Forum Discussion

Only_True_Mosno's avatar
Only_True_Mosno
Explorer
Mar 27, 2018

New B&W Companion Slider - Trouble Removing?

So I had a B&W Hitch installed at the B&W Factory in Humboldt, KS. yesterday. The reason I point out the installation place is because I’m confident it has been installed properly. I am trying to remove it from my truck to put it in storage until I need it.

Here’s my problem...first I had a very hard time loosening the down bolt. Finally after a lot of torquing I was able to get it loose.

I was able to pull the release handle under the truck after bolt was loosened.

So I am ready to lift out of truck bed...not happening. It seems like it is cemented to the bed! I do have a new truck with a new linex liner. I called the factory and asked for any tips, or what the problem might be. The tech told me it is probably the thick powder coat on the hitch causing it to stick. He said after towing it should loosen up over time. He also suggested I slam the slider forward to see if it would break the seal. It didn’t work. Seems reasonable it would be a snug fit, but I need the use of my truck bed now. Has anyone else that purchased the B&W Slider had this problem? I couldn’t get it to budge. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I live 4 hours away from the factory so that idea is out. Thanks!
  • jglow27's avatar
    jglow27
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2018
    Yes, the head comes off, which I can lift. The base gets stuck in the square hole. I'm hoping it gets easier after a few installs. We need more than graphite powder here in Wisconsin. They salt the roads heavy in winter, which is about nine months out of the year. My turn over ball rusts in without a thick coat of anti seize.
  • mtofell1's avatar
    mtofell1
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2018
    Make sure the hitch is in the forward position when trying to remove it. I've tried lifting mine with the 5th jacks when it's slid back and it binds due to a slightly offset angle.
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Apr 03, 2018
    jglow27 wrote:
    This post could have been written by me, as I recently have had the exact issue with my new B&W slider. I did the install myself, and issue with removal.

    I also ran into a problem with our plastic bed liner. The instructions state that the bed liner must be removed so that the Companion base sits directly on the truck bed. Spray in bed liners are ok. I cut two strips of bed liner out under where the base rests. Well, that wasn't enough, because the remaining plastic bed liner under the Companion interfered with the slide lock mechanism. I had to remove the Companion and the cut out the plastic under the whole Companion assembly.

    For hitch removal, I picked up a cheep harbor freight 1 ton chain hoist chained to my garage truss rafters. I spanned an 8 foot 2x8" across the rafters to reinforce. Use a pry bad to loosen the hitch after lifting force is applied. I don't see how it would be humanly possible to lift the hitch without mechanics.

    Also, make sure that you lube the square tube that goes into the truck bed. I lathered it up with anti seize compound, but the factory rep suggested lithium grease.


    You =do= remember that the hitch comes apart in 2 pieces, right? :B I thought about lubing my tube (and the GN ball when the hitch is out), but I =use= my truck bed for lots of other stuff and the dirt that gets in the hole just binds things up even worse. Maybe some graphite powder would work...

    Lyle
  • Toolguy5's avatar
    Toolguy5
    Explorer III
    Apr 03, 2018
    On mine sometimes the release pin will not stay released. I usually pull it out and put vise grips on it to keep it from going back in.
    I made an A frame to put a come a long on it it to pull the hitch. The first time I pulled it was tough. The manual said to use white lithium grease.
  • jglow27's avatar
    jglow27
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2018
    This post could have been written by me, as I recently have had the exact issue with my new B&W slider. I did the install myself, and issue with removal.

    I also ran into a problem with our plastic bed liner. The instructions state that the bed liner must be removed so that the Companion base sits directly on the truck bed. Spray in bed liners are ok. I cut two strips of bed liner out under where the base rests. Well, that wasn't enough, because the remaining plastic bed liner under the Companion interfered with the slide lock mechanism. I had to remove the Companion and the cut out the plastic under the whole Companion assembly.

    For hitch removal, I picked up a cheep harbor freight 1 ton chain hoist chained to my garage truss rafters. I spanned an 8 foot 2x8" across the rafters to reinforce. Use a pry bad to loosen the hitch after lifting force is applied. I don't see how it would be humanly possible to lift the hitch without mechanics.

    Also, make sure that you lube the square tube that goes into the truck bed. I lathered it up with anti seize compound, but the factory rep suggested lithium grease.
  • 4bearhug's avatar
    4bearhug
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2018
    I don't have a slider but I always lift mine out with the the front leg jacks of the 5th wheel. Nice and easy way to get it out and saves you a back breaking job. Mine will get stuck tight occasionally where it will start to pull up the bed of the truck instead of the hitch. Easiest fix for that is start the engine and put it in drive and/or reverse and just ease off the brake enough to allow truck to move slightly. That always does the trick in freeing up the bind. Hitch just lifts right out then and you can take it off king pin or leave it hang.
  • Halmfamily's avatar
    Halmfamily
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2018
    I don't have the slider but to get our Companion out I stick a pry bar under the front to "pop" it loose. Mind you, I have a bed liner and only remove it once or twice a year.
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Mar 27, 2018
    I have the old-school Companion, with the u-bolts around the vertical tube, and it can sometimes be a pain to get them loose enough to release so I can get the locking pin loose. Once it's loose, it comes out easily enough. I have a cheapo engine hoist that I sometimes use to pull it out as a complete unit, then set it on a furniture dolly.

    Lyle
  • garyp4951's avatar
    garyp4951
    Explorer III
    Mar 27, 2018
    You can hook it back to the 5W, and use the 5W jacks to loosen it up. When mine stuck I used a crow bar to pry up each side a little at a time placing shims under it.
    Mine stuck a few times when it was new, but I also keep it lubed now, and have a hoist in the garage.
  • dmck413's avatar
    dmck413
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2018
    I don't have the slider but do have the Companion. I lay a 4x4 across the bed rails and pull it loose with a ratchet strap. Easier if you take the top off first.

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