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07-13-2008, 03:02 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Greenwood,IN
Posts: 205
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Anyone that uses the Companion 5th wheel hitch and has problems w/ the head tilting away from the pinbox when the hitch is unlatched due to the lever, here is what I did. I drilled a 3/32" hole in front of the head and also in the front of the baseplate and hooked a 7" long spring to keep the head tilting towards the pinbox. I'd show a picture, but don't know how to do that on this site. I think you can figure it out.
Ed
__________________
Ed and Diane Van Cleave
2008 Excel E33TKE,'08 K3500 DRW, B&W Hitch
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07-13-2008, 03:02 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Greenwood,IN
Posts: 205
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Anyone that uses the Companion 5th wheel hitch and has problems w/ the head tilting away from the pinbox when the hitch is unlatched due to the lever, here is what I did. I drilled a 3/32" hole in front of the head and also in the front of the baseplate and hooked a 7" long spring to keep the head tilting towards the pinbox. I'd show a picture, but don't know how to do that on this site. I think you can figure it out.
Ed
__________________
Ed and Diane Van Cleave
2008 Excel E33TKE,'08 K3500 DRW, B&W Hitch
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07-13-2008, 05:27 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: The Dalles, Oregon
Posts: 544
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That's the one thing that annoys me about the companion. I often do something similar with a bungee cord, and have thought about putting in a spring but just never got around to it...
__________________
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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07-13-2008, 07:14 PM
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#4
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North Central Texas Area Leader
Texas Boomers Club Oklahoma Boomers Club Thor Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Killeen, Texas, USA
Posts: 2,001
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Thats funny I did the same thing and also cut off half the handle so it wouldn't interfere with my tool box. Works for me.
__________________
Don & Pat Allen - Texas Boomers - Honorary Oklahoma Boomers
2003 Keystone Everest 323P - 2003 Dodge Ram 3500
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07-14-2008, 03:53 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: The Dalles, Oregon
Posts: 544
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Maybe someone should forward these ideas to B&W.
It would be nice if it came with a spring, or just a little more weight on the back edge of the hitch from the factory...
__________________
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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07-14-2008, 06:00 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Spokane, WA/Brenda, AZ
Posts: 1,398
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We also have the Companion fifth wheel hitch, but I guess I don't understand the problem. So the hitch tilts backwards...what's the big deal? It's never been a problem for us when hooking up.
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07-14-2008, 06:15 AM
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cypress, Texas USA
Posts: 6,626
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The only problem is that the 5th wheel should be 1/2" or so low relative to the hitch when hitching up. The 5th wheel then slides up onto the hitch's load plate when the truck backs under the 5th wheel. By doing this, "high hitches" are prevented.
If the hitch is tilted back, this is a seamless operation. If it is tilted forward (as is the natural inclination of the B&W hitch), then someone has to tilt it back as the truck backs up, or the 5th wheel has to be raised enough to clear the back of the hitch, then lowered to the desired 1/2" low position once the hitch load plate is under the 5th wheel load plate and before the kingpin engages the hitch jaws.
Rusty
__________________
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie Cummins 6.7L/6 speed auto/4.10LS crew cab LB dually
2004 Doubletree Mobile Suites 36RE3 5th wheel
Come join us on a TEXAS BOOMERS rally!
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07-14-2008, 02:54 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Greenwood,IN
Posts: 205
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Linda,
Congrats on it not being a problem, but it is for most. You have to have the height perfect to hitch up or the leading edges of head get wedged between the pinbox and glide ride plate.
Ed
__________________
Ed and Diane Van Cleave
2008 Excel E33TKE,'08 K3500 DRW, B&W Hitch
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07-15-2008, 06:09 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Spokane, WA/Brenda, AZ
Posts: 1,398
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RustyJC:
If it is tilted forward (as is the natural inclination of the B&W hitch), then someone has to tilt it back as the truck backs up </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Yes, and that's exactly what we do.
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07-15-2008, 06:28 AM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cypress, Texas USA
Posts: 6,626
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Linda,
Glad that works for you. In our case, Sandy is too short to reach over the side of the bed to tilt the hitch back. Therefore, the spring solution eliminates the need to tilt the hitch manually or to raise then lower the 5th wheel.
Rusty
__________________
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie Cummins 6.7L/6 speed auto/4.10LS crew cab LB dually
2004 Doubletree Mobile Suites 36RE3 5th wheel
Come join us on a TEXAS BOOMERS rally!
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07-15-2008, 04:39 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Greenwood,IN
Posts: 205
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Rusty,
I'm with you. I don't want any part of my wife's anatomy in that area when hitching up. Especially when it is not necessary.
Ed
__________________
Ed and Diane Van Cleave
2008 Excel E33TKE,'08 K3500 DRW, B&W Hitch
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07-15-2008, 05:20 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 4,925
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My Reese 20K does the same. I'll install your spring idea ASAP. Thanks!
__________________
"As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances there is a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be aware of change in the air - however slight - lest we bec
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07-16-2008, 06:45 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Spokane, WA/Brenda, AZ
Posts: 1,398
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RustyJC:
In our case, Sandy is too short to reach over the side of the bed to tilt the hitch back. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Me, too, unless I use the step stool!  Earl tilts the hitch back before he gets in the truck and starts backing up.
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07-16-2008, 06:59 AM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cypress, Texas USA
Posts: 6,626
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by LindaH:
Earl tilts the hitch back before he gets in the truck and starts backing up. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
It sounds like the difference may be that your hitch will stay in that position. Mine won't - it immediately flops forward when I take my hand off. Thus, the requirement for the spring to hold the rear of the hitch down during the hitching process.
Rusty
__________________
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie Cummins 6.7L/6 speed auto/4.10LS crew cab LB dually
2004 Doubletree Mobile Suites 36RE3 5th wheel
Come join us on a TEXAS BOOMERS rally!
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