Used b&w companion hitch, things to look for?

[KMLsquared]

I'm going to be purchasing a used companion hitch tomarow and I was curious what kind of things I need to look for. Any known issues or problems anybody has encountered? I know they are very well respected hitches, has anybody had any trouble at all?

Tia!

[Pete_k]

There nice hitches, but will be taking mine out and putting my TS3 trail saver on this truck. Used the Companion this season, and like the no slack or movement like the other hitches. But its not my TS3 for sure.
Pete

[laknox]

KMLsquared wrote:
Thanks for all the advice guys, I will look into the U bolts. I went and picked it up this morning and other than some cobwebs it is in new condition. I got an amazing deal on it.

Problem with the u-bolts is that, after you take it out a bunch of times, the nylock nuts will start to come apart and jam up the threads. You end up having to cut the bolts or use my method and put a cheater on my breaker bar and just twist 'em off. 🙂 IMO, this is the only real weakness of the system.

Lyle

[KMLsquared]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I will look into the U bolts. I went and picked it up this morning and other than some cobwebs it is in new condition. I got an amazing deal on it.

[laknox]

ChopperBill wrote:

laknox wrote:

ChopperBill wrote:
If you get it call the factory with the serial number and they will send you a new pair of U bolts to clamp to the stem. No charge.

That's one thing I forgot to mention in my original post, replacing the u-bolts...ASSuming this is a standard Companion mounted to a Turnover Ball base. Also, unless you buy the hitch new, you'll have to pay for the u-bolts. My brother ran into this last year when he bought his used Companion. B&W only replace them for the original owner.

Lyle

When first called to get a price the first gal asked if I was the original owner and I said yes. She then gave me a price of xxxx, can't remember what is was. Second time I called some one else answered the phone and I said what wanted. Didn't ask nothing but name and address. Sent them no charge.

Interesting. I'll pass it on to my bro'.

Lyle

[FlatBroke]

laknox wrote:

ChopperBill wrote:
If you get it call the factory with the serial number and they will send you a new pair of U bolts to clamp to the stem. No charge.

That's one thing I forgot to mention in my original post, replacing the u-bolts...ASSuming this is a standard Companion mounted to a Turnover Ball base. Also, unless you buy the hitch new, you'll have to pay for the u-bolts. My brother ran into this last year when he bought his used Companion. B&W only replace them for the original owner.

Lyle

When first called to get a price the first gal asked if I was the original owner and I said yes. She then gave me a price of xxxx, can't remember what is was. Second time I called some one else answered the phone and I said what wanted. Didn't ask nothing but name and address. Sent them no charge.

[laknox]

ChopperBill wrote:
If you get it call the factory with the serial number and they will send you a new pair of U bolts to clamp to the stem. No charge.

That's one thing I forgot to mention in my original post, replacing the u-bolts...ASSuming this is a standard Companion mounted to a Turnover Ball base. Also, unless you buy the hitch new, you'll have to pay for the u-bolts. My brother ran into this last year when he bought his used Companion. B&W only replace them for the original owner.

Lyle

[FlatBroke]

If you get it call the factory with the serial number and they will send you a new pair of U bolts to clamp to the stem. No charge.

[kennethwooster]

I'm sure there have been problems with a B&W, but have never heard of it just a lot of praises.

[glazier]

The shock absorber on the side is a wear item, also check the draw bolt washer. Everything else you should be able to look at by eye

[laknox]

KMLsquared wrote:
I'm going to be purchasing a used companion hitch tomarow and I was curious what kind of things I need to look for. Any known issues or problems anybody has encountered? I know they are very well respected hitches, has anybody had any trouble at all?

Tia!

Main thing to look for is to be sure the rubber bushings on top of the side pieces are still in good shape. They are bonded to the metal so, if they're bad, the entire side pieces need to be replaced. Not real expensive to do so. This mostly happens if/when someone leaves the cross-piece off for long periods and the sun just rots the rubber. Have seen a couple like this. Just make sure every thing else is working and tight. Not sure they even wear out! 🙂

Lyle