Help with Companion Pivot Arm position Please

[CurtisFamily]

Installing our new B & W Companion today. In the instructions I get 9 options for where to mount the Pivot arm for different vertical and horizontal positions. I can figure out the vertical placement so that we end up with a level trailer when towing and adequate clearance above the bed. However, do I want my Kingpin 3" behind the post, 5" behind the post, or 7" behind the post. We have an 8 foot bed, so I'm not concerned about clearing the cab, but do I want the kingpin closer to the cab or closer to the tailgate? What is the difference? Ride? Thanks in advance for the opinions.

[sdetweil]

when I installed my Patriot hitch last year, I sent a note off to B&W on this very question.. their response was

"The different position for the arms is for better turning clearance on different truck and trailers. If you have a long bed I would move the arms as far forward. "

I have a longbed dually, so I sent them all the way forward.

[nole_trainer]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I would install the support posts exactly opposite as shown in the pic above. He is all the way back. He is actually removing weight from his front axles. Proper placement is 2" ahead of center of rear axle. With mine full forward I am only adding about 120# to the front tires. So put the vertical edge to the front of the truck as far forward as possible. I have a bike rack mounted to the kingpin and have no clearance issues with the cab clearance.

Thanks. Also thinking about a kingpin rack from arvika, pricey but seem to the job. Will wait a see if I can fit 4 bikes inside first.

[Cummins12V98]

I would install the support posts exactly opposite as shown in the pic above. He is all the way back. He is actually removing weight from his front axles. Proper placement is 2" ahead of center of rear axle. With mine full forward I am only adding about 120# to the front tires. So put the vertical edge to the front of the truck as far forward as possible. I have a bike rack mounted to the kingpin and have no clearance issues with the cab clearance.

[nole_trainer]

Jump on this thread to maybe get some help/advice. I have a 2014 F350, LB, 4x2. Installing B&W before I pick up Wildcat 312QBX in about a month. Where should I start my position(s)? I like the bike rack like nremtp143 has, if I install something like this does it affect my horz adjustment? Should I just install in middle vert position and change if necessary when I pick up unit? Thanks...

[nremtp143]

Here is the pic I promised you guys. This is the way the hitch has been setup for over 2 years now. Tows just fine and only takes 80 pounds off of front tires when loaded according to CAT Scales.

[glazier]

If not setup properly they will damage your truck bed. Big dips in and out of fuel stations will get the bottom of your fifth wheel close to your bed. You better believe all that tow fifth wheels are aware of the potential for damage hitting the bottom of your fiver can do.

[CurtisFamily]

Thanks again everyone for the input. Over the weekend I drove down and picked up my father in law's trailer to get some work done on it. My first fifth wheel tow. What an eye opener! Towed like a dream. Difference in towing was like night and day between this truck and trailer vs. the suburban and bumper pull toy hauler. Backing was a whole different story, but that's another thread. And I was so nervous with every corner or dip in the road that I was going to hit a bed rail or catch the rear of the truck on the trailer that I was wishing the hitch was set up as high and as far back as possible. Anyone else get nervous with their trailer damaging their truck?

[nremtp143]

Jamway, sorry for that pic, but it is all the way back now. Will try to post another pic tomorrow when I get home. I didn't even realize that I posted my '10 dually, however, with 3100 pounds in the bed I'have no control issues with the front end. Even before I put the bags on. I do realize what you are saying and I weighed it that way and only took 80 pounds from the front. If even 1/3 of that was put on the bumper it would make a tremendous difference, but not that much in the bed.

Monty

[jamway]

nremtp143 wrote:

AZ T&T wrote:
Mine is set at the farthest back position, to give me the most clearance from the cab, and it tows like a champ!

Mine is all the way back too. This allows the bike rack to miss my tool box when it's all loaded. But I do have air bags which help tremendously. All 3 of my buddies with B&Ws pull with their hitches all the way back. I am the only one with a long bed.

The hitch in the picture is not set all the way back.

The uprights on the side can be turned around and it will set the trailer about 2 or 3 inches farther back. In other words move the one on the left side to the right side and the one on the right to left.

After you move the uprights all the way back you may want to weigh your rig to see if that takes weight off the front wheels and gives you less control.

[nremtp143]

AZ T&T wrote:
Mine is set at the farthest back position, to give me the most clearance from the cab, and it tows like a champ!

Mine is all the way back too. This allows the bike rack to miss my tool box when it's all loaded. But I do have air bags which help tremendously. All 3 of my buddies with B&Ws pull with their hitches all the way back. I am the only one with a long bed.

[johntank]

CurtisFamily wrote:
Installing our new B & W Companion today. In the instructions I get 9 options for where to mount the Pivot arm for different vertical and horizontal positions. I can figure out the vertical placement so that we end up with a level trailer when towing and adequate clearance above the bed. However, do I want my Kingpin 3" behind the post, 5" behind the post, or 7" behind the post. We have an 8 foot bed, so I'm not concerned about clearing the cab, but do I want the kingpin closer to the cab or closer to the tailgate? What is the difference? Ride? Thanks in advance for the opinions.

Measure the distance from the king pin back to the vertical of your 5er, next take this measurement from each corner (bumper) of your tow vehicle add 2" to 3" for clearance and this is the minimum of where the king pin needs to be.
I have a long bed Dodge and mine is back as far as possible and I still don't have but 3+/-" in a normal turn. Hope this helps.

[goducks10]

I have the Patriot which IIRC has the same type pivot arms. I have mine mounted so the pin center is about 1.5" forward of the axle. The pivot arms are mounted so the straighter part is facing forward and in the forward most set of holes. The more angled side of the pivot arm is facing rearward. This puts the pin center closer to the cab.

[AZ_T_T]

Mine is set at the farthest back position, to give me the most clearance from the cab, and it tows like a champ!

[laknox]

CurtisFamily wrote:
Installing our new B & W Companion today. In the instructions I get 9 options for where to mount the Pivot arm for different vertical and horizontal positions. I can figure out the vertical placement so that we end up with a level trailer when towing and adequate clearance above the bed. However, do I want my Kingpin 3" behind the post, 5" behind the post, or 7" behind the post. We have an 8 foot bed, so I'm not concerned about clearing the cab, but do I want the kingpin closer to the cab or closer to the tailgate? What is the difference? Ride? Thanks in advance for the opinions.

On my '02 2500HD D'max, I'm supposed to be about 1-1.5" forward of the rear axle centerline. I'm in the furthest forward and highest holes with 265 instead of 245 tires. This puts me about 2-3" nose high while towing, but I'll trade that for the bed clearance, since I go off-road a bit. I would not want a pin behind the axle unless I had a much bigger truck. You =can= swap sides (or at least my model of Companion you could) with the vertical side pieces to change positions, too.

Lyle