple and they did a very high hitch, and dropped the trailer. I always start with the trailer just low enough to catch the lower lip of the hitch. It picks the trailer up some, but guarantees correct connection. I noticed the bed saver bolts to that lip which would make it hard to hatch they way I like to hitch. I do a pull test each time, even though I know I hitched it each time. Did the same with Pullright and Reese. B&W is the best hitch I ever used. Hitch per instructions, and you will not drop the trailer.

Your example of how the installer explained to a person on how to hitch and the did a very high hitch is why I don't believe any of these stories because if the bottom of the kingpin is sitting on the top of the 1" thick jaws the space between the plates will be a full 2" with the B&W, I just measured mine. So if someone even looked they would know it would not stay connected. The hitches with thin jaws are more likely to be dropped because the space between the plates is thinner but still there is a space of about 1 1/2" and never should happen!

BTW if your RV is not secured by hitting the lower edge of the hitch you could easily push it off the blocks.

I back under so the hitch and kingpin box are close then adjust the hight of the RV so the plates are in the same plane or pinbox slightly lower then back up and latch.

[Merlot]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
For those that don't have a B&W do your pull test! I used to with the RBW I had. When you actually use a B&W and look at the simplicity of the latching system and the thick wrap around jaws you will understand the only test you need to do is with your EYES. Yes that is a TEST.

Back under get out and close the latching arm and LOCK it. Now LOOK to see if the hitch and kingpin plates are touching. Now LOOK to see if the 1" thick bright silver jaws are wrapped around the kingpin. That is the ONLY test needed with a B&W.

Ok flame on B&W critics!

Thats exactly the way I do it. No poblems with over ten years towing. The B&W is the only hitch I've had or will have.

[kennethwooster]

I bought a B&W setup for the Ford kit. The installer was very good about telling me how to use the hitch. Said he explained the to one couple and they did a very high hitch, and dropped the trailer. I always start with the trailer just low enough to catch the lower lip of the hitch. It picks the trailer up some, but guarantees correct connection. I noticed the bed saver bolts to that lip which would make it hard to hatch they way I like to hitch. I do a pull test each time, even though I know I hitched it each time. Did the same with Pullright and Reese. B&W is the best hitch I ever used. Hitch per instructions, and you will not drop the trailer.

[fj12ryder]

If you feel better with the bed saver then all is well. Some of us just feel that the money spent on a bed saver with a B&W hitch could be spent on fuel instead. 🙂

[Cummins12V98]

Blizardj wrote:
I have the B&W OEM on my F350 and the Blue OX bed saver.

I do not wear a belt and suspenders... As impossible as that sounds.

John

Good call on the B&W!

Not so much on the Blue OX 😉

[Blizardj]

I have the B&W OEM on my F350 and the Blue OX bed saver.

I do not wear a belt and suspenders... As impossible as that sounds.

John

[Cummins12V98]

WeBeFulltimers wrote:
I believe anyone who would have a bed saver with their B & W hitch would also wear a belt AND suspenders with their pants!

Sweet!

[WeBeFulltimers]

I believe anyone who would have a bed saver with their B & W hitch would also wear a belt AND suspenders with their pants!

[oilslick]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
For those that don't have a B&W do your pull test! I used to with the RBW I had. When you actually use a B&W and look at the simplicity of the latching system and the thick wrap around jaws you will understand the only test you need to do is with your EYES. Yes that is a TEST.

Back under get out and close the latching arm and LOCK it. Now LOOK to see if the hitch and kingpin plates are touching. Now LOOK to see if the 1" thick bright silver jaws are wrapped around the kingpin. That is the ONLY test needed with a B&W.

Ok flame on B&W critics!

Like he says.. you can SEE the jaws wrapped around the pin and if you can't see the jaws you probably shouldn't be driving let alone towing.:)

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
For those that don't have a B&W do your pull test! I used to with the RBW I had. When you actually use a B&W and look at the simplicity of the latching system and the thick wrap around jaws you will understand the only test you need to do is with your EYES. Yes that is a TEST.

Back under get out and close the latching arm and LOCK it. Now LOOK to see if the hitch and kingpin plates are touching. Now LOOK to see if the 1" thick bright silver jaws are wrapped around the kingpin. That is the ONLY test needed with a B&W.

Ok flame on B&W critics!

I am no critic of the B&W ,but I am a critic of this nonsense you guys put out about something magic about the B&W, I do notice you quit saying foolproof, that took a few challenges to get that stopped.

Let me repeat as you have done several times about the B&W, my hitch has a 1" wrap around jaw that is very visible when I am hooked up, I can visually see the two mated together no problem with hi pinning IF I am paying attention, and also the latching arm IS closed on mine when backed into, all I have to do is lock it. Do I really need to do a pul test , no ,but I do anyway.

[cummins2014]

fj12ryder wrote:
The point is that a bed saver is a waste of money with a B&W hitch. Obviously a person can screw up anything if they work at it hard enough, but the odds of it happening with a B&W hitch are huge. You have to work at it to drop your 5th wheel with a B&W hitch.

If you're paying attention it is impossible to "hi pin" a B&W hitch, pure and simple. Notice the wording: "If you're paying attention". You simply cannot "hi pin" it without it being impossible to miss "If you're paying attention".

I suppose I could drive off without being aware that I've left my 5th wheel behind, but I guess it could happen...just like "hi pinning" a B&W hitch and not being aware of it. 🙂

Here is a question for you with this hi pinning, how in the world do you separate a B&W from hi pinning from any other hitch, they are either mated together or they are not, and it is just as visible with any hitch if you are paying attention. Key words here paying attention. It is impossible to hi hitch any of the hitches if you are paying attention, its a visual thing ,and B&W is no exception.

The crazy thing I hear about the B&W is if the latch is closed ,and the safety pin is in It is hooked, same as mine I back in the latch locks shut I pin ,and off I go. Please tell me what makes either special other then are doing what they are designed to do. There is no way in the world that I can keep my latch locked open as you can with the B&W, mine has no choice but to lock closed when backed into.

[ependydad]

fj12ryder wrote:
The fifth wheel latch kit is just one more thing to remember. If you are going to have a bed saver it needs to be automatic.

Agreed. That is the fundamental difference between Butch's 5th Wheel Latch and the Blue Ox Bed Saver. (There's also a 5x difference in price between the two.) In my opinion, if you're going to go down this route- there is no reason to not go with something automatic (e.g. the Blue Ox Bed Saver).

Both are made for B&W hitches.

(For the record- I have neither.)

[Cummins12V98]

For those that don't have a B&W do your pull test! I used to with the RBW I had. When you actually use a B&W and look at the simplicity of the latching system and the thick wrap around jaws you will understand the only test you need to do is with your EYES. Yes that is a TEST.

Back under get out and close the latching arm and LOCK it. Now LOOK to see if the hitch and kingpin plates are touching. Now LOOK to see if the 1" thick bright silver jaws are wrapped around the kingpin. That is the ONLY test needed with a B&W.

Ok flame on B&W critics!

[Cummins12V98]

ricatic wrote:
I have been down this road. When we bought our Big Horn, it was our first fifth wheel... The truck we bought to pull it already had a B&W Turnover Ball Gooseneck hitch installed. After only a bit of research, we bought the Companion to go with it. I then proceeded to talk myself into the Bedsaver...after only a very short time. realized that the design of the Companion makes high hitching the fiver virtually impossible...if the jaws close and you can put the safety pin in the hitch, it is hitched...period...cutting to the chase, I would not buy a Bedsaver today to put on a Companion...

Regards

Can i have a AMEN!!!