B&W companion setup

[wildernesshd]

just got a deal on a companion 5th wheel hitch to go with My B&W G/N hitch. but have a few questions for any users out there. seems to be a lot of hitch weight being placed on the bed floor, or am I misjudging?
also should there be any reinforcing done under the bed under the rear section of the hitch area, and do these hitches move around any while towing? I havent used it yet, just made sure the height was correct and the pin location is correct. and I know that the ubolts and pull down bolts must be torqued correctly. anything else. i was using a Curt 16k with bed rails until now.

[Sinecure]

I haven't weighed my trailer yet but I figure I'm around 16,000 lbs with the golf cart loaded in the TH garage. There are no signs of movement or any dents in the ridges of the bed floor. It seems the majority of the weight is transferred from the B&W Companion to the goose neck hitch below the bed.

[Miles_Away]

wildernesshd wrote:
just got a deal on a companion 5th wheel hitch to go with My B&W G/N hitch. but have a few questions for any users out there. seems to be a lot of hitch weight being placed on the bed floor, or am I misjudging?
also should there be any reinforcing done under the bed under the rear section of the hitch area, and do these hitches move around any while towing? I havent used it yet, just made sure the height was correct and the pin location is correct. and I know that the ubolts and pull down bolts must be torqued correctly. anything else. i was using a Curt 16k with bed rails until now.

The B&W goose-neck hitch already has cross member supports running between the truck frame rails below the truck bed floor to support the weight. Since you are buying it used, be sure the thin rubber pads are still attached to the bottom of the four corners of the Companion base plate, as they help to keep it from shifting on the steel deck of your truck bed. Just install it, torque the bolts to B&W specs, and enjoy!

[wildernesshd]

will be testing it next month, thanks for the info

[fj12ryder]

I have had no issues with mine on my '01 Dodge dually with the stock setup. However I have read of some trucks, newer ones, that have a problem with the hitch denting the bed. Since it doesn't seem to be a problem with the older trucks, I think there may an issue with the newer frames or bed material.

Most of the weight of the 5th wheel is carried by the hitch pin, just like a gooseneck. IMO if you have movement of the hitch base causing denting of the bed then there is a problem with the hitch mounting hardware or the frame itself. Just what I think anyway.

But it is a wonderful hitch, I've had mine for about 8 years and still love it.

[BlindGuynAR]

Mine doesn't really move, but I've heard if you don't properly torque the shaft bolts it can.

Think of it like a sandwich you squashed together with the GN hitch below the companion hitch on top and the truck bed in the middle. It will all move as one.

It better not need reinforcing or B&W isn't doing their job:). Congrats on the good deal.