Question for B&W owner

[tvfrfireman]

We have a B&W hitch with a companion that is rated at 18 thousand pounds. We have a larger trailer now which is close to 18K. I noticed on B$W's web site their Companion Hitch is now rated at 22K. I don't really understand the site and am wondering if I upgrade. Will I just need the head or the complete companion? Will the part of the B&W under the bed need to be replaced? I am hoping one of you is well versed in this and can give me a few answers. Thanks for you time and best regards, David

[Miles_Away]

B & W customer service is one of the best. CALL THEM!

[Cummins12V98]

fj12ryder wrote:
"If it makes you "feel" better get the base. tweets.com is a great place to buy B&W."

Did you mean "Tweetys ?

Yes, Thanks!

[laknox]

Frankly, if your FW's GVW is under 18k, then you should have no issues with your current Companion. If your FW's GVW is at or just over, 18k, then get the new base.

Lyle

[tvfrfireman]

fj12ryder wrote:
I don't mean to state the obvious, but why not contact B&W? They are the only ones who can give you a definitive answer. What you get on here are going to be mostly opinions, and perhaps some facts. Then you will have to decide if those "facts" are the unadulterated truth, or someones misunderstood "facts".

Don't mess with the forum, go straight to the horse's mouth. They will give you the necessary information and won't lead you astray.

My opinion anyway. 🙂

Thanks for your response. You are right about going to B&W. It was Friday night and my curiosity got the best of me and thought maybe another had done this. I will call them Monday. Thanks again for your time.

[fj12ryder]

"If it makes you "feel" better get the base. tweets.com is a great place to buy B&W."

Did you mean "Tweetys ?

[Cummins12V98]

It's just replacing the base to get from 18-20K. Our RV is at or above 18K. I have the 18K rated base. I am not in the least worried being at or a touch over since B&W under rates their products for a huge safety factor. Just compare a B&W to any other hitch and you will come to the same conclusion.

If you don't have the plastic strips under your base that fill in the void in the bed corrugation I would highly contacting B&W they will send them for free. The RAM bed does not line up well with the base as the strong part of the base sits over a valley in the bed.

If it makes you "feel" better get the base. tweets.com is a great place to buy B&W.

[retispcsi]

I had a B&W model 3300 in my 2012 Ram which had a 20K rating. I bought the 2014 Ram and it had the factory installed undermount. So I had to upgrade the base and as per B&W kept the head as it was the same. The new set up is rated at 26K. That being said call B & W they are nice folks and will give you the correct advice.

[fj12ryder]

I don't mean to state the obvious, but why not contact B&W? They are the only ones who can give you a definitive answer. What you get on here are going to be mostly opinions, and perhaps some facts. Then you will have to decide if those "facts" are the unadulterated truth, or someones misunderstood "facts".

Don't mess with the forum, go straight to the horse's mouth. They will give you the necessary information and won't lead you astray.

My opinion anyway. 🙂

[glazier]

If you have a turnover ball under bed mount you can get a 20k Companion. Your under bed rails will still work, I would assume you can still use your head coupler. You will probably only need a new hitch base to get the 20K rating, I would confirm that with B&W.