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07-03-2005, 01:01 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 396
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Wondering if anyone has experience with the B&W Companion hitch. It starts off as a gooseneck application which is designed to provide you with a flat bed once the pin is inverted and locked back in place. It fits into a receiver similar to that seen on pickups. Or, you can pull the pin and replace it with a 5th wheel head.
I don't know how stable this combo is.. stable from the standpoint of twist.. etc.
Anyhow, if anyone is familiar with this unit or has seen a writeup on it.. I'd appreciate it. Only thing I've seen is, is on the B&W website.
Thanks, Bill
__________________
Bill Splaine, Meridian, ID WA7WS
2022 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE, 2023 MB Sprinter 144" 3500 aka BlauMax (aka GreatWhite), Amateur Radio, Woodcarving and more
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07-03-2005, 01:01 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 396
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Wondering if anyone has experience with the B&W Companion hitch. It starts off as a gooseneck application which is designed to provide you with a flat bed once the pin is inverted and locked back in place. It fits into a receiver similar to that seen on pickups. Or, you can pull the pin and replace it with a 5th wheel head.
I don't know how stable this combo is.. stable from the standpoint of twist.. etc.
Anyhow, if anyone is familiar with this unit or has seen a writeup on it.. I'd appreciate it. Only thing I've seen is, is on the B&W website.
Thanks, Bill
__________________
Bill Splaine, Meridian, ID WA7WS
2022 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE, 2023 MB Sprinter 144" 3500 aka BlauMax (aka GreatWhite), Amateur Radio, Woodcarving and more
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07-05-2005, 08:20 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Paso Robles, CA, USA
Posts: 18
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I have one and towed my 36' trailer with it. I loved it. It didn't have any adverse effects from it's simple connection and was very easy to remove. 10 minutes and one socket. I'm using the gooseneck hitch more now than the fifthwheel so I'm glad I have the ability to use both. I also have to put pallets and other stuff in the back so any rails that stick up would be useless for me. This setup works great. I've put it into 2 other trucks that needed a gooseneck and all have been great. With all 3 we have a Dodge, GMC, and Ford, all with easy installs. Just measure a few times to make sure you get it right.
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07-05-2005, 08:45 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Fayetteville, AR USA
Posts: 98
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I have one and really like it. No problems in 6,000 miles of towing.
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07-05-2005, 10:28 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 396
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Thanks folks.. good input.
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Bill Splaine, Meridian, ID WA7WS
2022 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE, 2023 MB Sprinter 144" 3500 aka BlauMax (aka GreatWhite), Amateur Radio, Woodcarving and more
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07-21-2005, 07:16 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: The Dalles, Oregon
Posts: 544
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I also have one, which I installed myself, and I am happy with it.
It pivots 4 ways, has lots of fore/aft and up and down adjustment, and quite solid looking jaws.
At times it feels like it has a bit of forward/backward give, but then I don't have that much experience with other hitch systems.
I wanted the flat bed in case some day I decided to pick up a beater camper for hunting in places I wouldn't take a 5th wheel.
The down side is I sometimes load a quad in the truck, and taking the hitch in and out requires tools. I might be a bit paranoid, but I actually use a torque wrench on the pinch down bolt...
Edit: I just uploaded a photo of the hitch with head removed in the RV Components category, if interested.
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Dodge Ram dually laramie 4x4 w/jake, B&W, Brakesmart.
Kit Patio Hauler 394F toyhauler 5th wheel
Camo 680 Rincon, Green 500 Foreman, Blk twincam Roadking
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07-21-2005, 09:53 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Point of Rocks, MD
Posts: 11
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I have been using one for a few years and it is very convenient. The flat floor is very nice. The only problem I have is a bit of fore and aft bucking. On a suggestion I added 2x2 angle iron between the hitch and bed, about 6 feet long. This helped condiderably. I am now looking into providing the same support form under the bed. I will try to get the angle iron trimmed to fit into the bottom of the "raised" parts of the bed floor and cut out the vertical part when it crosses the 2 cross frame supports. I will also add additional cross frame supports in front and behing the existing ones. Hope is is clear as mud!
Zeke
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EE, Ham, 25 yr. Boy Scouter, (any WB Owls?), Divemaster, ARC CPR Instructor driving
2004 GMC 32500 SLT CC, LB, D/A SLT (Great White Whale), B&W Turnover, towing customized 2003 HR Presidential 36SKT 5th.
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07-23-2005, 06:49 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1
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I just pulled a 32' fifth wheel about 4,000 miles with one and had zero problems. I didn't have any "bucking" or anything like the other poster. Installed it in a 2005 Dodge 1 ton. Works great.
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07-31-2005, 06:50 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 4
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I have one and when I had a drop in liner it was hard to get it solid enough to prevent some rocking under hard braking. I now have a sprayed in liner and it is very solid now. The hitch relies on the pu bed to gain some regidity. The hitch is well built and hooking up is very easy. I did add a spring to keep the saddle level when hooking up. A paddle lock on the latching lever is a good idea (keeps pranksters from doing serious damage).
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2000 sportsmen 3051p Fiver
99.5 F250 SC PSD LB
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08-23-2005, 07:40 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Glendale,AZ
Posts: 48
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Love mine! It is solid as a rock and I love the smooth bed and goose neck option. It is very well made and and only takes me a couple minutes longer to remove than my old Husky slider.
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Tim
2005 Ford F350 Diesel
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